Dabolim airport
This refers to the news report ‘Dabolim airport won’t be grounded: CM’ (Herald May 16, 2012). This statement made by the Chief Minister is most welcome. He has also stated that the Prime Minister has assured him of the transfer of 2.5 acres of disputed land for the Dabolim airport expansion. This has been going on for many years, but nothing has happened so far. If the Chief Minister is really serious about retaining the Dabolim airport even if Mopa airport becomes a reality, the Chief Minister should first re-notify the land which was de-notified by Mr.Digamber Kamat,Mauvin Godinho and Mr.Philip D’Souza for their greedy plan of sabotaging the expansion of Dabolim airport. Marcos Alemao via email
Kayaking in Campal
This refers to the article ‘Taken for a (kayaking) ride in the Campal creek’ by Armando Gonsalves (Herald ‘Panjim Plus’ May 10, 2012). I was amazed to read about the “boat ride in the Campal Creek”. There could not be a better idea than to beautify this discarded and dirty nullah running right through the Capital of Goa. I wonder why it took 50 years to begin with such a wonderful idea. This was planned earlier, but never practised. I congratulate the present CCP Commissioner and the Chief Minister for the beginning of such a beautiful project which should be comparable to Venice. Nelson de Sa, Canada
Caitu’s citizenship
This refers to Valanka’s accusations that Caitu is a Portuguese citizen and hence must quit office. With due respects to the lady, she does not know what she is talking about, and the case will be thrown out of the High Court.
According to Portuguese law, all people born in Goa before December 19, 1961, are Portuguese by birth-they never surrendered it. The people of Goa never rejected Indian citizenship, but neither did they surrender Portuguese citizenship. Further, from the information we’ve got through the media, it appears that Caitu has only done the registration and “B.I.”. He does not even hold a Portuguese passport. Therefore one can safely conclude that Caitu is an Indian citizen. People have rejected Valanka and she should accept the fact gracefully. Anthony Dias, Margao
MoI Issue
Barely three weeks from now the schools in Goa will commence after the summer vacation. However the fact that the Medium of Instruction (MoI) deadlock remains unresolved is a worrisome issue; during the entire last academic year parents were in a state of uncertainty over the MoI problem.
To please a handful of heavy-weight politicians who threatened to withdraw support to the then Congress-led government, agreed to English as the MoI according to the choice of the parents. Petitions were fled in the High Court who ruled that a status quo should be maintained on the issue. Despite this, many schools continued to impart education in the English medium, drawing the ire of the court.
We now hear that the BJP-led government is trying to evolve a formula that would be in the interests of all. The simplest yet most effective solution to let the MoI at the primary level be in the mother tongue/regional language, which is the norm not only in the rest of the country, but is also acknowledged by the UN. However, since a large number of students opt for English medium after passing the primary school, it would be just to also teach English as one subject from class I. Michael Vaz, Merces
Face Scarves
I keep reading in your paper about ladies riding two-wheelers wearing face scarves. What’s the big deal if you ride two wheelers? In the UK helmets are law. Also it is so cold you have to wear a full face mask helmet or a neck scarf up to your eyes and have a helmet visor. So just take the bike’s registration number. It’s as easy as that. Barry T., UK/ Goa
Zuari Bridge
It’s good news that the new bridge is being built over the river Zuari. This will be the third one in the last 40 years. Villagers on the either sides of the river Zuari have suffered much for the two bridges, whereby they lost their properties and dwelling places. The third bridge will be a total disaster, unless and until it is build away from the built-up area. It was rumoured that about 25 to 30 houses houses would be demolished on Agassaim side to make way for the approach road to the bridge, and that the mega-housing projects on the Agassaim side have been built after giving the PWD Engineers a hefty bribe. The axe will fall now on the natives of Agassaim. The ex-MLA of St Andre,Francis Silveira wanted to save his illegal ramp/jetty and divert the bridge. The PWD and NHAI officials have been visiting the area for the last two years but could not give the correct picture about the bridge. The CM, Mr Parrikar and St Andre MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh should not hurt the sentiments of the villagers by demolishing their houses, but seek an alternative road whereby saving the genuine local houses. D. Justin, Panjim
