[Goanet] The Great Indian Fire Sale (Dhaka Tribune, 27/8/2021)

[V M]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/08/27/op-ed-the-great-indian-fire-sale

It is a gala week for Indian kleptocrats, after finance minister Nirmala
Sitharaman announced an extraordinary 80 billion dollar privatization
programme encompassing 13 different sectors of the economy, including
stadiums, railways, airports, warehouses, housing, power lines, mobile
towers, coal mines, highways, and much more.

The greatest sell-off in the country’s history has the potential to be even
more far-reaching in significance than the wholesale capture of state
assets that occurred at the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

At that time, the transition from Mikhail Gorbachev’s *perestroika* to
Boris Yeltsin’s roughly market-based free-for-all gave rise to monopolistic
oligarchs, and, inevitably, Vladimir Putin’s barely concealed “grand
bargain” that – according to Wikileaks revelations – foreign diplomats
openly acknowledge functions as “a mafia state.”

But the situation in India at the moment is even more dangerous, because
what happened in the debris of the USSR started from relative scratch,
amidst somewhat mitigated inequality.

Whereas the Indian fire sale will take place in pandemic circumstances,
when the balance of the political economy has already shifted heavily in
favour of a tiny fraction of special interests.

The fact is, in the last 12 months alone, an astonishing 50 new dollar
billionaires have officially emerged from India (according to the latest
Hurun Global Rich List, compiled in Beijing). According to that tally –
which surely leaves out many much less-documented fortunes – the country
now has 209 billionaires, third only to China and the USA.

These are people who have prospered during a global catastrophe, whose net
worth skyrocketed even as the national economy shrunk, during the same time
as the number of desperately poor people in the country has doubled.

All the gains of the past decade have gone to them, and now they will own
the most prized national assets as well.

There is doublespeak galore in the “National Monetization Pipeline” project
reports, starting from the name itself, which purposefully implies the mere
conveyance of assets rather than their peremptory disbursement.

The NITI Aayog strategists who came up with this nomenclature brainwave
also highly dubiously refer to peddling off the apex achievements of Indian
infrastructure as “brownfield assets.”

It is not an entirely original approach – although “brownfields” are
generally understood to be degraded, and often abandoned – but rather
misleading when referring to, for instance, the spectacular Konkan Railway,
the brilliant Mumbai airport, hundreds of thousands of kilometres of
optical fibre networks, or the Nehru stadium in New Delhi.

“The prime minister is in the process of selling the crown jewels of this
country,” said Rahul Gandhi after Sitharaman announced her plans, “It took
70 years to build this massive infrastructure. People’s money was involved
but now these are being sold to 3-4 people. As soon as these become
monopolies, employment opportunities would be shrunk. Small business,
medium business will not exist.”

Swiping back, the BJP’s own Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (he is the Union Minister
for Minority Affairs) rather amusingly termed the Congress Party itself as
“a non-performing asset which has no value.”

Meanwhile, other opposition parties have joined the fray, including the
Trinamool Congress Party’s chief minister in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee
called the BJP plans “a shocking and unfortunate decision. These are
national assets that belong to the country. These are not prime minister
Modi’s or the BJP’s assets. They are selling the country.”

This is an emotional approach. It has to be balanced with the reality of
India’s economy foundering badly, with the terminally sclerotic bureaucracy
proving spectacularly incompetent about managing many of the most important
national assets (see Air India for just one among many billion-dollar
disasters).

So, while privatization has to be considered in some cases, it should also
be noted that it isn’t inevitably always a disaster. Ever since Ronald
Reagan started the global shift – he famously exhorted, “don’t just stand
there, undo something” – there has undoubtedly been value unlocked both for
the public and private sectors, to the benefit of citizens and consumers
alike. British Airways is one leading example.

To find out what he thought about this dilemma, I reached out to Nitin Pai,
the co-founder and director of the Takshashila Institution, one of the
country’s leading public policy thinktanks.

Pai carefully parsed the situation: “The argument that entities that find
favour of the government of the day will benefit is quite likely true; but
cannot be used to exercise a veto. It's not as if a different government
will act in a lofty manner.”

Thus, “at one level, it doesn't matter who picks up the asset; as long as
there is competition, and rules that 

[Goanet] The Portuguese colonial band

[Frederick Noronha]

https://archive.org/details/Lowell_Stories_-_The_Portuguese_Colonial_Band
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ᐧ

[Goanet] Schedule for Saturday 28th August 2021

[CCR TV]

CCR TV GOA
Channel of God's love✝

You can also watch CCR TV live on your smartphone via the CCR TV App
Available on Google PlayStore for Android Platform.
Click the link below.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ccr.tv4
Email ID:  ccrgoame...@gmail.com

Schedule for Saturday 28th  August 2021

12:00 AM
Rosary - Joyful Mysteries

12:24 AM
Our Father - Spanish

12:26 AM
Aikotanv - Talk by Orlando D'Souza

12:51 AM
Hymn - Saibinichi Bhett Tujea Ghorant - Fr Ronaldo Fernandes

1:00 AM
Mass in Konkani for Friday

1:45 AM
Music - Roy and Tammy - 3rd Anniv

2:00 AM
Saibinnichi Ruzai - Sontosache Mister

2:26 AM
Devachem Utor  - Dhormdutancho Itihas - Avesvor 19 - Vachpi Orlando D'Souza

2:39 AM
Pauline Book and Media Centres

2:55 AM
My Music Videos - Argam - Ivor Dcunha

3:00 AM
Literally Goa  - Leonard Fernandes  interviewed by Frederick Noronha

3:26 AM
My Music Video - Soirik'kar - Matchmaker - Mil-Mel-Nel

3:32 AM
Kuznantlim Zogddim - Eps 3 - Coffee - Meena Goes and Julius Mesquita

3:43 AM
Songs - Sonia Shirsat - 3rd Anniv

4:00 AM
Adoration led by Godfret Pereira

4:37 AM
Hymn - Prayer of St.Ignatius of  Loyola sung by Irene Rocha

4:41 AM
Ximpientlim Motiam - Bhag 47 -  Bhokti - Priti - Fr Pratap Naik sj

4:47 AM
Healing - Talk by Fr Thamburaj sj

5:12 AM
Tum Jezucho mog Kortai? - Talk by Fr Joseph da Silva

5:36 AM
Hymn - Mhojea nanvan ekthaim zalleam- Fr Seville Antao OFM(Cap)

5:38 AM
Talk - Prudence - SJVRC

6:04 AM
Hymn - I Believe

6:08 AM
Prophets and Prophetic Literature 2 - Fr Michael D'Cunha

6:32 AM
Secularity and Holiness - Giorgio Mazzola

6:52 AM
Hymn : Rochnar Atmea - Winston Colaco

6:57 AM
Sokalchem Magnnem  -  Bhagevont

7:00 AM
Konkani Mass at Merces Church  followed by Jivitacho Prokas

7:45 AM
Morning Prayer  -  Men and Women Saints

7:50 AM
Bhajans 1

8:20 AM
Devacha Utor - Hebrevank - Avesvor 4 - Vachpi Orlando D'Souza

8:29 AM
Role of Mary in the life of a Christian - Fr Raju OP

8:55 AM
Couples Prayer (Konkani)

9:00 AM
Bhokti Lharam - Bhag  26

9:10 AM
Ami Kiteak Bhogsunk zai? - Cassino D'Costa

9:48 AM
Magnificat (Konkani)

9:50 AM
Pauline Book and Media Centres

10:06 AM
Prayer - Talk by Fr Oscar Nazareth op

10:56 AM
Poem - Ruzai by Sandhya Fernandes

11:00 AM
Wealth out of Waste - Jewellery

11:11 AM
Prayer : Benedictus

11:15 AM
Angelus - English

11:17 AM
Intercessions - English

11:30 AM
Mass in English from Panjim  Church followed by Daily Flash

12:15 PM
Aikotanv - Talk by Orlando D'Souza

12:42 PM
Bible Project - Gospel of Mark in brief

12:47 PM
Hymn - Mercy Lord- Fr Seville Antao OFM(Cap)

12:50 PM
Rosary of St Joseph Vaz

1:12 PM
Nattkulem - Amcho Fuddar - Fr Milagres Dias

1:30 PM
Song - Someda Soon - By Ernie, Alan and Tony

1:35 PM
Our Father - in Punjabi

1:37 PM
Konkani Short Film on Self Empowerment - Payar Ubo

1:45 PM
Devachi khuxi amchea jivitachi - Nazareth D'Costa

2:02 PM
Noman Marie Kurpen Bhorlole - Reflection by Br Malvino Alfonso OC

2:20 PM
Hymn - Saviour of the World H.S. Loutolim

2:23 PM
What's Cooking? Episode 4

2:48 PM
Career Guidance - I.I.T. Goa - Prof. B. K. Mishra interviewed by Basil
D'Cunha

3:11 PM
Senior Shepherds  - Fr Rufino Coutinho sj  interviewed by Sheena Barnes

3:27 PM
Bhagevont Zuze Vazache mozotin Bhurgeancher Magnnem

3:30 PM
Deivik Kaklutichi Magnneam

3:40 PM
Pastoral Letter 2021-22 - Talk in English- Fr Aaron  Magalhaes

3:57 PM
Prayer of children for their parents

4:00 PM
Rosary - Joyful Mysteries

4:23 PM
Tell Me a Story  - Eps 37 - Moses Leaves Egypt

4:30 PM
Senior Citizens Exercises - 8

5:00 PM
Praise and Worship - Francis Fernandes followed by Daily Prayer to the Holy
Spirit

5:26 PM
Spiritual Direction - Savio Mascarenhas

5:54 PM
Dance - Hai Maa Mariam

6:00 PM
Aimorechen Magnnem

6:03 PM
Life is Worth Living - Talk by Sr Sirisha Kota

6:13 PM
Amchem-xim Rav - Theme Hymn of Pastoral Year

6:17 PM
Intercessions - Konkani

6:30 PM
Konkani Mass at Merces Church  followed by Jivitacho Prokas

7:15 PM
Ximpientlim Motiam - Bhag  156  - Irena Sendler - Fr Pratap Naik sj

7:26 PM
Music - Bavarth - Fr Eusico Pereira

7:30 PM
Saibinnichi Ruzai - Sontosache Mister

7:56 PM
My Music Video - Mosaic City - Daneca Da Cruz

8:00 PM
Importance of Prayers and God's Word - Godfrey  Pereira

8:32 PM
Literally Goa  - Maria Do Ceu Barreto  interviewed by Frederick Noronha

9:00 PM
Adoration - Godfrey Pereira

9:37 PM
Ratchem Magnem

9:54 PM
Devacha Utor - Hebrevank - Avesvor 5 - Vachpi Orlando D'Souza

10:00 PM
CCR TV Concert - Highlights 1 - Music

10:32 PM
Amchi Bhas Amche Borovpi  - Anselm Gomes interviewed by Daniel F. de Souza

10:57 PM
Pornography - Sr Joeyanna D'Souza fsp

11:23 PM
Health Matters - AIDS - Dr Wanda Viegas

Donations may be made to:
Beneficiary name : CCR GOA MEDIA.
Name of Bank : ICICI Bank
Branch Name: Panaji Branch
RTGS/NEFT Code : ICIC015
Savings Bank Account No : 262401000183

[Goanet] Darjeeling Tea And Antiques

[Roland Francis]

DARJEELING TEA AND ANTIQUES.

Hutoxi Marfatia and her sister Pervin Dhanjeebhoy had been living on the ground 
floor of a three storey building in the Five Garden area of Dadar for the last 
four decades. Before Pervin moved in, Hutoxi lived with her husband Homi 
Marfatia. Then one day because of deficiency complications arising from his 
blood group G6PD , Homi died. Hutoxi was at the time 38 years old and 
childless. Soon her unmarried younger sister Pervin moved in with her.
When Homi had passed away Hutoxi wept for days together, hugging one of his 
white muslin gloves, which for some odd unknown reason he always wore only on 
his right hand. Eventually she decided to enshrine her Homi's glove. Hiloo 
crocheted a thick yet intricate, fine white lace border around Homi's glove and 
turned it into a treasured collectible, mounting and framing it .
When Piloo came to live with Hiloo she too brought her prized possesion with 
her. A gold gilded framed painting of Queen Victoria. Piloo and this painting 
were inseperable. Their grandfather Rustom Dhanjeebhoy, when he had retired 
from his Bombay Port Trust service, had been presented with this painting for 
impeccable service to the Crown. Since their childhood Hiloo and Piloo would 
keep staring at the painting on the wall, sighing and lovingly exclaiming " 
APRI RANI!"

Hiloo's drawing room was an Antique collector's delight!. Along with the teak 
wood rocking chair and huge chest, there was a handsome mahogany Grandfather 
Clock at least 200 yrs old in a corner of the room. A magnificent old oakwood 
piano stood against a wall. The rose wood dining table was covered with a 
gorgeous lacy white crocheted table cloth handmade by Hiloo.
Hiloo was a master at crochet. Her home was filled with different kinds of 
exquisite pieces. Table cloths, runners, doilies, bedcovers, piano top runner, 
cushion covers, coasters, beaded crocheted drinking glass coversthe works! 
Her friends would exclaim in awe,
"Wow! Hiloo kem fine pieces che! Just like the original Irish lacy stuff the 
British ladies decorated their homes with during the Bombay Presidency era! 
Superb!" Blushing with pleasure and pride Hutoxi would acknowledge the 
compliments with modesty saying, " Come now Armaity! Dont compare my humble 
hand made pieces with the royal laces the British wives possesed"
Pat would come Armaity's reply, 
"Are rava de! Your creations are just as exquisite!"
Both Apri Rani and Homi's white muslin Glove were now displayed on the wall in 
front of the couch in Hiloo's drawing room. The sisters would sit for hours 
together with a beatific smile plastered on their faces staring at their 
treasured collectables. 
Once a visiting guest had innocently asked, " did Queen Victoria wear this 
white glove?"

Hutoxi and Pervin were much loved by the entire neighbourhood. Everyone called 
them Hiloo aunty and Piloo aunty. 
Bommy (Boman Dhanjeebhoy) Hiloo and Piloo's nephew visited them often he adored 
his aunties. He thought they were adorable though a bit cuckoo in the head!
Bommy's Dad Aspi often told him,
, "don't get too close to my sisters, they both are crazy! One day they will 
become a huge problem in your life, I am warning you. Leave them alone."
Bommy had said with anger, " just because you have abandoned them I cannot do 
the same. They are so harmless and loving. If I don't look in on them from time 
to time they could be in trouble!"
Aspi annoyed had said, " you will get into trouble one day, then don't cry. 
Harmless? My foot! They are stark raving MAD! who enshrines a measly GLOVE!?"
Bommy said, " Rava de Pappa!"
He was over protective of his aunts, because they being a bit soft in the head 
Bommy felt they could unknowingly come in harm's way.

Forty years down the line Hiloo was now 78 and Piloo 77. They both still wore 
flower printed tailor stitched gathered frocks, their hair snow white tied 
neatly into a bun was secured in black netting at the nape of their neck. Both 
wore gold rimmed spectacles and fuschia pink lipstick. Both were fair 
complexioned, their Persian lineage unadulterated. Their cheeks were rosy even 
at this age. 
The craziest thing about them, Bommy thought was that they constantly smiled. 
Ofcourse outsiders thought they were just lovable, cute old women but Bommy 
knew it was something to do with their maternal grandmother Ava bai Hormosjee 
who had spent the last days of her life in a Mental Institution in Balsar. But 
Bommy still loved his cutie pies. He visited them once a week religiously on a 
Sunday. The minute Hiloo and Piloo would see him they would clap their hands 
gleefully saying " our Baabo has come to visit us!"

This Sunday Bommy found his sweeties even more gregarious. They fussed over him 
feeding him his favourite "jardaloo salli margi". Piloo aunty was the master 
chef. While Bommy hogged Hiloo aunty sat next to him fanning him with a 
Japanese hand fan. Bommy found this most unnecessary as the ceiling fan was on 
t

[Goanet] Ku Klux Klan - The secret history of the KKK (in two parts) | DW Documentary

[Cecil Pinto]

Dear Mervyn,

How many times do I have to remind you that GoaNet is Rico's personal turf
and fan club. You and me exist here at his discretion and he decides who
can post what.

Now recently he has discovered Whatsapp Groups and is running them
similarly and disastrously by just kicking out anyone who opposes him.

Great fun watching.

Cheers!

Cecil
=



Message: 2
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2021 02:08:52 + (UTC)
From: Mervyn Lobo 
To: Goanet ,  "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb.
1994!" 
Subject: Re: [Goanet] Ku Klux Klan - The secret history of the KKK (in
two parts) | DW Documentary
Message-ID: <978483024.262004.1629425332...@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 This has something to do with Goa? Or Goanet or Goans?
Mervyn


On Thursday, August 19, 2021, 02:48:19 p.m. CDT, Frederick Noronha <
fredericknoron...@gmail.com> wrote:

 https://youtu.be/aDCyjdHPPtI
https://youtu.be/x99pzn1dAWc

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_/? FN * ?  * ???  +91-9822122436
_/? See a different Goa here, via
_/? https://youtube.com/c/frederickfnnoronha

[Goanet] Unitech, which is in trouble in Delhi, has connections in Goa too

[Frederick Noronha]

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ex-unitech-directors-sanjay-chandra-ajay-chandra-to-be-shifted-from-delhis-tihar-jail-to-mumbai-prisons-says-supreme-court-2519374
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_/  FN * फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
_/  See a different Goa here, via
_/  https://youtube.com/c/frederickfnnoronha
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/


ᐧ

[Goanet] Zuaris...

[Frederick Noronha]

In case you missed it, the Birla-owned Zuari Agro Chemicals had sold some
months back to the Paradip Phosphates for over Rs2000 crores.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/zuari-agro-chem-sells-goa-fertilizer-plant-to-paradeep-phosphates-for-280-million/articleshow/81177204.cms?from=mdr


But then Paradip is itself some complex linkup between Adventz (Poddar,
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/adventz-group-faces-challenge-as-zuari-agro-chemicals-shuts-plant-120071300032_1.html),
ZAC and some Morocco-based OCP Group. (Formerly Office Chérifien des
Phosphates), It is the world's largest producers of phosphate and
phosphate-based products.

Take a look at this (about Morocco owning 70% of the world's phosphates):
https://youtu.be/MCElHas5vbc

FN

ᐧ

[Goanet] Afghanistan - Land of endless war | DW Documentary

[Frederick Noronha]

https://youtu.be/L7e6tejlTNw

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_/  FN * फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
_/  See a different Goa here, via
_/  https://youtube.com/c/frederickfnnoronha
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/


ᐧ

[Goanet] ABUSE OF POWER BY RAJENDRA ARLEKAR

[Aires Rodrigues]

Rajendra Arlekar assumed charge as Governor of Himachal Pradesh on 13th
July and in less than two months he has merrily made so many trips to Goa.
This is all an unnecessary burden on the Exchequer.

If Rajendra Arlekar cannot serve the State of Himachal Pradesh by detaching
his mind from our land of fish, feni and fun he should perhaps seek a
transfer as Governor of Goa.

It’s expected that once taking charge, the Governor cuts all his links with
his former political party and petty politics. And if politics is his
inclination, it is a call Rajendra Arlekar would have to take. But it is
absolutely inappropriate and gross abuse of Power to be hopping from Simla
to his home in Goa so often. He cannot have his cake and eat it. Being a
Governor is a full time job that has to be taken seriously. He should know
better how Goa was disadvantaged by having a part time Governor for almost
a year.

Hopefully at least after becoming Governor, Rajendra Arlekar has
surrendered his HP petrol pump dealership “Om Shree Vetobaa” at Vasco to
make way for somebody unemployed.He continued with it illegally after
becoming an MLA.

Clause 7 of the Hindustan Petroleum guidelines specifically requires that
the dealer should be paying attention towards day-to-day working of the
petrol pump by personally managing its affairs and is not allowed to take
up any other employment.

Sadly, persons of Eminence and Integrity in public life are today rare to
find.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues

C/G-2, Shopping Complex

Ribandar Retreat

Ribandar – Goa – 403006

Mobile No: 9822684372

Office Tel  No: (0832) 2444012

Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com



You can also reach me on

Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues

Twitter@rodrigues_aires

www.airesrodrigues.in

[Goanet] He was a baby on 9/11. Now he’s one of the last casualties of America’s longest war.

[Roland Francis]

Born in the time of an idiot and died in the time of another idiot. I am 
relieved not to be in the shoes of his grieving parents.

He was a baby on 9/11. Now he’s one of the last casualties of America’s longest 
war.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/world/asia/marine-killed.html?referringSource=articleShare

Roland.
Toronto.

Re: [Goanet] The Great Indian Fire Sale (Dhaka Tribune, 27/8/2021)

[Mervyn Lobo]

VM,Tanzania auctioned most of its state owned properties in the 1980s as it 
transitioned from a planned economy to a free market one. 
The bottom line was that the state received 10% of the value of the enterprise 
being auctioned and the state officials received 40% of the value of the 
enterprise. 

This is the main reason for the timing of the sale of state assets. 
Mervyn



On Friday, August 27, 2021, 3:42 AM, V M  wrote:

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2021/08/27/op-ed-the-great-indian-fire-sale

It is a gala week for Indian kleptocrats, after finance minister Nirmala
Sitharaman announced an extraordinary 80 billion dollar privatization
programme encompassing 13 different sectors of the economy, including
stadiums, railways, airports, warehouses, housing, power lines, mobile
towers, coal mines, highways, and much more.

The greatest sell-off in the country’s history has the potential to be even
more far-reaching in significance than the wholesale capture of state
assets that occurred at the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

At that time, the transition from Mikhail Gorbachev’s *perestroika* to
Boris Yeltsin’s roughly market-based free-for-all gave rise to monopolistic
oligarchs, and, inevitably, Vladimir Putin’s barely concealed “grand
bargain” that – according to Wikileaks revelations – foreign diplomats
openly acknowledge functions as “a mafia state.”

But the situation in India at the moment is even more dangerous, because
what happened in the debris of the USSR started from relative scratch,
amidst somewhat mitigated inequality.

Whereas the Indian fire sale will take place in pandemic circumstances,
when the balance of the political economy has already shifted heavily in
favour of a tiny fraction of special interests.

The fact is, in the last 12 months alone, an astonishing 50 new dollar
billionaires have officially emerged from India (according to the latest
Hurun Global Rich List, compiled in Beijing). According to that tally –
which surely leaves out many much less-documented fortunes – the country
now has 209 billionaires, third only to China and the USA.

These are people who have prospered during a global catastrophe, whose net
worth skyrocketed even as the national economy shrunk, during the same time
as the number of desperately poor people in the country has doubled.

All the gains of the past decade have gone to them, and now they will own
the most prized national assets as well.

There is doublespeak galore in the “National Monetization Pipeline” project
reports, starting from the name itself, which purposefully implies the mere
conveyance of assets rather than their peremptory disbursement.

The NITI Aayog strategists who came up with this nomenclature brainwave
also highly dubiously refer to peddling off the apex achievements of Indian
infrastructure as “brownfield assets.”

It is not an entirely original approach – although “brownfields” are
generally understood to be degraded, and often abandoned – but rather
misleading when referring to, for instance, the spectacular Konkan Railway,
the brilliant Mumbai airport, hundreds of thousands of kilometres of
optical fibre networks, or the Nehru stadium in New Delhi.

“The prime minister is in the process of selling the crown jewels of this
country,” said Rahul Gandhi after Sitharaman announced her plans, “It took
70 years to build this massive infrastructure. People’s money was involved
but now these are being sold to 3-4 people. As soon as these become
monopolies, employment opportunities would be shrunk. Small business,
medium business will not exist.”

Swiping back, the BJP’s own Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (he is the Union Minister
for Minority Affairs) rather amusingly termed the Congress Party itself as
“a non-performing asset which has no value.”

Meanwhile, other opposition parties have joined the fray, including the
Trinamool Congress Party’s chief minister in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee
called the BJP plans “a shocking and unfortunate decision. These are
national assets that belong to the country. These are not prime minister
Modi’s or the BJP’s assets. They are selling the country.”

This is an emotional approach. It has to be balanced with the reality of
India’s economy foundering badly, with the terminally sclerotic bureaucracy
proving spectacularly incompetent about managing many of the most important
national assets (see Air India for just one among many billion-dollar
disasters).

So, while privatization has to be considered in some cases, it should also
be noted that it isn’t inevitably always a disaster. Ever since Ronald
Reagan started the global shift – he famously exhorted, “don’t just stand
there, undo something” – there has undoubtedly been value unlocked both for
the public and private sectors, to the benefit of citizens and consumers
alike. British Airways is one leading example.

To find out what he thought about this dilemma, I reached out to Nitin Pai,
the co-founder and director of the Takshashila

[Goanet] Life-Work Balance For Goa Police

[Roland Francis]

Pity the poor Goa Police constable.

He has to meet ‘challan’ targets, stand for hours on end doing ‘bandobust’ duty 
during processions and VIP motorcades. He has to bow and scrape before every 
official who is filled with his own importance (aren’t they all) and to crown a 
day of exhausting work, he has to face the wrath of his wife who is always 
nagging him to bring in more money than Constable Pednekar three doors away who 
has 3 flats.

So can you blame Constable Lobo (not to be confused with MLA Lobo who has 
confessed to owning 12 bungalows, all legally, leaving one to imagine how many 
illegally, if he decides to bring some temporary diversion in his otherwise 
miserable life. 

Why spend on massage parlours? Why threaten vulnerable village women or 
overstaying tourists and risk his job? Constable Lobo does not cut a dashing 
figure due to poor nutrition and the only exercise confined to greasing his 
palms, thus leaving him few options.

Do why the big fuss when he finds someone ready, willing and able to test his 
libido right there and then in an official car which will be cleaned of all 
tell-tale material as soon as he turns it in. That too within duty hours. Mind 
you, all this for free because Constable Savitri herself has similar work 
pressures to lighten like Constable Lobo.

Who said there is a god? Indeed a god would have kept a prying wife away. A god 
would have ensured that even if the wife had a prying nature, she would not 
have peered into the darkened windows of a police car. Has god no concept of a 
work-life balance at all?


https://ingoanews.com/two-goa-police-constables-caught-in-the-act-full-story/

(Link thanks to Goan Voice UK.

Roland. 
Toronto.