As the grand festival of Hindus, Ganesh Chaturthi approaches one will see many Hindu families busy gearing up for it. The celebrations extend beyond families and spill into community reunions with the holding of the ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav.
As this festival approaches, people throng to the markets to buy essential items and various accessories. Booking of the idol of Lord Ganesha has already commenced. These idols were initially made of clay, but today many use plaster of paris. These non-biodegradable idols are also available in the market.
To protect from pollution, people should buy idols made of clay. Clay idols, when immersed become one with the earth and do not harm the ecology. On the contrary, plaster of paris idols contain toxic substances in addition to the chemical paints used over it.
Firstly, these idols do not dissolve in water and secondly the toxic chemicals are released into the water thereby causing harm to aquatic life. Mixing of the plaster of paris in water pollutes the river, sea, lake, underground water etc and can have an adverse effect on the health of living beings.
Mervyn Menezes, Varca
Don’t wait, ban it
An objectionable scene in Hindi comedy movie -’Kya Super Cool Hain Hum’ shows a Christian priest solemnising the marriage of two dogs. The scene showing a priest in bad light hurts the Christian sentiments. A Christian priest not only performs his religious duties but is a guide to all.
I request the Government to ban the movie in Goa.
Godwin Pereira, Chinchinim
Simple Simon
I read with interest the insightful Middle by Anthony J. Simoes (Herald, August 18, 2012).
Scientist believe only what they can weigh and measure. Very good, but they are simpletons to believe that what they can’t weigh or measure doesn’t exist. They don’t believe in love, beauty and God. To call a particle in an atom-smasher a God-particle is wrong.
Simoes calls himself a simpleton. I think it is the scientists who are simpletons, not Simoes. To me too, God is an article of Faith. Why do scientists who make wonderful inventions where weighing and measuring is concerned flop when it comes to non-material matters? Because they think everything is matter.
John Razana, USA
Freedom from fear
The unfortunate exodus of North Easterners employed in various States due to obnoxious SMSes targetting them, reflects adversely on the failure of the Government of India’s intelligence agencies to timely block the same and find out the source. Neither the Government of India nor the State governments, except Goa, failed to give assurances to protect them from attacks by disgrunted anti- social elements.
The Government of India should assure them safety as it is their constitutional right to work anywhere in the country and also provide them free rail transport to return back to their work places.
JM de Almeida, Alto Porvorim
Art for arts sake
Referring to “Catholics:Kya super Kool Hai Hum” Herald August 18, it is wrong of the Producer and Director of that movie to assume that the Catholic community will take such blasphemous description of the Catholic clergy lying down. Why hurt the religious sentiments, sensitivities of the Cathoilic community, being one of the many sects of Christianity? We also have sentiments and sensitivities.
Anthony Fernandes, Mapusa
Fishy business
I was rather amused to see the fish vendors from the Margao SGPDA market pointing fingers at the waste, allegedly dumped by miscreants. I am a reluctant buyer of fish from this market, due to the mess and dirt, and would state that the vendors themselves are to blame for this horrible state of affairs. One can see fish being dried at the entrance, blocking access to the market. Inside, the aisles meant for buyers are forever blocked by either their baskets or by their ice boxes, leaving hardly any room for us to move around. I wish the President of the Fish Vendors Association would see reason and try to improve the conditions.
Fred da Cruz, Margao
Shining armour?
Our government has decided to put helmets on the head of two wheeler riders to protect their head from breaking into two at the time of accidents
Dear Reader, our children are born in traffic indiscipline; we walk in traffic chaos. Let us pray that the Lord, gives us good leaders who will protect the body of pedestrians from the effect of accidents by compelling people on foot to wear shining body armour, as protection from injury.
