Letters to the editor (22 November 2022)

Letters to the editor (22 November 2022)

Nuclear Bomb is ticking!

The editorial on the nuclear scene vis-a-vis the Ukraine war (Herald, November 21) was informative and enlightening. There is no doubt that Russia is indeed losing face in this ill-conceived war on Ukraine and has therefore threatened a nuclear war. This may seem like mere rhetoric at the moment, but the underlying fear is, it could become a reality. When this happens, it could explode into a full blown, nuclear Third World War, spelling doom for entire mankind. Man does not seem to have learnt any lessons from the first atom bombs that were rained down on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by America during the Second World War. Instead, the nuclear club has been expanding over the years and today many nations seem nuclear ready and itching to press the trigger on the nuclear bomb. Instead of directing our energy, time and money towards development of the people we have to now focus on protecting ourselves from nuclear attacks. One can only hope that good counsel prevails and the Russia-Ukraine war ends on a peaceful note as early as possible. The Nuclear Bomb is ticking!

Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai

Goa tourism industry in super mess 

The Government over the last many years has been needlessly squandering crores of rupees on organising roadshows across the world and within the country to promote Goa as tourist destination. It has been a misconceived waste of public funds and a free junket for the Tourism Minister and his entourage only further burdening our already empty State coffers.

In the current sordid state of affairs with garbage strewn all over even on the beaches which are also infested with stray dogs and cattle, the high-end decent tourists will not care to step in. Haphazard planning, improper sanitation, and the uncontrollable stray animal menace all over are projecting Goa in bad light. Nothing more needs to be said about our pathetic and perilous roads. The roadside touts fleecing tourists is another eyesore.

Besides, Goa now branded as the gambling capital has become a very safe haven for the narcotic trade and the flourishing menace of prostitution. The alarming increase in crimes has further made our once serene Goa, now a very unsafe destination.

Much needed sustainable infrastructure improvement, safety, and facilities that all the people, hosts as well as tourists can avail themselves of must be paramount. This will be the best form of promotion instead of our tourism officials venturing into the unknown for their own pleasure, while flogging a dead horse. Good quality, well spending tourists will not come to experience low class facilities. Reality must match expectations!

Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Release DSSS funds 

The Dayanand Security Security Scheme (DSSS) beneficiaries are complaining that they have not received their dues for the past few months and this repeated delay truly reflects on the careless attitude of the BJP government.

Having said that, I hope the concerned authorities will immediately release these funds to the DSSS beneficiaries’ accounts as early as possible.

Augustus Alphonso, Vasco 

Football extravaganza

The beautiful game of football is underway, and will be in full flow in Qatar for nearly a month culminating in the finals on December 18.   The supreme talent of gifted players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, among many others, will be feast for the eyes. Despite football being restricted mostly to Europe, Latin America and African countries, the popularity of the World Cup is almost unmatched. The euphoria, excitement and edge-of-the-seat thrill offered by great players will fade all the controversies that have haunted the game until now. When players walk out, and the game begins, the spectators’ focus will be on the pitch, the players and the high emotions which emanate after every goal scored. The hysterical reactions of the coaches, and the teams’ supporters, are going to be a treat for television viewers.

In all probability, a die-hard fan would be rooting for traditional favourites Brazil though Spain, Argentina, Germany and Portugal are the teams to look out for, not excluding some dark horses.  For hosts Qatar, this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the country to the world. Amid all this, the question as to when, and how, will an Indian football team make it to the grand stage of the World Cup shall continue to haunt us during the conduct of every World Cup. Unless the infrastructure and facilities are provided on a war footing, and unique talents with unflinching will-power are picked up to shine on the larger canvas, we will have to be contented with supporting a foreign team.

Ganapathi Bhat, Akola

Will Qatar WC crown a new champion? 

Each of the 32 teams vying for World Cup glory revolves around at least one inspirational superstar who will play pivotal roles in the quest for victory and though France and Brazil have got the tags as favourites, it still could be a toss-up this time between the teams which in the last four World Cups have not won this prestigious tournament. Four European teams have won the last four World Cups in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. Managing the heat of the Qatar sun could be one of the impediments for the European teams especially in the later rounds when the matches could go up to the tie-breaker. Whichever teams’ individuals and team effort hit the target consistently will savour ultimate triumph. Most teams have a fair degree of youth and experience, and it could also be the goalkeepers who will play crucial roles in denying goals with spectacular saves. Stamina, opportunism, and accuracy will play vital roles too. Never underestimate an undergo and thus as the World Cup progresses, the field will be open to those teams that are more professional in their approaches. Results against the run of play cannot be dismissed and thus football fans are in for a set of thrilling and riveting contests that will be on knife edge in this edition at Qatar. The costliest World Cup ever will have moments of ecstasy and agony and the ultimate winner will the team that survives till the end on December 18, 2022. The victorious team could be one that negates the odds-on favourites.

Elvidio Miranda, Panjim

Push for e-tourism in Goa

The Western Ghats physically separates the Deccan highlands from Goa, which is located on the southwest coast of India within the Konkan area. With the Arabian Sea forming its western coast, it is situated between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south. By both size and population, it is the fourth-smallest State in India. As we know that most people prefer to come to Goa for tourism, there is a need for a tourism which does not involve higher expenses and supports the use of no gaseous and hazardous fuels.

Electric Tourism or e-tourism should be provided through introduction of 100% electric vehicles for sightseeing such as electric buses as this would involve less operating costs and also provision of subsidies. Saving money and lowering fuel consumption are always the two complementary goals of a nation. Therefore let us keep our Goa clean and pollution-free.

Leander Chris D’Souza, Candolim