Well said and written many issues by the writer Jose Maria Miranda in his article, but who will listen! Government is sick and has to go for a check up not in GMC but in private Hospitals who are minting money. Look at the Swacch Bharat they started calling nowadays Swacch Panaji is it a mere propaganda of show of Councilors, Mayor and bureaucrats well stylist dressed up like VIP dogs on the streets in front of CCP building itself to show that they are cleaning the roads? Was there any dirt there and still this place is selected, for what?.They should have dressed with sweeper official clothes. Is it a Dog show which we have at Fire Brigade campus? Well dressed these gentlemen with beautiful caps and nice looking brooms. Was it to send these photos to Press or to Modiji to tell Goa is cleaning gutters and roads for Swacch Bharat? This is too much.
People should read the article of Jose Maria Miranda which is enclosed and published in Niz Goenkar. Many Wahatshap messages went viral and sent with these photos to see this show? Is this a propaganda of Swacch Bharat? Making a mockery of Swacch Bharat? Must respect Modi's intentions. Smt Governor of Goa Mrs. Mridula Sinha must take note of it that cleanliness must be done with good intentions and spirit and not as a show piece. Stephen Dias Dona Paula Date: 24th Sept 2017 =================================================== Rising Unnatural Deaths In Goa – A Matter Of Grave Concern – by Jose Maria Miranda - Sep 23, 2017[image: Rising Unnatural Deaths In Goa – A Matter Of Grave Concern – by Jose Maria Miranda] The rising number of unnatural deaths in Goa ought to be a matter of grave concern to any responsible and sensitive Government if, at all these qualities can ever be found in our rulers, who seem to be taking every serious issue very lightly and irresponsibly. Such deaths should worry not only the Government, but also each one of us, if we are to be considered a part of a civilized society; for besides the painful loss that every avoidable death causes to the bereaved families, the circumstances involved often add to their grief and distress. Murders, suspected suicides, deaths under mysterious circumstances or due to drowning and road accidents are becoming common. This does not augur well for a popular and peaceful State like ours. They also sully the image and reputation of Goa, as they reflect poorly on the law and order situation and protection of human life and the lack of seriousness in dealing with these issues. Hardly any remedial measures are observed in case of road accidents and their frequency has made us insensitive to this extremely grave problem. Incorrigible and arrogant citizens and inefficient Traffic and Transport authorities will perhaps wake up only when a tragedy, God forbid, strikes them. The absence of crash helmets do not cause accidents but speed, reckless driving and haphazard and hazardous parking do. Speed limits, strict enforcement of traffic laws and stringent punishment, compelling drivers and riders to spend a couple of days in jail for recklessness and negligence causing death or bodily harm to others, could have changed the accident scenario in Goa. Respect and concern for human life just does not exist anymore. Suicides have been taking a heavy toll in Goa, shockingly even among minors. While we may not be of much help to insane and terminally ill people who voluntarily end their lives, we need to ensure that our youth do not end up the same way. This is something that should never be allowed to happen. Though the number of such suicides appears to have gone considerably down, parents and teachers need to continue counseling the children against such tendencies. The children must be made to feel that they are an essential and important part of our families and society, even if they are failures in their studies After Drishti life guards were employed in our coastal area, drowning deaths had considerably reduced. However, recently there has once again been a steep rise and now there is a controversy on whether swimming should be banned after sunset. The fact is that several deaths, particularly of tourists have taken place when they have ventured into the sea after a few drinks. Life guards have not been able to control them. Hence, some tough rules are needed in the interest of the tourists themselves as also to avoid Goa from becoming a death destination. It is our responsibility to protect them and ensure that they are safe. If necessary, they must be detained, if they insist in breaking the rules, and made to understand that the life guards and the Police are only acting in their own interest and protecting their lives. The State cannot afford to earn a bad name due to their belligerent attitude. However, it is worrisome that murders and deaths under mysterious or suspicious circumstances, often treated by the Police as being without “foul play suspected” are also becoming quite common. Nearly every second day, one hears of a murder or a body washed ashore or found in a secluded place. This is indeed frightening. Supari killings or murder attempts have also made their ugly appearance. There have also been “suicides”, which are treated as such though murder or abetment is a possibility. Often the Police version is swallowed by the general public and the former feel happy about the naivety of the people The restfallen families of the deceased, whether in accidents, suicides or murders, opt to remain silent, as they have neither the mood, the courage or the tenacity to follow up such cases with our ever so efficient Police. In fact, doing so is sometimes a greater trauma than the loss of the loved one. Scarlett Keeling’s mysterious death in 2008 shook Goa and the recent murder of the Irish young lady, Danielle McLaughin has further sullied Goa’s image and made some foreigners look at Goa as a risky or unsafe tourist destination. There has already been an advisory by Britain about their citizens visiting Goa. The issue is not for less as we have shamefully had 245 deaths of foreigners in Goa in the last 12 years, of which 161 between 2008 and 2011 –25 of these of drowning, 16 in vehicle accidents, 15 of apparently natural causes and shockingly 53 of unknown causes. A few families who have lost their dear ones in Goa under mysterious circumstances have met recently and decided to take up forcefully with Goa Govt. the issue of botched investigations. In case of Finnish national Felix Dahl, reports here had revealed the cause of death as a fall from a height, whereas an autopsy done in Finland mentioned a blunt metal object hitting the skull as the cause. The credibility of the Police and the Goa Govt. is at stake. Neither can run away from the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the people. Every death which does not appear natural needs to be looked upon with suspicion. With unemployment crisis, mining still to take off, we cannot afford to lose tourism. Because Goa is beautiful and Goans are hospitable, we attract millions. Let the tourists, our honoured guests, take pleasant and cherished memories of their visit to Goa. It behooves of us to ensure that it happens. ==========================================================