GFDO is not defeated
I am writing this as a reply to A F Nazareth's letter on with the headline “Concede defeat”, (The Goan Everyday, October 23). It is very unfortunate to note that the writer hopes that nod from the Centre will bring the curtain down on the highly controversial topic - Mopa but with the same tone, he admits that it is "controversial ". Months ago when ex CM Parrikar was asked how he could float the RFQ without obtaining EC from the respective ministry, he had said that that EC will follow later. How could he say that months in advance? Even a small kid would answer that question and we all know that it is "match fixing". By the way it is pure foolishness on the part of this writer to advise Fr Rebello and his team to concede defeat when the battle has just begun. Sorry to say his misguided thinking that two airports will survive is totally ignorant and goes against the expert advice from the aviation experts such as ICAO and others and not GFDO.
Lawrence Fernandes, Sancoale
Rural healthcare
How can the nation lay claims to development when the government has clearly failed in its endeavour to provide primary healthcare to villagers in the country? Rural Healthcare continues to be the biggest challenge facing the nation. With 68 percent of India’s population living in the villages, the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 has been right in observing that our country is overwhelmingly rural. However, it is quite painful to realize that even today, after decades of independence, the nation’s outlook towards its villages has been deplorable. More than the excuses of doing without the comforts and luxuries afforded by an urban setting, poor economic considerations have been the deterring factor keeping away doctors from setting up practices in distant hamlets. Moreover, poor infrastructure, non-availability of medicine, equipment and even the basics have prompted doctors to stay away from rural hinterlands. The ‘financial implications’ of becoming a qualified medical practitioner is not lost on anyone, especially the doctors. Hence their fondness for shunning the rural scene does appear plausible.
But considering the disproportionate ratio between the needy villagers and the doctors available to treat them, the ‘rural reluctance’ shown by the medical practitioners has resulted in unfortunate tragedies that could have been averted.
Pachu Menon, Margao
Country in turmoil
The prime minister seems to say the right things but there is not action on the ground when his party, other ministers and even laymen either say the opposite of commit atrocities in the name of religion or caste. PM Modi may state that India is a diverse country and we should be proud of it but what about taking action against those who killed, burned and lynched people in Dadri and Haryana? What about the Haryana CM’s statements and others too who have been caught making controversial statements? Right now, this is only lip service by a man who spends all his time out of the country trying to get investments into India. But what about India? The country is in turmoil. Why not clean up the house first before inviting people for dinner?
Sanjay Naik, Mapusa
