AS I understand from reports in the media, police inaction on earlier cases filed against the concerned person was one major reasons of the people’s anger. We are all aware of this distinct trait of the Goa Police, but we must also understand that, many times, the police are compromised by influential politicians. Yes unfair defamation, if any, should be strongly opposed and guilty should be dealt with, but then should we not question, if the violence was really justified; could we at least have first given peaceful protest and the judiciary a chance? I request some of the people to look at the possibility of them being used as pawns in a power play by bigger vested interests.

It is good that the local MLA appealed to the people for patience and added pressure on the government to take up the cases immediately; I also kindly request him to stand with the people and, likewise with the same enthusiasm, put pressure on the government to act on other major/critical issues facing Colva, which are even more serious and can seriously affect its inhabitants in the near future like destruction of the environment by unnecessary mega projects, illegal land conversions, unsanitary and unhygienic conditions on the beach and other areas in Colva, increasing water contamination, injustice and violation of basic human rights, particularly against the less privileged people, uncontrolled migrant influx, garbage issue, etc.

Arwin Mesquita,
UAE.

MANDOVI BRIDGE

VARIOUS departments and authorities have been set up over the years by elected governments to provide and maintain basic amenities for citizens. One such facility is the Mandovi Bridge. For the frequent user of the bridge, especially the one on the Britona side, it’s a nightmare. The surface is uneven, patches with exposed concrete and dirt all around.

Normally, the four-wheeler drivers have to stick to the divider giving way for the two-wheelers on the pavement side. The rider is unable to drive on their side as the surface is un-motor able as well as filled with dirt and mud.

Is this not one of the important safety aspects? The Road Transport Authority is always lecturing the citizens on what the rider needs to do. It’s time they conduct a classroom session for the Road Maintenance Department and the minister-in-charge to educate them on their responsibilities.

A E Zuzarte,
Guirim.

APOLOGY NEEDED

THE Church in Goa is sustained by contributions from the laity. The Church does not have its own assets. Even the renovations and new extensions done in churches are from the contribution of the laity and nothing comes forth from our church leaders. Hence, it is not justifiable to throw money lavishly on parties on Christmas day for ministers, MLAs and VVIPs because the Church clergy has never contributed a mite towards the uplifment of the masses. The Archbishop of Goa owes an apology to the Catholic people of Goa for spending their money without their permission on useless parties costing lakhs of rupees.

Alvito Pereira,
Panaji.

INDIAN RAILWAYS

THE Indian Railways has the distinct merit of probably being the only one of its kind mesmerising everyone the world over with a near-to-faultless working of its most intricate rail-line network, linking even the remotest corners of the country. However, very few will dare disagree with the fact that this admiration is restricted only to the engineering marvel and has nothing to do with the normal upkeep of its ‘fleet’. A train journey in India has always been considered the cheapest mode of transport. Nevertheless, the schedules of the trains stretching the limits of Indian Standard Time and the horrendous conditions of the coaches have been commented upon, rather adversely, a thousand times. A steady decline in the health and sanitation standards in the trains and at the stations notwithstanding, railway ministers in successive governments vociferously laying claims to the introduction of hitherto unchartered routes and a multitude of sophistications purported to enhance the pleasures of traveling hasn’t ceased amazing one.

With the general cleanliness of the bogies and, consequently, the comforts of the traveller being so blatantly ignored, is the emphasis more on generating revenue? At least the coach modifications of some of the trains in their new ‘avatars’ seem to say so! The economics of the Indian Railways somehow elude me! Last week, travelling by the Mangala Superfast in the II A/C class to Kerala, I was witness to an unusual exchange of words between a fellow passenger and the travelling ticket examiner; I say ‘unusual’ because the TTE was being given a cracker of a discourse on what the public had come to expect from the Indian Railways and as to how it had failed miserably as the premier travel service provider to the nation. The ‘lecturer’ was a young German student pursuing his engineering degree at the prestigious IIT in Chennai. The stinking toilets, floors littered and stained and the soiled linen issue; he was virtually venting his ire, expressing a total dissatisfaction over the special privileges offered to passengers opting for this class of travel. “Do you expect me to put up with these kinds of inconvenience for the better part of my journey in spite of having paid extra for the comforts and amenities promised?” he retorted. And then, a remark he passed in general, joggled me out of a reverie - I wonder how many others felt the same! “No offence meant,” he jibed, “Your lack of concern riles me. You guys just can’t stand up for your rights! And you hold the system responsible for all your maladies!” What could be more shameful than having a young foreigner, a student for that matter, reasoning upon our ‘enforced shortcomings’ in such a manner!

Pachu Menon,
Margao.