Not an evolving institution
The final round of the three week long Synod on the family ended in Rome on a tame note, much to the disappointment of the several divorced and re-married Catholics, deemed to be living in sin and denied access to the Eucharist. It also includes couples in live-in relationship and those clamouring for recognition of same -sex unions by the church. Pope Francis’s concluding speech sums it all when he categorically stated that “the synod was not about settling issues and finding solutions to problems faced by troubled families, but rather attempting to see them in the light of the gospel and the church’s 2000- year old tradition. The Holy Father also stressed the indissolubility of marriage between man and woman and the importance of their family as the basic unit of society. Same-sex unions can therefore never be recognized even in the face of external pressure. The message then is loud and clear, that church doctrine doesn’t change with changing times.
A F Nazareth, Porvorim
Promoting football
Compared to cricket, football in India was not at all popular, except in a few states. There were no sponsors worthy of the name and footballers were largely denied the role of stars. The incentives offered were peanuts in comparison. Now all that is changing for the better. ISL has caught the imagination of football lovers all over India. It is also less expensive and much shorter version compared to one day or test cricket, In fact football is vastly popular in Europe, commanding astronomical fees to super stars, whereas cricket is played by a few Nations
ISL is only in second edition but it is gaining in interest. Hordes of enthusiasts are lining up the stadium and the capacity is at its maximum. It is going to pick up steam as never before, as years go by. India’s ranking in world soccer is pathetically low and ISL must infuse more skills, stamina and commitment. Sponsors will not shy away and spectators’ interests and enthusiasm will not ebb.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
A different Goa
The Calangute-Baga-Anjuna has always been a hotbed for tourism activities, particularly of the food and beverages kind. This has now extended southwards to Sinquerim and northwards to Vagator and beyond. Morjim and Arambol too have their own brand of things to see, do, eat and drink. But in all this the government hasn’t really stepped up to the plate and worked on improving infrastructure. We have power cuts by the dozen and the roads are nothing to write home about. There were good roads up to the early 2000s but in the last decade or so, things have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Some of us have been coming to Goa for decades now and we have seen a lot of changes, not many of them for the better. Many friends have moved to Kerala or up North to Manali and Dharamsala. They don’t have the beaches or the inexpensive food (which is not that inexpensive anymore), but they provide decent living. Here were are harassed by cops, overcharged at some restaurants and shacks and fleeced by taxis. This is not the Goa I first stepped into during the early 80s
Faye Austin, London
