[Goanet] LETTER TO THE EDITOR (KEEPING APPROACHING LENT SEASON IN MIND)
From: Augustine Coelhoaugustine18coe...@rediffmail.comSent: Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:49:48To: Joaquim Fernandestoi@timesgroup.com,Joaquim Fernandesjoef...@gmail.com,Daily Navprabhanavpra...@gmail.com,goa.n...@tarunbharat.com,goadootgoad...@rediffmail.com,Daily Pudharipudhari...@rediffmail.com,newsd...@dainikgomantak.com,goanobser...@gmail.com editoredi...@dainikgomantak.com,featu...@thegoan.net,goatoda...@gmail.com,vinayaknai...@gmail.com,goa...@rediffmail.com,goadescgoad...@gmail.com,prudentmediagoai...@prudentmedia.in,goaworldtodaygoaworldto...@yahoo.com,miguelbraganzamiguelbraga...@yahoo.co.in,joegoaukjoego...@yahoo.co.uk,Benedict Lobobenedictl...@gmail.com,Edward Verdes ot;eddiever...@hotmail.com,goa-book-c...@googlegroups.com,n...@sezariworld.com,i...@goenche.com,Bevinda Collacoedi...@targetgoa.com,Violet pereiraviolet...@gmail.com,wee...@daijiworld.com,goanet@lists.goanet.org Subject: LETTER TO THE EDITOR From, ;AUGUSTINE COELHOHouse No. 892, Naika-Vaddo,& nbsp;Aldona, Bardez,Goa. 403 508. p; Date: 06/02/2018To,The Editor,Panjim, Goa.Dear Sir,Kindly publish this letter in your esteemed daily.Is it permitted or even tolerable to place a Resurrected Image of Christ on the wooden Cross behind the Main Altar ? At the Mass, we are at the foot of the cross, Mass does not represent Holy Thursday, and it does not represent Easter Sunday. It is an actual sacrifice of the cross. Also, looking at the Crucifixion of Our Lords suffering is important for each of us because in our suffering looking up at the Crucifix gives us support when things are heavy on our own souls. I have seen in several Churches the Ri sen Christ; it makes me sad, because before the glory, comes SUFFERING and our young Catholics and perhaps even converts are not learning this. The Mass is a commemoration and re-enactment of Calvary, the Crucifixion, and the Sacrifice.The Modern Churches views the mass as a community meal, a representation of the last supper. They do not see the mass as a sacrifice. They think the image of Christ Crucified is depressing and they repeat the protestant talking point that Traditional Catholics want to put Jesus back on the cross. They forget that Holy Scripture says, 1 Corinthians :[23]But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness.Most Catholic Churches which were built before the radical changes of Vatican II would never have such a choice of Religious Decoration placed behind a Main or High Altar. The Proper More Appropriate Decorat ion would be that of a Calvary scene, even that of Our Blessed Lady, or a particular Saint in the back ground - in order to highlight the true meaning of the Mass - as a Sacrifice which is what happens at every True Valid Mass - though in an Unbloody Manner. Unlike the Protestants theirs is more of a happy meal !!!Thanking you,Yours truly,Augustine Coelho.E-mail:- augustine18coelho@rediff.comTel.: 9225909023Attachment Image of Resurrected Christon the wooden Cross behind the Main Altar.
[Goanet] LETTER TO THE EDITOR
KINDLY ACCEPT FOR PUBLICATION IN YOUR NEWSPAPER DR NEIL RANGELSANTO ESTEVAM, GOA(CURRENTLY IN UAE 00 971 558954717) The elections have been a disaster for the honest Goan from all fronts. Bad enough that the legislature has been taken over in a case of broad daylight robbery by political thugs with no ethics or conscience of any kind. Worse; two constitutional authorities have failed to defend the constitution when called upon to do so - the Goa governor and the Supreme Court itself. The silence of the President of the country is inexplicable. I am not an INC supporter but the election results did give the INC the mandate to attempt toform the government and in a democratic setup that we claim to have; they should have first been invited first. The issue at stake is morals and ethics in politics and public life and Mr. Parrikar has proven to the Goan people he has very little of these. Everything(engineering U-turns by the independents and smaller parties) seems pre-planned well before the election results. What has happened is nothing but an assault on and the murder of democracy and the Supreme Court ruling is unknowingly party to this. The Supreme court judgment has failed to safeguard the Indian Constitution and its high ideals. This Supreme Court judgment is flawed and has not been helpful on this - an opportunity was lost to set a healthy precedent for future similar electoral outcomes in states in the future. The judge it seems is too naive and does not understand how dirty Indian politics is and how crooked and calculating perpetrators of this filth are. Judges are bound to uphold democratic principles - not a mob like system where the fastest rogue gets the prize. This is not a rat race. Quoted in an article; the eminent jurist Fali Nariman also disagrees with this judgment -this judgment simply missed the point that the constitutional principle is not about who rushed first but about who should have been called first. He said that: " the Constitution as well as judicial precedents laid down that the Governor was obligated to call the leader of the single largest party first to form the government..". The silence of the honorable President of the country is deafening - wonder what may be wrong. He has a solemn obligation to protect and safeguard the Constitution and honest citizens against abuses by unscrupulous elements in power. The judgment is an open invitation for future political horse-trading in a primitive political system that's flooded with opportunistic crooks and political turncoats - what can now be called the golden age of political pimping and political prostitution - analogous to a situation where a crooked pimp entices a dishonest prostitute to go to bed with him; by leaving on the sly in the middle of the night despite the client having paid the full price. Off course; no marks for guessing which politicians in Goa fit these descriptions. Hopefully these terms will gain more widespread acceptance and politicians will be labeled as such for all to know how crooked they are. Goa has the misfortune of having a subservient BJP stooge as a Governor - she recently endorsed the local BJP stand that the sacred coconut tree is no different from grass than can be chopped down at will; does not matter that they have hurt the religious sentiments of many concerned Hindus in Goa . One often wonders if she has a moral spine or any reasonable intellect. She should have refused to give assent to the legislation damning the coconut tree and in these elections; she should have invited the INC to attempt to form the government. This election has also had its fair share of money power being used for votes. The outcome of the FIR filed against one MLA(well known for his habit of distributing 500 INR Goa Bagayatdar grocery coupons through his cronies/panchayat members to the greedy) will be a test case for the efficacy of the election commission and the investigating agencies in our democracy. It is an open fact that these were being distributed this time even after the code of conduct came into effect. The good thing we are told is that many Goans did not accept them. I am no supporter of the INC but their leaders cannot be blamed - this is not a rat-race for time as the judge makes it out to be - we pride ourselves of being a mature democracy; but the judge should have insisted that in all fairness; the Governor should have first called the party with the largest share of elected representatives to form the government and prove their majority within a specified time-frame.Goans now have a failed defense minister as chief minister. Worse he's an insult to all those who accompanied him to the candle-light vigil against the casinos many years back when he was in the opposition. I call on all concerned Goans to continuously protest in large numbers in a peoples power movement. Crooks have to be shown the door. This
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor
--- Annual Goanetters Meet --- Annual Goanetters Meet - December 28, 2015 - 11:00 am Fundacao Oriente, Mala, Altinho, Panjim, Goa http://bit.ly/FundacaoOrienteGoa The Fundao Oriente carries out cultural and artistic activities in India with, for historical and cultural reasons, special emphasis on the State of Goa. Looking forward to seeing you there --- The shoddy and biased way in which the whole investigation into the murder of Fr. Bismarque Dias has been conducted is a textbook case of how to 'stitch up' the evidence to produce a pre-planned 'verdict' by devious sleight-of-hand. First we were asked to believe that Fr. Bismarque consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, and then 'entered the water' for the 'first' time and the 'second' time, all of these 'times' determined solely on the testimony of the 'boys' who allegedly were with Fr. Bismarque and ought to have been regarded as prime suspects or accomplices to murder but for inexplicable reasons haven't. But this is passed off as fact, in particular by a section of the press and television that quite conveniently is owned by people with interests in real estate and mining, two industries that Fr. Bismarque strongly opposed when they broke the law and harmed the environment. Then, when the alcohol intoxication myth was dispelled by forensic evidence from the viscera study, we were, against all logic, asked to believe that the absence of alcohol actually proved the absence of foul play. How exactly it did this, could never be explained, not in any logical manner. In fact, all those empty bottles ought to have tipped the police off that there were many others involved in the death of Fr. Bismarque. If he didn't consume the alcohol, it must have been consumed by others who should at the very least be brought in and interrogated. We have seen no attempt by the police to look into this angle at all. And now, the latest conjuror's trick is the diatom test, the magic wand that seems to prove beyond doubt (as all the papers gleefully proclaim on their front pages) that there was "no foul play". How exactly? All it proves is that Fr. Bismarque met his end where he was found. It cannot tell us anything more than this. All circumstantial evidence, including the blood-stained patch of earth by the water body where it is almost certain Fr. Bismarque was beaten and tortured, the finger-printing of the bottle caps and other material evidence at the site, all of been deliberately botched. The eye-witnessed injuries on the body of Fr. Bismarque have been discounted, and very little can be done now about this, as time will have taken its inexorable course on these findings. And now, in the absence of all of these, we are left with one measly diatom test and efforts will be made to close the case on the 'strength' of this alone. Fr .Bismarque had filed a police complaint that he had received death threats from some people, just a day or two before he met his tragic end. Why have these people not even been rounded up and interrogated? What about all the others that Fr. Bismarque had opposed over the years, politicians, builders, mine-owners, all of whom would have had a very strong motive? Why haven't they been called in for questioning? Those of us who knew Fr. Bismarque knew that he had not left the church of his own volition, but had been asked to leave. He said this explicitly to me more than once. Why are we now being asked to believe that he 'voluntarily' left the church when he didn't? There is a taped record of a telephone interview where he clearly admits that he did not want to leave the priesthood. How is one supposed to have justice if there are forces at work that can manipulate all the institutions that are meant to be unbiased and impartial? The murder of Fr. Bismarque, and the woeful spineless handling of the investigation into his death will go down as a black patch in Goa's history. The people of Goa are angry, upset, disappointed and depressed in every possible way by this gross miscarriage of justice. Best wishes, Luis Dias - Dr. Luis Dias www.luisdias.wordpress.com Project Director Child's Play (India) Foundation www.childsplayindia.org
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald)
Letter to the Editor (Herald) Lawrence Fernandes’ piece “In the LIne of Fire! Alina Saldanha” makes some relevant points. It is true that because of Ms. Saldanha holding the Environment & Forest portfolio, her government found itself beset with delays in getting its clearances for various projects that are on its agenda for speedy implementation. It is a pity however that Ms. Saldanha did not see fit to take a public stand on the Mopa Airport project, and the alleged illegal felling of a number of trees in Tiracol. I guess if Parrikar belied the hopes of Matanhy, then it was also forgotten that Matanhy had spent years of his life collecting information to prove that the Navy occupation of Dabolim was allegedly illegal and that he had spoken out vehemently against the proposed Mopa Airport project time and again. I also feel compelled to point out very regretfully that if the BJP government broke its promise to Goans to grant Special Status if it came to power at the Centre, then Alina Saldanha was also guilty of breaking her promise to Goans to resign if it was not granted. In fact, had she kept to her word, perhaps she might have been taken more seriously both by her government as well as the people of Goa whom she professes to serve. After all, grant of Special Status was a major plank in the BJP pre election promises. We should not have to demean ourselves by begging for something that was promised. Because if the BJP knew that grant of Special Status was not possible, then it appears that it has wilfully misled the Goan electorate. The latest political tactic in recent times, appears to be creation of a façade of publicly speaking out against the actions of the Government whilst brazenly supporting it politically. Vishnu Wagh’s utterances at the Matanhy Saldanha Memorial Lecture on ‘Remembering Matanhy the Man and the cause’ questioning whether the Government’s decisions really benefit Matanhy or further deprive him of what is rightfully his is a prime example of this. If these MLAs truly believe what they are saying, then how do they justify supporting the ideology and character of such a party and the serious impact the actions of this government will have on Goa and Goans. These MLAs need to look within and ask themselves whether it is right to run with the hare even whilst they are hunting with the hounds. Diana Pinto
[Goanet] LETTER TO THE EDITOR
sirPK was a contrived ,pretentious film which certainly did not work for me. of course it had a nice social message told nbsp;humorously and Aamir was a complete knockoutHowever, it must be admitted that the movie took full scale liberties with the Hindu faith to drive its point home, something iT would never have attempted with other religious beliefs.That the vast majority of hindus took this in their stride, laughed it off and rejected calls for its ban , makes me believe that the liberal values of HINDUISM will forever remain alive and the narrow minded bigotry of HINDUTVA may notDR.OSCAR REBELO
[Goanet] LETTER TO THE EDITOR for you esteemed daily/forum / From a Senior Tiatrist to a Senior Tiatrists' Friend/Well-Wisher.....
www.goa-world. comGULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994) http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ http://www.colaco.net/ http://www.live365.com/index.live Tumcam Maie-mogacho ieukar. Stay tuned to Gulf Goans e-Newsletter - everyday someone, somewhere learns a little.Editor Sir / madam, Sending here below my LETTER TO THE EDITOR for you esteemed daily. Please do the needful. Thanks Regards, Wilmix (Tiatrist) Konkani Tiatrists strongly oppose Governments move to take an undertaking from Konkani Tiatrists to not criticize Governmentâs policies. We are not living under any colonialists nor are we under any dictatorial regime. Are we? Goa is an integral part of Mother India and India is a Democracy where freedom of speech and freedom of expression is guaranteed to every citizen by our Constitution. The move by the Ravindra Bhavan Authorities (Margao) to demand an undertaking from Konkani Tiatrists under threat to deny them booking of the Halls smacks of the Salazar regime during the Portuguese era. Are we moving forwards in our democracy or are we moving backwards ? Are these the âacche dinâpromised to us before the Loksabha Elections? Whatever âcover-upsâthe Government of Goa may now do on this issue , it is obvious now that this is very much âa trailerâof many such arm-twisting tactics to come. It is true that we Tiatrists do criticize the Government in power for any anti-people policies and we have been doing this for the last 125years be it BJP or Congress Government or any other Partyâs Government for that matter. This is our right. In fact this is the essence of our democracy. We the Konkani Tiatrists will strongly oppose such a move and we are sure the entire nation along with the Press and Media will be with us on this issue. Wilson Mazarello (Senior Tiatrist) SHARON MAZARELLO SHARON MAZARELLO ...CHEDDUM...the Girl! does a Hat Trick! It has been selected to be screened at the 1st Maharashtra Short Film Festival, 2014, this May 24th at Pune, Maharashtra. View on www.sharon-shamazf... Preview by Yahoo ++ But will TAG comment on this or are we pleased to called each and every on in TAG to claim the PadmaShri award. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Every individual has a place to fill in the world, and is important in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not.
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor: The AYES have it in Konkani
Many people used to wonder why the Speaker of the Goa Assembly used to go through the following'Aye'ritual when passing a motion or bill. This is when the Speaker says - Those in favour of the motion/bill say Aye, (MLAs in favour chant Aye) Those against say No (MLAs against chant No). Then the Speaker says 'The Ayes (or Noes as the case may be) have it, the Ayes have it, the Ayes have it. The motion is passed / rejected.' In fact there were some who heard the phrase as 'The EYES have it...' This phrase which originated in the House of Commons, the English parliament. It originated at a time when there were no amplification systems and the MPs voice needed to be heard if they wanted to raise an objection. So in order that their voice could be heard and they would have enough time for their objection to be heard by the Speaker of the House the Speaker would repeat the phrase, 'The ayes have it ...' THREE times. The current Speaker of the Goa Assembly Rajendra Arlekar has come up with an innovation at least in the Goa Assembly. He says the 'Ayes ...' phrase thus: 'Zanem hai mhuntat tanem hai mhunchem; Zanem nam mhuntat tanem na mhunchem. Zankam hai/nam mhuntlam tankam zai tashem zalem.' He says this phrase twice, (which is a mistake) and not thrice as should be done. Anyway now no one need be confused as to why the Eyes have it! Augusto Pinto Moira -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal Moira, Bardez Goa, India E pinto...@gmail.com P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350
Re: [Goanet] letter to the editor
Joao Barros must know that Manohar Parrikar was the CM and Digamber Kamat was the deputy CM n Mines Minister in the erstwhile BJP gorment of Goa. At that time he did not know what the Centre was doing or Digamber was doing? He has come to know this of late? Cheers floriano goasuraj - Original Message - From: Joao Barros-Pereira joaobarrospere...@gmail.com To: goanet goa...@goanet.org Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 3:55 PM Subject: [Goanet] letter to the editor No Policy, Best Policy? As the issue of illegal mining grows hotter by the day, there is emerging a pattern which is slowly becoming clear to everybody. The previous government of Goa, with regard to mining or any other sector, had a policy which has so far proved to be unbeaten: no policy is the best policy! One thing is for sure, it is not an easy game to play, and so we need to sympathize with CM Parrikar who will need more time to solve a complicated problem of a huge scam which is wrapped in the enigma of mining in Goa. No easy task, this. But, with no success so far, does it mean CM Parrikar is not going to succeed? He needs more time but don't underestimate the man. He will finally encage the cat or is it rat?
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
From: Mario Rebello mario_rebe...@hotmail.com Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst Thank you Dr., for your realistic comments and support to the Gulfies in your response. You have indeed clearly explained to what I meant by de-fleeting in my e-mail. Yes, the civil aviation authorities could easily allocate this route to either Kingfisher or Jet Airways who offer better service and cheaper fares. Tony, if you have never travelled to the Gulf by AI or any other airline, I would advise you to refrain commenting on this concern of us. We know what we are experiencing on these ageing A320 Airbus aircrafts and that?s the reason I have invited you to be my guest to travel at my expense to Kuwait and experience it for yourself. Cheers !! Mario Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:57:36 -0400 Subject: Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst From: cola...@gmail.com On 12 September 2011 02:45, Tony de Sa tonyde...@gmail.com wrote: [1] I have never traveled to the Gulf by Air India or for that matter any other airline. [2] My beef against Mario Rebello was about him asking for the scrapping of an airplane BECAUSE of a burst tyre or two. [3] Because the bath water is dirty, one doesn't throw the baby with it. My dear Tonybab, Once again, Thank you very much for the courtesy of your response. I have also read Bosco's and Agnello's response. Bosco is on the button. (Truncated) In conclusion, while I read about unending discussions (FN/Nunes) and agree in part with them, it would be unwise IMHO not to escalate this discussion. It is very important to the lives and welfare of our brother Goans from the Gulf. I'd suggest that we access more discussion sites and agencies until the problem is noticed and acted upon. At the very least, some other Airlines (with better service and lower fares) will be allowed to fly the Gulf-Goa route . ps: I could not help wonder How Agnello was able to agree with both Tony and Mario - when Tony did not agree with Mario! Have a good day all jc TONY DE SA: I was seriously considering taking the good Doctor's advice not to escalate this discussion. However as I had said that I had never traveled to the Gulf on AI or any other airline, Mario has made a very generous offer to broaden my travel education (by Air India). As an educator (retired albeit) I am compelled to graciously accept the offer so that in turn I may pass on the fruits of my education to others. Cheers, Doc, its always nice to discuss issues with you. Hope it is sunny in the Bahamas. Never been there too. -- Tony de Sa tonydesa at gmail dot com
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane TyreBurst
Mario Rebello: Agnelo, appreciate your comments on my letter to the editor and yes people who have never travelled by AI should refrain in making comments. I am a frequent flier with AI to Goa for so many years and have been travelling 4 times a year to Goa, (Truncated) COMMENT: Mario you are getting your wires crossed here. I have NOT said that I have never traveled by AI. What I have said is : I have never traveled to the Gulf by Air India or for that matter any other airline. There is a small but subtle difference in the two sentences. Just because I have never traveled to the Gulf by AI does not mean that I have never traveled by AI. Cheers. -- Tony de Sa tonydesa at gmail dot com
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane TyreBurst
On 13 September 2011 02:27, Tony de Sa tonyde...@gmail.com wrote: [1] I was seriously considering taking the good Doctor's advice not to escalate this discussion. [2] Just because I have never traveled to the Gulf by AI does not mean that I have never traveled by AI. COMMENT: re#1: what jc had said: It would be unwise IMHO not to escalate this discussion. re#2: If one has not traveled on AI to / from the Gulf, one is unlikely to know what is being said. Of all the AI flights I have taken, I found the AI Gulf service special, jc
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
Dotor Bab, I have never traveled to the Gulf by Air India or for that matter any other airline. My beef against Mario Rebello was about him asking for the scrapping of an airplane because of a burst tyre or two. Because the bath water is dirty, one doesn't throw the baby with it. -- Tony de Sa tonydesa at gmail dot com
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
Thank you Dr., for your realistic comments and support to the Gulfies in your response. You have indeed clearly explained to what I meant by de-fleeting in my e-mail. Yes, the civil aviation authorities could easily allocate this route to either Kingfisher or Jet Airways who offer better service and cheaper fares. Tony, if you have never travelled to the Gulf by AI or any other airline, I would advise you to refrain commenting on this concern of us. We know what we are experiencing on these ageing A320 Airbus aircrafts and that’s the reason I have invited you to be my guest to travel at my expense to Kuwait and experience it for yourself. Cheers !! Mario Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:57:36 -0400 Subject: Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst From: cola...@gmail.com To: tonyd...@gmail.com; goanet@lists.goanet.org On 12 September 2011 02:45, Tony de Sa tonyde...@gmail.com wrote: [1] I have never traveled to the Gulf by Air India or for that matter any other airline. [2] My beef against Mario Rebello was about him asking for the scrapping of an airplane BECAUSE of a burst tyre or two. [3] Because the bath water is dirty, one doesn't throw the baby with it. My dear Tonybab, Once again, Thank you very much for the courtesy of your response. I have also read Bosco's and Agnello's response. Bosco is on the button. My I add that your disagreement with Mario has allowed further discussion on this very emotive issue for Goans who work in the Gulf and who for about 3 decades have been pivotal in supporting the economy of village-Goa. You will surely agree that these Goans, crudely referred to as 'Gulfies', struggle in some very inhospitable conditions and not so conducive work environments in order to support their families back home. It is important for me to digress here and state that (at least) initially - they were compelled to find work in the Gulf - in order to support their families (especially the senior members) who were faced with the significant increase in the cost of basic living (incl. food) under the new dispensation, now that Salazar's subsidies were no longer available to keep the cost of living down. I have read Mario's post several times over. I could not find support for your argument in #2 above. All I can see wrt this point is: were to be de-fleeted from the Air India (Indian Airline) Fleet and were to be replaced by new ones (Mario). Defleeting, I submit is NOT the same as scrapping, and was most likely a Management ( Risk Management) conclusion. There obviously was a safety concern. And while 'accidents' can happen at any time and for no particular reason, it must be quite unnerving for our Goan brothers and sisters to travel on planes which are in such deplorable conditions (internally at least), especially when they hear that the planes were to be 'defleeted', and know about recent issues with Air India. In conclusion, while I read about unending discussions (FN/Nunes) and agree in part with them, it would be unwise IMHO not to escalate this discussion. It is very important to the lives and welfare of our brother Goans from the Gulf. I'd suggest that we access more discussion sites and agencies until the problem is noticed and acted upon. At the very least, some other Airlines (with better service and lower fares) will be allowed to fly the Gulf-Goa route . ps: I could not help wonder How Agnello was able to agree with both Tony and Mario - when Tony did not agree with Mario! Have a good day all jc
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane TyreBurst
Agnelo, appreciate your comments on my letter to the editor and yes people who have never travelled by AI should refrain in making comments. I am a frequent flier with AI to Goa for so many years and have been travelling 4 times a year to Goa, and so are my colleagues at work, Goan Rig Engineers who are on a monthly rotation. The pictures that I have clicked are authentic and were clicked on AI flight AI 976 30th August 2011. I have travelled to the US, Canada, China and all the Gulf countries and I know the huge difference in all respect i.e. of the airline, service and the airports. It is a pity to see the recent disgusting state of affairs happening at AI. If I compare China aircrafts and airports in the different provinces I have travelled, I feel very sorry for India since we are far far behind our neighbors. It is so disappointing to know that the NRI desk is hardly concerned on NRI issues. Those organizations who pose to be the custodians of the Goans hosting the Goan Conventions should be taking up these issue to the NRI commissioners office and giving us the feedback. So far what has been the outcome of these conventions?? It is a sheer waste of time and money, and that’s the reason I did not even attend the NRI convention held in Kuwait. The Keralites have a very strong NRI organization NORKA http://www.norka.gov.in/ and I invite my fellow Goans to visit this website. I am officially going to e-mail Mr. Eduardo Faleiro asking him to take up this matter with the Civil Aviation Ministry to look into our grievances seriously, and would further like to see what Mr. Faleiro’s response is to the Goan community. Sincerely, Mario From: agne...@amcq8.com To: tonyd...@gmail.com; goanet@lists.goanet.org; cola...@gmail.com CC: mario_rebe...@hotmail.com; gaspercra...@hotmail.com; gasperalme...@gmail.com; nee...@hotmail.com; mdco...@gulfcustody.com; norman...@hotmail.com; bjs...@emirates.net.ae Subject: Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane TyreBurst Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:32:41 +0300 Hello Everyone, I fully support Mr. Mario Rebello and Mr Tony in their comments on Air India's tyre burst. Anyone who has never travelled by Air India on Gulf route should refrain from making comments on their level of service. If the photos uploaded by Mario are authentic, its a total disgrace as being frequent traveller on other airlines I have never witnessed a part of toilet seat cover missing on any other carriers. Probably AI has the patent of that design. Not being an expert on technicalities of engineering it would be incorrect to comment on that specific tyre burst issue but very evident of torn carpet, corrision of paint of the over head lightning and worn out seat should be of a concern to any serious passenger as precursor to accident waiting to happen. The only flaw in Mr Marios letter is that he is addressing his complain to a person who is deaf for NRI issues and only busy organizing Goan conventions abroad. Probably these issues dont come under his jurisdiction. I have had a bad experience with him last year when he personally promised me in one of the Goan conventions in Oman to assist me in an issue I could not resolve. However he acted in a La Gajini style of not recognizing me when I tried to meet him in Goa the very next month. I wanted to register my son in Goan register of births. He is born in Kuwait holds a valid Indian passport. If someone on this forum knows the procedures how to do it please enlighten me. Mr. Faleiro who promised to assist me made an U turn. Regards Agnello On Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:56:05 -0400, J. Colaco jc wrote: Tony de Sa wrote thus to Mario Rebello: Sir do you scrap a car, even a new car when one or more of its tires burst? The pictures you have shown in your post merely refer to cosmetic blemishes.what aspect of operational performance of the aircraft does it compromise? For that matter which of the pictures you have clicked compromise the safety of the aircraft? And BTW who do you think has broke the seat, some uncouth passenger who has stood on the seat? RESPONSE: My dear Tonybab, I am very not sure if you have experienced an Air India flight on the Gulf route. I have, and I personally know and understand what Mario Rebello has expressed. The AI service to and from the Gulf is the pits. The ground staff are rude, the air staff are obnoxious and the planes' interiors are in poor shape. Not being an engineer, I cannot opine further on the planes. While one understands that many of the folks who travel to and from the Gulf, are labourers, they still pay premium fares. Besides, they are customers. There is NO justification for the crappy service that AI provides on that sector. It is true that much of the interior of the planes and (esp) the toilets are messed around by passengers. It is,
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane TyreBurst
Hello Everyone, I fully support Mr. Mario Rebello and Mr Tony in their comments on Air India's tyre burst. Anyone who has never travelled by Air India on Gulf route should refrain from making comments on their level of service. If the photos uploaded by Mario are authentic, its a total disgrace as being frequent traveller on other airlines I have never witnessed a part of toilet seat cover missing on any other carriers. Probably AI has the patent of that design. Not being an expert on technicalities of engineering it would be incorrect to comment on that specific tyre burst issue but very evident of torn carpet, corrision of paint of the over head lightning and worn out seat should be of a concern to any serious passenger as precursor to accident waiting to happen. The only flaw in Mr Marios letter is that he is addressing his complain to a person who is deaf for NRI issues and only busy organizing Goan conventions abroad. Probably these issues dont come under his jurisdiction. I have had a bad experience with him last year when he personally promised me in one of the Goan conventions in Oman to assist me in an issue I could not resolve. However he acted in a La Gajini style of not recognizing me when I tried to meet him in Goa the very next month. I wanted to register my son in Goan register of births. He is born in Kuwait holds a valid Indian passport. If someone on this forum knows the procedures how to do it please enlighten me. Mr. Faleiro who promised to assist me made an U turn. Regards Agnello On Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:56:05 -0400, J. Colaco jc wrote: Tony de Sa wrote thus to Mario Rebello: Sir do you scrap a car, even a new car when one or more of its tires burst? The pictures you have shown in your post merely refer to cosmetic blemishes.what aspect of operational performance of the aircraft does it compromise? For that matter which of the pictures you have clicked compromise the safety of the aircraft? And BTW who do you think has broke the seat, some uncouth passenger who has stood on the seat? RESPONSE: My dear Tonybab, I am very not sure if you have experienced an Air India flight on the Gulf route. I have, and I personally know and understand what Mario Rebello has expressed. The AI service to and from the Gulf is the pits. The ground staff are rude, the air staff are obnoxious and the planes' interiors are in poor shape. Not being an engineer, I cannot opine further on the planes. While one understands that many of the folks who travel to and from the Gulf, are labourers, they still pay premium fares. Besides, they are customers. There is NO justification for the crappy service that AI provides on that sector. It is true that much of the interior of the planes and (esp) the toilets are messed around by passengers. It is, however, the responsibility of the Airline to fix the problems. If they cannot, they should not be in the business of operating flights on that lucrative(or any other) route. AI might save India a lot of money by just givihanding over the routes to (say) Jet or Kingfisher and quit flying altogether. Mario's states that he felt insecure on the flight. A rusty, rattling airplane is not one which engenders 'security'. It is NOT a car, he has writing about. In a car, one has the option of just getting off and walking. It is a plane, for crying out loud. Often times, the carelessness with which the interior is kept, might provide a perception/clue that the mechanics/avionics are handled no better. AI probably uses 25 year old Airbuses on the Gulf route. If they are adequately maintained, they should run well for some more years. Unfortunately, it appears when a company makes an annual loss of just under a Billion US$ and at the moment, is about 9Billion US$ in debt, who knows IF any short-cuts are taken in the field of maintenance. http://tinyurl.com/golmal jc
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
On 12 September 2011 02:45, Tony de Sa tonyde...@gmail.com wrote: [1] I have never traveled to the Gulf by Air India or for that matter any other airline. [2] My beef against Mario Rebello was about him asking for the scrapping of an airplane BECAUSE of a burst tyre or two. [3] Because the bath water is dirty, one doesn't throw the baby with it. My dear Tonybab, Once again, Thank you very much for the courtesy of your response. I have also read Bosco's and Agnello's response. Bosco is on the button. My I add that your disagreement with Mario has allowed further discussion on this very emotive issue for Goans who work in the Gulf and who for about 3 decades have been pivotal in supporting the economy of village-Goa. You will surely agree that these Goans, crudely referred to as 'Gulfies', struggle in some very inhospitable conditions and not so conducive work environments in order to support their families back home. It is important for me to digress here and state that (at least) initially - they were compelled to find work in the Gulf - in order to support their families (especially the senior members) who were faced with the significant increase in the cost of basic living (incl. food) under the new dispensation, now that Salazar's subsidies were no longer available to keep the cost of living down. I have read Mario's post several times over. I could not find support for your argument in #2 above. All I can see wrt this point is: were to be de-fleeted from the Air India (Indian Airline) Fleet and were to be replaced by new ones (Mario). Defleeting, I submit is NOT the same as scrapping, and was most likely a Management ( Risk Management) conclusion. There obviously was a safety concern. And while 'accidents' can happen at any time and for no particular reason, it must be quite unnerving for our Goan brothers and sisters to travel on planes which are in such deplorable conditions (internally at least), especially when they hear that the planes were to be 'defleeted', and know about recent issues with Air India. In conclusion, while I read about unending discussions (FN/Nunes) and agree in part with them, it would be unwise IMHO not to escalate this discussion. It is very important to the lives and welfare of our brother Goans from the Gulf. I'd suggest that we access more discussion sites and agencies until the problem is noticed and acted upon. At the very least, some other Airlines (with better service and lower fares) will be allowed to fly the Gulf-Goa route . ps: I could not help wonder How Agnello was able to agree with both Tony and Mario - when Tony did not agree with Mario! Have a good day all jc
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
A question to the author of the post with the above subject line, Mr. Mario Rebello: Sir do you scrap a car, even a new car when one or more of its tires burst? The pictures you have shown in your post merely refer to cosmetic blemishes. The broken toilet seat that you have so thoughtfully and painstakingly photographed, what aspect of operational performance of the aircraft does it compromise? For that matter which of the pictures you have clicked compromise the safety of the aircraft? And BTW who do you think has broken the seat, some uncouth passenger who has stood on the seat? Please do not misunderstand me. I am not absolving AI for the cosmetic state of the aircraft. But to consider scrapping a plane merely because a tyre or two of them burst is ridiculous. -- Tony de Sa tonydesa at gmail dot com
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
Tony de Sa wrote thus to Mario Rebello: Sir do you scrap a car, even a new car when one or more of its tires burst? The pictures you have shown in your post merely refer to cosmetic blemishes.what aspect of operational performance of the aircraft does it compromise? For that matter which of the pictures you have clicked compromise the safety of the aircraft? And BTW who do you think has broke the seat, some uncouth passenger who has stood on the seat? RESPONSE: My dear Tonybab, I am very not sure if you have experienced an Air India flight on the Gulf route. I have, and I personally know and understand what Mario Rebello has expressed. The AI service to and from the Gulf is the pits. The ground staff are rude, the air staff are obnoxious and the planes' interiors are in poor shape. Not being an engineer, I cannot opine further on the planes. While one understands that many of the folks who travel to and from the Gulf, are labourers, they still pay premium fares. Besides, they are customers. There is NO justification for the crappy service that AI provides on that sector. It is true that much of the interior of the planes and (esp) the toilets are messed around by passengers. It is, however, the responsibility of the Airline to fix the problems. If they cannot, they should not be in the business of operating flights on that lucrative(or any other) route. AI might save India a lot of money by just givihanding over the routes to (say) Jet or Kingfisher and quit flying altogether. Mario's states that he felt insecure on the flight. A rusty, rattling airplane is not one which engenders 'security'. It is NOT a car, he has writing about. In a car, one has the option of just getting off and walking. It is a plane, for crying out loud. Often times, the carelessness with which the interior is kept, might provide a perception/clue that the mechanics/avionics are handled no better. AI probably uses 25 year old Airbuses on the Gulf route. If they are adequately maintained, they should run well for some more years. Unfortunately, it appears when a company makes an annual loss of just under a Billion US$ and at the moment, is about 9Billion US$ in debt, who knows IF any short-cuts are taken in the field of maintenance. http://tinyurl.com/golmal jc
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
On Sun, 11 Sep 2011 08:55:37 -0700, Tony de Sa wrote: …. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not absolving AI for the cosmetic state of the aircraft. But to consider scrapping a plane merely because a tyre or two of them burst is ridiculous. Tony de Sa tonydesa at gmail dot com COMMENT : I do not believe these tires burst on landing! I read in one of the dailies that neither the passengers nor the pilot were aware of any untoward incident happening until a ground personnel observed the tires when taxing off the runway. Neither the passengers nor the crew/pilots felt anything unusual on landing as well as taxing off the runway. The tower too had not observed any smoke emission from the landing gear which is usual when a burst tire occurs. In my contention (I may be wrong); the tires, i.e. the hind two tires of the nose wheel assembly do not bear any stress on touchdown in landing, nor after the nose landing during which de-acceleration starts. It only bears full stress when taxing. The Physics behind is that planes land on their wing wheel assembly and once the nose is lowered and the de-acceleration starts, the greatest friction is on the frontmost wheels. I therefore presume that these hind tires must have got deflated during takeoff from Kuwait and got mangled during de-acceleration and taxing off the runway at Goa. In other words, the Airbus landed only utilising the two inflated front wheels of the nose wheel assembly. Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falcão.
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
Dear Dr. Colaco, Thanks for doing the needful in replying to Tony, your answer is a fitting reply on Tony's comments. His comments are hollow as in the first place he compares an aircraft to a car. If Tony is based in Kuwait let him contact me and I would be glad to discuss it further with him. If he is based some where in the Gulf and not a AI traveller, I am willing to sponsor a free ticket for Tony to experience AI flight to Goa on the age old Airbus 320. Kind regards, Mario Rebello Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:56:05 -0400 Subject: Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst From: cola...@gmail.com To: tonyd...@gmail.com; goanet@lists.goanet.org Tony de Sa wrote thus to Mario Rebello: Sir do you scrap a car, even a new car when one or more of its tires burst? The pictures you have shown in your post merely refer to cosmetic blemishes.what aspect of operational performance of the aircraft does it compromise? For that matter which of the pictures you have clicked compromise the safety of the aircraft? And BTW who do you think has broke the seat, some uncouth passenger who has stood on the seat? RESPONSE: My dear Tonybab, I am very not sure if you have experienced an Air India flight on the Gulf route. I have, and I personally know and understand what Mario Rebello has expressed. The AI service to and from the Gulf is the pits. The ground staff are rude, the air staff are obnoxious and the planes' interiors are in poor shape. Not being an engineer, I cannot opine further on the planes. While one understands that many of the folks who travel to and from the Gulf, are labourers, they still pay premium fares. Besides, they are customers. There is NO justification for the crappy service that AI provides on that sector. It is true that much of the interior of the planes and (esp) the toilets are messed around by passengers. It is, however, the responsibility of the Airline to fix the problems. If they cannot, they should not be in the business of operating flights on that lucrative(or any other) route. AI might save India a lot of money by just givihanding over the routes to (say) Jet or Kingfisher and quit flying altogether. Mario's states that he felt insecure on the flight. A rusty, rattling airplane is not one which engenders 'security'. It is NOT a car, he has writing about. In a car, one has the option of just getting off and walking. It is a plane, for crying out loud. Often times, the carelessness with which the interior is kept, might provide a perception/clue that the mechanics/avionics are handled no better. AI probably uses 25 year old Airbuses on the Gulf route. If they are adequately maintained, they should run well for some more years. Unfortunately, it appears when a company makes an annual loss of just under a Billion US$ and at the moment, is about 9Billion US$ in debt, who knows IF any short-cuts are taken in the field of maintenance. http://tinyurl.com/golmal jc
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
-Original Message- The pictures you have shown in your post merely refer to cosmetic blemishes. The broken toilet seat that you have so thoughtfully and painstakingly photographed, what aspect of operational performance of the aircraft does it compromise? For that matter which of the pictures you have clicked compromise the safety of the aircraft? And BTW who do you think has broken the seat, some uncouth passenger who has stood on the seat? RESPONSE: In this day and age, Customer Service is a core part of any business. Is AI really concerned about losing customers? Would torn carpets, broken toilets, etc be tolerated on Jet Airways, Kingfisher, SpiceJet, etc??? More than likely somebody would have been reprimanded. Vijay Mallya exhorts passengers to send him feedback directly on Page 2 of his inflight magazine. The Gulf routes have been a cash-cow for AI for several decades. If Goan gulfies have a choice of flights, they should exercise their options. But to consider scrapping a plane merely because a tyre or two of them burst is ridiculous. RESPONSE: Mario's comments seem to indicate he is a seasoned traveller on that route. How do we establish the age of the subject aircraft? I recollect AI purchasing (or leasing) A320s in the mid-80s and then again several more in the 90s. The Indian Govt has been discussing a huge order for over 100 aircraft for the past several years. More than likely held-up by politiking!! At the end of the day, can the flag carrier, with its huge debt-load, compete with private-owned airlines and foreign competition? I wonder how AI's infamous hockey team is doing? - B
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Air India recent Plane Tyre Burst
Dear Sir, Kindly publish my below letter in your esteem daily and have a copy sent to Mr. Edward Faleiro and the members of his office team as I do not have their e-mail address. Appreciate if you could acknowledge receipt of this email. I was on a short break to Goa during the recent Eid holidays and this is the same aircraft I flew in from Goa to Kuwait Monday evening, and this mishap took place while on its return flight Kuwait-Goa-Chenai. This mishap was a very serious “Near Miss” and Thank God that all passengers were safe. This unfortunate mishap should server as an eye opener to the Civil Aviation Ministry, Air India and other concerned authorities. It is high time that the concerned authorities stop playing with the lives of the passengers. It has been years now that Air India is flying these ageing Airbus 320 Aircrafts in the Gulf sector, and for quite sometime now we Goans in Kuwait have been hearing that these very old Airbus 320 aircrafts were to be de-fleeted from the Air India (Indian Airline) Fleet and were to be replaced by new ones. So far this has not happened. These old aircrafts are really in a very bad condition, they rattle on take off, and in turbulent weather it really scares and makes one feel unsecured. The air-conditioning system is very poor, the toilets are so bad with broken seat, floor carpet is not fixed properly, some of the inclined seats are just going down without pressing the button, some tray tables are just rattling and falling off the holder and there is a lot more to add to this. It is so surprising that Air India is flying these old aircrafts on International routes where as they are flying the new ones in the domestic sector which has full in-house entertainment. Just imagine there is no TV to provide in-house entrainment to the passengers. I am attaching some pictures which I have clicked during my recent visit to Goa which will give the readers an insight on the condition of the aircraft. Is this how the Government of India treats the Gulf based NRI’s? Photos: http://bit.ly/AI975-05Sep11 On behalf of like mined Goans in Kuwait I kindly request Mr. Edward Faleiro Commissionerfor NRI Affairs, holding the rank of a Cabinet Minister., to look into this matter very seriously and take this issue very strongly with the concerned authorities to take immediate corrective action to have good aircrafts on the gulf route. Thanks and kind regards, Mario Rebello Kuwait
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor
To Goanet - I sent this letter today to eh Heraldo editor. * In Herald (July 5), you show a photo of a man sleeping on the side of a street and wonder how this could be so when Goa has rich residents. You should be asking this question of India, not of Goa and Goans. The man shown is most likely not a Goan, but one of the endless stream of migrants pouring into Goa everyday via the 'Patna Express'. Goa has now become an importer of poverty from the rest of India, people who come here to escape the squalor and misery of their own home states. As a fellow human being, the man deserves our empathy, but what this photo highlights is not the apathy of Goans, rather the miserable failure of India. Goa was doing alright, until the floodgates of migrants opened up in the past 10 years. You want to give us Goans a guilt trip by publishing this image, but here is what is likely to happen: this man will soon park himself on public Goan land, claim it as his own, and help expand the slums created by outsiders here. He will soon be fixed with a ration card and a voter registration card by one of the politicians as part of the migrant vote bank. Those who will continue to be left in the lurch are the Goan poor - for they are not part of the migrant vote bank and they offer no benefit to either journalists or politicians. When are the Goan poor going to make it into your pages, Sir? * Regards, r
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor(Adv Nigel Costa Frias )
Subject: Adv Nigel Costa Frias Ref http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Complaint-against-HC-lawyer-for-abuse/41327.html I was shocked to learn of the complaint by a Junior Advocate alleging verbal abuse by Adv Nigel Costa Frias. To my knowledge, Adv Nigel is a rare breed of advocates in Goa, fighting for geniune cases in Goa against the corrupt Anti Goans. We are all aware that various Goan Activists have been intimidated via various means by the Anti Goan Government Machinery e.g. False Police Complaints etc so as to allow the corrupt Politicians and comrades to continue with their exploits? Is this a new way by the Anti Goans to intimidate genuine pro-goan advocates fighting for Goa? Arwin Mesquita, UAE Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. Rape of Goa : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. For the Love of Konkani: http://www.radiogoa.net/ 6. Goa's Identity Movement website: http://www.goamag.net/gim 7. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 8. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Greater Goan Identity)
Subject: Greater Goan Identity Ref http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Sardinha-opposes-Greater-Goa/41433.html In Principle, I agree with statements by Senior Congress Leader Mr. Luizinho Faleiro and MP Francisco Sardinha that Goan Identity has to be preserved; whilst expressing in their opposition to the Greater Goa proposals; which meant adding territory from other states to Goa. But however other than their lip service, what action has been taken? Their government is actively attracting migrant vote banks, issuing ration cards to migrants, supporting demography changing migrant attractive mega projects, bringing in industries favoring employment to outsiders, destroying the environment, contaminating land/water, facilitating large scale land sales to outsiders, facilitating the large scale Goan migration out of Goa due to lack of opportunities etc. Even after 20 years Konkani still does not have her place in Goa. Sonia Gandhi promised Special Status during the 2009 Lok Sabha Election campaign. In August 2008, the Goa Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution strongly recommending that the state government take up with the Centre the urgent need to grant special status to Goa; this was done to ensure that the state preserves its unique identity. Can these Senior Congress Leaders follow up on the same and provide an update to Goans and challenge their “High Command”? Today Goa is rapidly losing its prized identity within just 50 years of liberation. If the Goan Majority and their politicians do not want to address this critical issue then perhaps, it is better to go for Greater Goa or even merger with another state; let us bury the issue of Preserving Goan Identity once and for all!! Arwin Mesquita, UAE. -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. Rape of Goa : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. For the Love of Konkani: http://www.radiogoa.net/ 6. Goa's Identity Movement website: http://www.goamag.net/gim 7. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 8. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor - MLA Mauvin Godinho (Cansaulim Mega-Project)
-- Forwarded message -- From: Arwin Mesquita arwinmesqu...@gmail.com Date: 9 July 2010 11:19 Subject: Letter to the Editor To: edi...@gomantaktimes.com, em...@goatoday.com, goad...@rediffmail.com, goajournal...@rediffmail.com, goanobser...@hotmail.com, goanobser...@yahoo.co.uk, lp...@navhindtimes.com, m...@heraldgoa.com, mytimesmyvo...@timesgroup.com, navhindti...@navhindtimes.com, sunapar...@gmail.com, toi@timesgroup.com, Ashwin Tombat edi...@herald-goa.com, editor paper gtedi...@gmail.com, news paper taru...@rediffmail.com Dear Sir/Madam, Please can you publish my letter in your esteemed newspaper. Sincerely, Arwin Mesquita, [ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE] Subject: Mauvin Godinho (Cansaulim Mega-Project) There is a wide publicity in Goa Overseas on MLA Mauvin Godinho; that he and his political/other colleagues are supporting a Non-Goan builder, to construct a Mega- Project in Cansualim. There are also strong allegations of intimidation of local residents to accept this monstrosity. In all fairness, MLA Mauvin Godinho should be given a chance come out clearly, on whether he supports this mega-project or not. If he does not, then I request him to oblige to the Cansualim Gram Sabha's request on scrapping it; if not then his true intentions for Goa will be known by all; surely Mauvin knows the negatives of Mega-Projects on Goa, its land, environment, demographics identity!! Arwin Mesquita (UAE) -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. Rape of Goa : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. For the Love of Konkani: http://www.radiogoa.net/ 6. Goa's Identity Movement website: http://www.goamag.net/gim 7. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 8. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
Re: [Goanet] LETTER TO THE EDITOR
From: Francisco Colaco dr_col...@yahoo.com To: edi...@herald-goa.com Dear Sir, PROUD OF DR.VAIDYA This is a proud moment for us Goans, especially for the medical community. One of us, an alumnus of our Goa Medical College, has made international headlines. He is none other than Dr. Jayant Vaidya, son of late Dr. Sharad Vaidya (who was a consultant general surgeon practicing in Panaji, with great penchant for cancer surgery, our teacher in the ‘60s and founder of Goa Cancer Hospital). Who is Dr.Jayant and what has he done? Dr.Jayant is a Consultant Surgeon at the University College of London. A brilliant oncologist, he is a world renowned researcher. Intensely engaged in the study of breast cancer since 1998, he pioneered the novel technique: TARGIT (TARGeted Intra-operative radioTherapy) which involves giving radiotherapy to the tissues surrounding a breast cancer soon after its surgical removal. It is well-known that the mere surgical excision of the cancerous breast lump is not enough. More is required to prevent tumor bed recurrence. Post-surgical radiotherapy is a must. The earlier modality (external beam postoperative radiotherapy) had obvious flaws. Dr. Jayant Vadya’s novel method with the acronym TARGIT is going to revolutionize breast cancer treatment. What is more, the recently concluded phase 3 trials have substantiated one thing: Dr. Vaidya’s method is the best. Credit is due to Dr. Jayant in every way: he coined the onomatopoeic word, set in motion the various trials and now led the successful completion of the final necessary research to prove his point. Kudos to Dr. Vaidya . He is our hero. Dr. Francisco Colaco, 151 G. Rebelo Rd., Margao. Goa. Cell: 9823190318 ***Thank you, respected Dr.Francisco, for your excellent write-up (Letter to the Editor) about the new discovery in the medical field. Cancer therapy with the novel technique TARGIT is going to help women with breast cancer to see better days, despite the illness. It is post-surgical radiotherapy, since it is well-known that surgery for cancer is not a cure. It will be TARGeted Intra-operative radioTherapy. At least, you honestly say that from the trials it can be concluded that Dr.Vaidya's method is the best. I still am pained with the death of a cancer patient who died within months, in spite of advanced costly drugs. There may be even a cure for breast cancer. Let us hope and wait! Regards. Fr.Ivo
[Goanet] LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Sir, PROUD OF DR.VAIDYA This is a proud moment for us Goans, especially for the medical community. One of us, an alumnus of our Goa Medical College, has made international headlines. He is none other than Dr. Jayant Vaidya, son of late Dr. Sharad Vaidya (who was a consultant general surgeon practicing in Panaji, with great penchant for cancer surgery, our teacher in the ‘60s and founder of Goa Cancer Hospital). Who is Dr.Jayant and what has he done? Dr.Jayant is a Consultant Surgeon at the University College of London. A brilliant oncologist, he is a world renowned researcher. Intensely engaged in the study of breast cancer since 1998, he pioneered the novel technique: TARGIT (TARGeted Intra-operative radioTherapy) which involves giving radiotherapy to the tissues surrounding a breast cancer soon after its surgical removal. It is well-known that the mere surgical excision of the cancerous breast lump is not enough. More is required to prevent tumor bed recurrence. Post-surgical radiotherapy is a must. The earlier modality (external beam postoperative radiotherapy) had obvious flaws. Dr. Jayant Vadya’s novel method with the acronym TARGIT is going to revolutionize breast cancer treatment. What is more, the recently concluded phase 3 trials have substantiated one thing: Dr. Vaidya’s method is the best. Credit is due to Dr. Jayant in every way: he coined the onomatopoeic word, set in motion the various trials and now led the successful completion of the final necessary research to prove his point. Kudos to Dr. Vaidya . He is our hero. Thanking you, Dr. Francisco Colaco, 151 G. Rebelo Rd., Margao. Goa. Cell: 9823190318
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald, Feb 17, 2010)
--- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- Bab Floriano, do hold on to your account number. There is a small technicality. This morning I bumped into Axi Aunti in the Margao market; but naturally, we went to Jackris for a little chao-n-chat. Kitem saangh-re tuka. Auntie'n pattis udoilem. One-after another, maan. As for the above reasons, my bottom line is a little down no-re. So in keeping with the thread (of coffins, heaven and hell-present day Goa), how about I will you my dentures and one gold cap towards the quick and painless destruction of Goa? On Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 12:15 AM, floriano floriano.l...@gmail.com wrote: --- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- Thank you Pandu Lampiao BTW your lampiao shone very brightly today when you said what you said. I am keen on putting my money on any organization keen on destroying Goi (something opposite of Sudroap). And, to tell you frankly, I have always admired this idea. If you can't fight them, join them and make everyone's life a miserable hell Goasuraj is axactly that, the organization you are look for to put your money in. If we cannot fight them, we will help make Goa so rotten, that even the last worm will want to run away and leave Goa in peace. This is axactly what goasuraj is all about. Cheers floriano PS: Now shall I give you our account number? :-)) - Original Message - From: Pandu Lampiao pan...@gmail.com To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! goanet@lists.goanet.org Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 6:16 PM Subject: Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald, Feb 17, 2010) --- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- Nicely said. Why go to Chimbel, come one, come all the Mangur, Vasco (slogan, only a slogan on the municipal garbage truck says keep Vasco green- they mean green with stagnant gutter water) and for double the doze, come to Shanti Nagar-Zuari Nagar. On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 11:17 AM, Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com wrote: --- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- To Goanet - My letter in the Herald. See -
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald, Feb 17, 2010)
--- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- Nicely said. Why go to Chimbel, come one, come all the Mangur, Vasco (slogan, only a slogan on the municipal garbage truck says keep Vasco green- they mean green with stagnant gutter water) and for double the doze, come to Shanti Nagar-Zuari Nagar. It looks quiet lovely at dawn...with a flying plastic bags, garbage by the tonne and right in the middle of the garbage, a small school, but naturally in Cannad medium (get off at a stop called Zorint, past MES college) inbetween the Highway and the old road. Everything is illegal in the town including all the temples (former Chief Ministers, minor ministers and other Goan political low life are guests of some of these temples- ya, there are pictures printed). This is all on commudade land and the members of the commudade are afraid to even go there, the little bird tells me. As well, with property prices the way they are.there are Goan families that cannot afford a roof who have moved into Shanti Nagar slumget off at the B*rla stop, again in between the highway and the old road...look around. Or if you get off the plane from Mississauga, take a welcome to Goa detour. An earlier poster had mentioned developing Goa: what? You out of your mind? Develop for what? I am keen on putting my money on any organization keen on destroying Goi (something opposite of Sudroap). My view is why save a place which is beyond saving? Why agonize.quick results..its its all down hill from here, and that is a certainty! On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 11:17 AM, Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com wrote: --- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- To Goanet - My letter in the Herald. See - http://oheraldo.in/newscategory/Letters/13 For some reason, Herald has titled it Daily Constitutional. I do not know their thinking behind it, but I would indeed recommend a daily early morning constitutional (used here for its other meaning) to Dr. Rebello along Goa's waterlines, fields, lakes, even the airport road, so that he can see the hundreds of defecating migrants himself. And someday he should take a constitutional through the Chimbel slum, which, by the way, is now like a favela like the ones in Rio de Janeiro. (The Brazilian govt has no control over favela territory.) The unedited version of the letter below: There is an old saying that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. Apropos of Indians, we must replace patriotism with Constitution. When an Indian is cornered in an argument or caught peddling humbug, you can be sure to find him hiding behind the Constitution. You can also be sure that he has never read the Constitution. And so it is with Dr Oscar Rebello, who lectures Goans (see Herald, Feb 12) about the rights of migrants by invoking the Constitution. But alas, Dr Rebello dispenses half-truths. The Indian Constitution does not give migrants the right to come into Goa and squat on footpaths and public spaces, or to use public spaces to loiter litter, or to usurp public land and create slums, or to defecate and sleep in public areas. Migrants do not have the right to vote either without satisfying certain requirements - and as is well-known, migrant voter fraud is widepsread in Goa. Although Dr Rebello seems to have developed a recent crush on the Constitution his knowledge of constitutional matters is less than meagre. There is a sub-clause in the Indian constitution that leaves open the possibility for states to enact laws to restrict inward migration. Goan attorneys need to seriously study this option. Goa is already bursting at the seams, and we have finite resources. If we are to preserve our quality of life, and it we are to prevent Goa from turning into another urban Indian nightmare, we must reject Dr Rebello's muddleheaded screed. I have laid out my case in a column in this daily (May 2008) for restricting the uncontrolled inflow of migrants (available now on the web). r
Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald, Feb 17, 2010)
--- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- Thank you Pandu Lampiao BTW your lampiao shone very brightly today when you said what you said. I am keen on putting my money on any organization keen on destroying Goi (something opposite of Sudroap). And, to tell you frankly, I have always admired this idea. If you can't fight them, join them and make everyone's life a miserable hell Goasuraj is axactly that, the organization you are look for to put your money in. If we cannot fight them, we will help make Goa so rotten, that even the last worm will want to run away and leave Goa in peace. This is axactly what goasuraj is all about. Cheers floriano PS: Now shall I give you our account number? :-)) - Original Message - From: Pandu Lampiao pan...@gmail.com To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! goanet@lists.goanet.org Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 6:16 PM Subject: Re: [Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald, Feb 17, 2010) --- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- Nicely said. Why go to Chimbel, come one, come all the Mangur, Vasco (slogan, only a slogan on the municipal garbage truck says keep Vasco green- they mean green with stagnant gutter water) and for double the doze, come to Shanti Nagar-Zuari Nagar. It looks quiet lovely at dawn...with a flying plastic bags, garbage by the tonne and right in the middle of the garbage, a small school, but naturally in Cannad medium (get off at a stop called Zorint, past MES college) inbetween the Highway and the old road. Everything is illegal in the town including all the temples (former Chief Ministers, minor ministers and other Goan political low life are guests of some of these temples- ya, there are pictures printed). This is all on commudade land and the members of the commudade are afraid to even go there, the little bird tells me. As well, with property prices the way they are.there are Goan families that cannot afford a roof who have moved into Shanti Nagar slumget off at the B*rla stop, again in between the highway and the old road...look around. Or if you get off the plane from Mississauga, take a welcome to Goa detour. An earlier poster had mentioned developing Goa: what? You out of your mind? Develop for what? I am keen on putting my money on any organization keen on destroying Goi (something opposite of Sudroap). My view is why save a place which is beyond saving? Why agonize.quick results..its its all down hill from here, and that is a certainty! On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 11:17 AM, Rajan P. Parrikar parri...@yahoo.com wrote: --- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- To Goanet - My letter in the Herald. See -
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald, Feb 17, 2010)
--- *** Follow Goanet on Twitter *** http://twitter.com/goanet --- To Goanet - My letter in the Herald. See - http://oheraldo.in/newscategory/Letters/13 For some reason, Herald has titled it Daily Constitutional. I do not know their thinking behind it, but I would indeed recommend a daily early morning constitutional (used here for its other meaning) to Dr. Rebello along Goa's waterlines, fields, lakes, even the airport road, so that he can see the hundreds of defecating migrants himself. And someday he should take a constitutional through the Chimbel slum, which, by the way, is now like a favela like the ones in Rio de Janeiro. (The Brazilian govt has no control over favela territory.) The unedited version of the letter below: There is an old saying that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. Apropos of Indians, we must replace patriotism with Constitution. When an Indian is cornered in an argument or caught peddling humbug, you can be sure to find him hiding behind the Constitution. You can also be sure that he has never read the Constitution. And so it is with Dr Oscar Rebello, who lectures Goans (see Herald, Feb 12) about the rights of migrants by invoking the Constitution. But alas, Dr Rebello dispenses half-truths. The Indian Constitution does not give migrants the right to come into Goa and squat on footpaths and public spaces, or to use public spaces to loiter litter, or to usurp public land and create slums, or to defecate and sleep in public areas. Migrants do not have the right to vote either without satisfying certain requirements - and as is well-known, migrant voter fraud is widepsread in Goa. Although Dr Rebello seems to have developed a recent crush on the Constitution his knowledge of constitutional matters is less than meagre. There is a sub-clause in the Indian constitution that leaves open the possibility for states to enact laws to restrict inward migration. Goan attorneys need to seriously study this option. Goa is already bursting at the seams, and we have finite resources. If we are to preserve our quality of life, and it we are to prevent Goa from turning into another urban Indian nightmare, we must reject Dr Rebello's muddleheaded screed. I have laid out my case in a column in this daily (May 2008) for restricting the uncontrolled inflow of migrants (available now on the web). r
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Oheraldo) - Special Status promise to Preserve Goa's Identity
http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=30273cid=13 Update, please! Arwin Mesquita (UAE) Sonia Gandhi had promised Special Status for Goa whilst campaigning in the Lok Sabha 2009 Elections. The Goa Assembly had also passed a resolution on the issue. The Goa Government should provide Goans with an update regarding the progress on this matter. -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. Rape of Goa : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. For the Love of Konkani: http://www.radiogoa.net/ 6. Goa's Identity Movement website: http://www.goamag.net/gim 7. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
[Goanet] Letter to the editor/Celebrating the inclusion of Konkani in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992
August 20 - WORLD GOA DAY Celebrating the inclusion of Konkani in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992 For a list of World Goa Day events see: http://worldgoaday2009.blogspot.com Letter to the editor Celebrating the inclusion of Konkani in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992 As Goan Catholics we have absoultely nothing to celebrate about. It is 17 years since we were badly betrayed after the agitation, by those with the Devnagri Konkani only agenda and those who support them. Ironically I think the only individual who lost life in the agaitation was a Catholic. Since then, constant attempts both covert and overt are being made to destroy this aspect of our culture and so many other aspects as well. It is time we all st ood up and asserted our right to our own language and our culture. Roman Concanim is our mother tongue and like every other language; has evolved over the centuries . It has the right to be given the same status as its sister language Devnagri Konkani. Since 1992 an alien language and script is being forced on our children in school and this has to stop immediately. The Hindus can have it for their children if they want to and we have no objections to that; but it cannot be forced on our children and us. Like so many other causes and struggles, an enemy also lies within the Catholic co mmmunity: the Catholic clergy (and a significant number of other individuals who for reasons best known to them take no pride in our culture or heritage) who it seems have worked overtime to ingratiate themselves(at least subconsciously) with the ruling Hindu political elite and thoroughly Sanskritised ; the original Roman Concanim in our religious services and other areas as well. They would like us to use words and phrases that we never used or use and do not understand. As someone said: neither God nor St. Francis Xavier would understand the Concanim that our Catholic priests would like us to speak. We also have to safeguard our culture against what is the growing problem of individuals within at the two extreme ends: one set who think they are more Hindu than the Hindus and the other who think and behave that they are more Western than the Westerners. It is high time all this is brought to an end and we get the right to our mother tongue. How long are we going to be deprived of this by the majority? I may not be politically correct but it is time to recognise this: what makes Goa truly different from all other states and a unique tourist destination is her unique Goan Catholic heritage and culture that celebrates life. Without this the Goa we know of today, would never exist and probably even Devnagri Konkani would never exist..she would long have been swallowed up and merged imperceptibly into Maharashtra state..the Devnagri Konkani speakers would suffer the same state as the Goan Catholics do. Dr Neil de Jesus Rangel. Saoe Estevao, Ilhas, Goa. Yahoo! recommends that you upgrade to the new and safer Internet Explorer 8. http://downloads.yahoo.com/in/internetexplorer/
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Maintaining Goa's Unique Identity)
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ANKA SERVICES For all your media needs - Newspapers and Electronic Media Newspaper Adverts, Press Releases, Press Conferences www.ankaservices.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear All: Pls see below letter on above mentioned subject. Regards Arwin http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=2008110846 *Maintaining Goa's Unique Identity* I CANNOT agree more with the letter �Better infrastructure for Bihar� (NT, November 6). Take the example of our little state of Goa. The ethnic �poder� (bread seller) or �nustekan� (fishmonger) of twenty years ago have long since become non-existent. Their jobs are now taken over by immigrants who are ever ready to step into their shoes. Immigrants bring along with them poverty and crime. It is therefore no wonder that of late, the rate of robberies taking place in Goa have increased. The boom in real estate and the Regional Plan bring along its own problems. Homes became scarce to Goans, while rich non-Goans are buying homes all over Goa. Immigrants also have another problem � that of forming regional ghettoes. They don�t merge with the local culture and very rarely learn the local language. True immigrant labour builds our cities. But if ethnic Goans don�t reclaim their rightful places, the Goa of yore will be swallowed by outside influences and be lost forever. Goa has become a mini-India. But isn�t it nice to maintain our unique identity, which is the very reason why lakhs of people from all over the world flock to Goa every year. *PARSHURAM NAYAK, Mapusa* -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/
[Goanet] Letter to the editor for publication in the Herald
Aah!, the citizens of Mapusa can heave a sigh. November has finally arrived and with it the 'spit' repairs on Mapusa roads. I call these spit repairs simply because the repairs are carried out in the manner of a child trying to repair a toy with spit. It just lasts for a second. As a concerned citizen whose tax money is financing these repairs, I have questions to ask to the relevant authorities. Why is it that the *same *'hot spots' in Mapusa wear out year in and year out? Is it that our engineers and engineering skills are inadequate? In the year of Chandrayan, I find this hard to believe. Could it then be a nexus between the engineers and the contractors? Are the tender specifications doctored so that the hot spots which are subject to heavy stresses wear out at the smallest hint of a shower? Are the repairs not subject to a guarantee? If so why are the guarantees not being extracted? Can there be no permanent or long term solution? Are the contractors and or engineers profiteering from this? In any case seeing the repetitive nature of the work, and huge losses to the public exchequer, I feel that a vigilance inquiry or a PIL is in order. -- With best wishes and regards, Tony Tony de Sa Ph: +91 832 2470 148 M: +91 9975162897 E: tonydesa at gmail dot com --- Things do not change; we change. - Henry David Thoreau
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Get involved in Politics
Please see letter Get involved in Politics on link http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=11475cid=13 -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor - Azgaonkars' Mega Projects
Dear All, Please see 4the letter on link http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=11142cid=13 Arwin -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor (Herald) - Oscar 's tinted eyes!
Oscar's tinted eyes! S Kamat, Alt Betim Dr Oscar Rebello has been writing in the media about Goan identity and seems to be looking at things through his tinted eyes where everything appears green, where actually everything in Goa particularly the countryside is fast becoming brown all over. In contrast to the views expressed in the author's article, we need to remember that the States in India were re-organised on the basis of language on which position Goa also became a State. Thus, in the first instance, those whose mother tongue is Konkani are Goan and secondly, those whose origin is in Goa are surely Goan. There can be no debate on this. The author's comments are also typical of the Goan attitude where you start with a lot of vigour on any issue like when the GBA started and then the initial enthusiasm wanes and you drift into a 'sussegad' frame of mind. If we want to do charity let us do it with our own money and resources but not give away Goa to outsiders. http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=2823cid=13
[Goanet] Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor Goans around the world unite. The time has come for all of us to stand up (as one) and be counted. Indeed the apalling face of corruption in the name of development has once again raised its ugly head. We are at the crossroads of a period of immense change, and one that will define a future Goa that we (as goans) will leave for our children. Decisions we make will define how we want to live (and die) in this great land we have for so long called our home. Do we want to end up as waiters, butlers and barmaids serving our NRI masters on their annual trips to this promised land or are we willing to fight these forces of evil from yonder the border that have come to threaten our existence and replace the greenery that we have for generations co-existed with, with concrete coloured boxes surrounded by gates and guards and with access restricted to a priveledged few. I sometimes wonder how some of these people sleep at night. Can they honestly look their children in the eyes if asked how this environmental rape has gotten so far. What do they say if asked who was responsible for this destruction in the name of progress. Do they ever ponder for a moment and look behind at the Goa they are leaving behind for their children. Do they never feel guilty of the legacy they have created for themselves, or has greed blinded them so much that there seems no difference between right and wrong anymore. Indeed pointing fingers will do no good. To a large extent arent we all to blame to some degree. Havent a vast proportion of global goans been lured by the mega bucks of these developers that has prompted their sale of these vast tracts of their bhat. I guess any blue blooded goan who is willing to die for his language should be equally concerned at the land that is so fast slipping under his/her feet. Indeed for those who have had so much to say about how and what we speak seem to be totally disinterested of the mass scale transfer of land ownership from the Kamats and D'souzas to the Kapoors, Yadav's and Desai's. Its only a matter of time when Punjabi (or Gujarati) will be a strong contender for the official language status in Goa. The recent Aldeia de Goa development is a timely reminder of what we face in the quest to preserve our cultural, social, environmental and historical identity. We are being swamped by people who have never lived (and coexisted) with a natural environment in peace and harmony. Indeed the concept of development, architecture and habitat to these people is generally based on the replacement of wasteland and slums with concrete manifestations (pointing skywards) for confining the masses into an orderly existence. In this world maximising yield (ie getting the maximum number of boxes in a confined space) has been the sole motivator where profits and returns on investments (including bribes, kickbacks and bakshishs) is the only game in town. Drive along Panaji and look yonder across the Mandovi and there scattered amongst the greenery are timely reminders of the singular focus of the architects and developers from across the border. Indeed selling the goan dream has never been a problem for these companies. Like a Bollywood blockbuster sold to the masses the vision is sold to the nouveau riche as a place where all inhibitions are set free. Where the flat bloated north indian businessman or the NRI and his arranged bride can find an arranged house with a view to match and quite literally afford to dream. A hillstation by the sea or so the ad says with a general in charge of marshalling his troops to the wanton destruction of the landscape and environment that has endeared goans for generations. In the end what is being sold to these mugs is a LIE. Aldeia de Goa will forever be treated with the contempt it so rightly deserves, where the inhabitants are neither welcome, lifestyle not invited and culture scorned upon. These inhabitants will be treated as the pariahs of Panaji (and Dona Paula) who have scavenged on the lifestyles of the vast majority to fulfill the needs of a greedy few. At a time where global warming and climate change has been a major concern around the world it is interesting to see what has been approved in Goa in the name of progress. The extent to which these developers have gone to fulfill their need (and greed) is deplorable. Hand in glove with the help of politician(s) who like judases at the last supper have betrayed the land that has given their families and friends the lifestyles a vast proportion of the country can only dream. In cohort with these clowns they have embarked on a period of destruction and annihilation of the vast natural beauty of Goa. In closing I would like to commend the GBA for making a stand. Thanks - Oscar (and people like Mathany Saldanha and Patricia) for whatever its worth. There are a lot of people behind you (and in particular present, past
