Fruitful ideas
The Portuguese introduced several fruit plants in India and hence, we are enjoying some of them in Goa. Our seamen or Goans in general, visit or work in several countries around the world but seldom does anyone bring any fruit seeds or plants to grow in their own backyards. There are ‘hundreds’ of exotic fruits can be grown in India and many tropical fruits can also be grown in Goa. Furthermore, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is always willing to provide valuable information on growing such fruit trees. I hope our Goemkars will make an effort to use their fertile land wisely and not by only planting common trees that offer nothing new to see and eat. Let us not forget that eating a variety of fruits promotes good health.
Augustus Alphonso, Vasco
Cleaning up India
It’s Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, It is also going to be one year for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the cleanliness drive across the country.
Although it was a simple initiative, it started well off last year. Fortunately many stars and organizations campaigned for it with great zeal. Many municipalities, villages, offices, societies have taken this program seriously and this there was a good response. A year has been passed now since starting the awareness campaign, a review has to be carried out now to check on how we progressed.
Today we can hardly see anyone smoking cigarettes in public places and this is due to decision being taken to ban smoking in public places years ago. Likewise cleanliness is also going to be a long process. We need it to continue till our next generation gets a clean India as an inheritance. Better late than never we as part of this society have to analyze how we have assisted and shall contribute to society for a cleaner nation and bring our nation to equality to other cleaner nations.
Sunil Lotlikar, Margao
Spotlight woes
Narendra Modi’s ‘manhandling’ of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg was show online and on tv for all to see. Modi’s move to shove Zuckerberg out of the way so the cameras could catch the prime minister having a friendly chat with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg was a clear attempt to hog the spotlight. But, more than that it was a foolish move. It’s embarrassing when the Indian premier, or the head of state of any country acts like this. Someone should explain to him that merely making speeches isn’t going to endear him to Big Business. Actions do speak louder than words.
Prakash Chanda, Calangute
Judiciary on Digambar
I find it very strange that a judge has withdrawn from Digambar Kamat's case. Something does not seem right here. Can the relevant authorities take action get to stop the future delay justice? I think also there has to be an inquiry into this latest incident.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
