(PUT IN BOX)
Nowadays, it has become a trend in Goa to oppose everything. Like many places in the state, people in Chandor and Guirdolim are facing problems cellphone connectivity problems due to lack of adequate mobile towers. If we step inside shops, houses, banks, etc, the phone shows no signal. Everyone uses mobiles, but what's the use of owning a phone when there is no connectivity? We move around with mobile phones in our pockets and go about telling everyone about the lack of network. There are many people who live alone in the homes, and in such cases, a mobile phone is is a absolute necessity. But it seems we are still living in the stone age. If you pass through other villages or towns, connectivity is not an issue, but this problem still persists in Chandor and Guirdolim. People emphasise on the need for good mobile connectivity, but on the other hand there are those who are also strongly against setting up of mobile towers.
Ronnie D'Souza, Chandor
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Time for a worthy change
The world today talks about women's rights and gender equality. And it is high time that America also steps out of its mould and elects a lady at the helm of affairs. Countries like Germany, Israel, Brazil, Venezuela, Philiphines, Britain, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have reposed their faith in women a long time ago. For the very first time in the political history of USA, an opportunity has opened up where USA, an advanced nation, can demonstrate that there is no discriminatory attitude per se ever towards sexes.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
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No grand alliance?
AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi has reportedly told his party's MLAs in Goa to bring Congress back to power in 2017, asking them to keep personal interests aside and instructing the local leadership to field candidates in all 40 constituencies. This has probably put to rest any chances of a grand alliance. Be that as it may, it seems that Rahul Gandhi is probably being optimistic about the party’s prospects in Goa, or is not well aware of the ground reality. A few leaders are reportedly on their way out from the party. Congress has just about got in the election mode and needs to do a lot of ground work in order to reach out to the electorate and regain their confidence. It is understood that the Congress high command is looking at the Goa polls as a first step towards rejuvenating the party, following a series of debacles in the last three years. It may seem that it has chosen the wrong state for this. The party didn't even play the role of an effective opposition in the Assembly. If the Congress did think of a “mahagathbandan” in Goa then it would have had a better chance of posing a real challenge to the ruling BJP.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
