Lead Story
Gods in the Dock
IT IS not only human beings who have been engaging in large scale illegal construction. According to a notice published in The Navhind Times on March 14, 2010 — as directed by the Supreme Court of India in their interim order dated September 29, 2009 — the government of Goa has admitted that there are over 900 illegal religious structures in public places in the state, many of which are within the setback area of the National Highway and other interior roads in cities and even villages. The illegal religious structures are not limited to the place of worship of any particular religion. When it comes to breaking the law and building illegal structures, Hindus, Christians, Muslims and even devotees of Sai Baba and Lord Ayappa (the popular Mallu deity) have all shown scant regard for the laws of the land. THE largest number of illegal structures in the state is that of crosses. Apparently whenever somebody in the family dies or miraculously recovers there is a convention of putting up crosses to commemorate the event. The majority of the crosses are on the roadside within the setback area. The Executive Engineer (Roads) of South Goa himself has admitted that there are over a hundred structures within ten metres and some even within five metres of the stretch of National Highway 17, which passes through Goa.
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Goa's first Weekly with fearless reporting, indepth analysis & more.
Goan Observer is the only independent media organisation in Goa which has the courage to reflect the grievances of ordinary Goans. Goan Observer is able to report news and carry views which other media organisation will not publish because Goan Observer is a non profit organisation committed to the interest of Goa and Goans. Goan Observer can stand up to pressure both from the government and private enterprises because it is run by media professionals under the guidance of independent directors including Mr. Arvind Bhatikar, former Chairman of MPT, Dr. Francisco Colaco, Executive President of Lok Shakti and Leo D'Mello, Business Consultant and Management Guru.
Latest Articles
By Tara Narayan
IT’S A question which plagues the mind somewhere along the way while listening to various speakers at a two-day Sahitya Akademi and Konkani Advisory Board seminar on “Identifiable Trends in the Western Indian Literature in the First Decade” held at the Kala Academy’s Black Box auditorium on March 6-7, 2010. India has 24 recognised Indian languages, many with a distinguished literary tradition, but in the end the truth is that Indians are on their way to becoming WOGS or “western oriental gentlemen”!
AND A few more stray thoughts and a few more observations for yet another Sunday. For a Sunday following the week when Chief Minister Digamber Kamat was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. For a Sunday following the week when Digamber Kamat lost the confidence of the GBA and the other activists in Goa. For a Sunday following the week when the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti was allowed to lead the Shigmo parade in Margao, while the Bajrang Dal was forcibly kept out. For a Sunday following the week when the Director General of Police himself stepped out to enforce the law, presumably because he has no confidence that cops at the lower level will do so.
MANY SEX scandals related to ‘holy men’ have come to the surface during the last few weeks. It’s not that these are the first to have been brought to social attention; such incidents have been coming to social notice time and again. The present ones’ about Swami Nityanand and Ichhchadhari Baba (Bhimanand) have highlighted this issue in a very intense fashion as these scandals are blatant.
Where are you on the election map?
After the delimitation process was completed, you may find that your region falls under a different constituency. Take a close look at the maps to determine where you figure on the Election Map.
North GOA
South GOA
Delhi HC verdict on gay sex
Stray Thoughts
Delimitation behind Cong-NCP clashesAND A few more stray thoughts and a few more observations for yet another Sunday. For a Sunday following the week when Chief Minister Digamber Kamat was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. For a Sunday following the week when Digamber Kamat lost the confidence of the GBA and the other activists in Goa. For a Sunday following the week when the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti was allowed to lead the Shigmo parade in Margao, while the Bajrang Dal was forcibly kept out. For a Sunday following the week when the Director General of Police himself stepped out to enforce the law, presumably because he has no confidence that cops at the lower level will do so.
Lifestyle
A French dinner at O’CoqueiroBy Tara Narayan
IF YOU haven’t discovered the legendary restaurant of O’Coqueiro yet you have missed out on something! You can’t miss it. It’s right there flush on the highway to Mapusa at Porvorim …a single line of golden bulbs running around the twin-bungalow complex of Portuguese vintage. Low and inviting, it has a cool open courtyard set within and set off by this beautiful frangipani tree…
In News
Are post office savings safe?ON MARCH 6, 2010, Tivim sub postmaster Devidas V Manjrekar, failed to show up for work. Along with him, Rs. 17 lakh in stamps and cash went missing. Manjrekar’s misdeeds came to light when Mapusa Sub Division Inspector of Posts, Ratnakar Topare, filed a complaint at the Mapusa Police Station on March 11, 2010. An offence under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code (criminalbreach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent) has been registered.
In Depth
Is there an earthquake in our future?ON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 Ramchandra Bali’s wife went to fetch water from the well in the morning and was surprised at the rising water level. Normally, the well water reaches a maximum of one to two metres during the dry months of summer. But this summer it was above five meters. The sudden rise in the water level attracted the attention of the rest of the neighbourhood as well. The issue was highlighted by the media which, in turn, gave rise to panic in the neighbourhood.
