Don’t tell them what to do
Several diktats are issued to young girls by various sources on what they shouldn’t wear. The girls are told not to wear jeans, t-shirts, short skirts, leggings, tight churidars and high heeled shoes. Further, they are told not to colour their hair and lips and also not to use gadgets like cell phones and i-pods.
The facts of the matter are that: 1) about 850 million people in India are young, below the age of 35 years who do not like restrictions on their freedom; 2) the apparel, fashion designing and cosmetic industries are so huge and competitive that they flood the print and electronic media with stunning ads which sweep the youngsters off their feet and 3) the costumes and dresses used by actors in the popular films are so suggestive that they take one’s breath away. While moderation in choice and modesty in dress are always desirable, rigid diktats is hardly the answer in the present scenario. A better approach would be one which has less dictating and more motivating.
Rodney D’Souza, Assagao
Plea to voters
Please recall the times we have been frustrated with the behaviour of our elected councillors and could do nothing about it. The same councillors who, as candidates, had come with joined hands at our doorsteps five years back, begging for our votes and promising us the moon. The end result was there for all to see. The garbage mounds kept piling up, a drizzle turned roads into ponds, the footpaths and roads turned to hawker zones, honest citizens were deprived of their construction documents while illegal constructions mushroomed all over our cities. Parking chaos prevailed and high-rise buildings without an inch of parking space were allowed to rise. Encroachment became a legitimate term and could be indulged in freely.
At last the five years have ended and it’s our turn to vote again. This is a fervent appeal to all the voters of all municipalities. Shun all the dubious and selfish candidates. Here’s hoping to see educated, cleaner, caring and efficient municipal councils in the future. Lest we forget. Beware of candidates fielded by politicians. We know what to expect of them.
James Monteiro, Loutulim
Unfeasible concept
In your lead editorial "Viable heritage" in the issue of The Goan Everyday, October 19, you argue that "Simply defined, with regards to areas, retrofitting is a process of adding something that did not exist when it was created, or in this case, built." Kindly note that architectural or geographical features are simply concrete expressions of an entire way of life or a culture which was the context of the time in which these features were built. The "heritage" consists of the non-tangible, non-visible spirit of the times. It is rather foolish to argue that the heritage of a period can be changed or enhanced or improved in any way by "adding something that did not exist when it was created or built." One can add physical [architectural] features or plumbing systems to a heritage area, but this could hardly be called "retrofitting." It is simply additions, modifications, improvements or whatever you may want to call it. Smart cities are another such stupid idea which is being sought to be imposed by some vested interests on the gullible Goan public.
Averthanus L. D'Souza, Dona Paula
