FC GOA YET TO CATCH UP WITH THE CHAMPS!

WINGER: The young 24 year old Alexander Romario Jesuraj has emerged as the backbone of the Goa FC team. Romario shifted to FC Goa after being part of the winning combination in the last two finals.

LITMUS TEST

EXPERTS use complicated methods to measure a country’s performance. GDP, unemployment, Sensex, industrial index, inflation etc. The common man merely reads their analyses unable to comprehend the implications. The government in power knows this and therefore resorts to various methods of feel good slogans, the bogey of a foreign threat, and of course blaming the previous government for just about everything. Flush with success in these areas they now care a hoot for the people.
However, there is a litmus test: Fuel price. Presently, our fuel prices in India are the highest in the last two decades! Since 2002 there has been a 250% hike in petrol. Diesel/petrol showed a 21%/18% hike from April to December during the pandemic which had no basis for increase. The crude price was actually negative during this time and the increase was merely to ensure the refineries favoured by the government made up for lost sales during the pandemic lockdowns.
When the present government came to power after deviously ousting the Congress, international crude prices dropped: And the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was quick to remark that the country should look at the same as his good luck! And now? No luck here, just poor governance.
— R Fernandes, Margao

ALTINHO CROSS DAMAGE
VIGILANT and concerned resident of Altinho in Panaji, Guimaraes, while out on a walk on the morning of November 13, 2020 noticed that a structure depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was damaged, probably due to a reversing truck. He sent me a photograph of the damaged structure. The damaged cross has been brought to the attention of the church authorities.
As depicted in the photograph, due to the impact, the top portion of the structure has become shifted at an angle away from the pedestal. I hope that the residents of Panaji will come forward with necessary support for the restoration of this crss which is a most important and symbolic depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Even if it means crowd funding by residents of Panaji or from elsewhere in Goa, the restoration of the cross can be done to maintain its historic significance. These ways of the cross structures starting at the Portuguese Consulate up to the Bishop’s Palace still exit from the time before Liberation and so they are historic structures at the Altinho.
— Stephen Dias, Dona Paula

VACCINATION COMING UP
THE coronavirus contagion has already claimed 1.5 million lives the world over out of a total of 65 million infected, meaning that on an average 1 in every 118 cases have succumbed to the deadly virus. On an average also over 10,000 people are dying every week now, meaning that unless immediate vaccination begins about 3,80,000 more people suffering may succumb to the infection by end-2020.
Given that vaccinations have started in China and Russia and are due to start in United Kingdom next week, projections would be that there would be a decline in infections as well as death rate, but this could only be marginal as China with the highest population does not have too many cases. It can be justified that still one in every 100 people could be infected and the present 65 million infected could rise up to as much as 77 million by year end given the fact that in the US and Europe infections and fatalities are peaking without deploying vaccines.
By February 2021 if vaccination start in America and other parts of Europe, considering that the efficacy of the various vaccines to be used are 95%, 94.5% and 70%, it would mean that whenever vaccinations are begun respectively 5%, 5.5% and 30% would only fall prey to infections and fatalities of 1 in every 41 as of now. The most vulnerable people have already got infected and have perished, worldwide by the end of vaccination the world could see 3.25 million infected and 75,000 deaths, even taking into consideration current rates. If the vaccine used is 95% efficacious.
It would mean that by end-2021 the pandemic could be well under control and almost eradicated in the world. However, this depends on whether vaccinations can be deployed worldwide immediately.
— Elvidio Miranda, Panaji

DELAY IN APPOINTING GOVERNOR OF GOA!
When the President of India Ram Nath Kovind visits Goa next week on Liberation day he should please tell us the reasons for the delay in appointing a full time Governor for our State. Since 19th August this year the Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari is holding additional charge of Goa. It does not augur well that for four months a Governor has not been appointed for Goa.
In terms of Article 155 and 156 of our Constitution the Governor of a State is appointed by the President of India and is answerable to him while holding office during the pleasure of the President. The post of Governor is of immense significance. Being the head of the state, all the executive actions are taken in the Governor’s name. The role of the Governor is very important and as Chief Executive of the State he has Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Financial and Discretionary powers that if exercised judiciously and with integrity could ensure the smooth good governance of the State.
Goa is enveloped with so many crucial issues including Mhadei and Mining. The deteriorating law and order is a matter of concern while the economy is in crisis. People of the State and the youth in particular are agitating across the State against projects that are not in the interest of the State and the environment.
Unfortunately our former Governor Satya Pal Malik was suddenly shunted out for being very proactive and outspoken who refused to be a rubber stamp. He behaved impeccably and knowledgeably in the best interests of our people and the State.
The people of Goa and the State deserve and expect to be taken seriously and treated with respect. They merit proper full time Governance to overcome the hurdles of poor Governance that has stagnated its growth and progress. The ongoing pandemic and other critical issues including several vanity projects need addressing urgently at the highest level with determination and round the clock focus and not on a part time basis as is currently the case. The agitations by the people in the State is a manifestation of this vacuum, created through a lack of serious good full time Governance. Goa expects a no nonsense full time Governor who will as his office demands, govern with integrity and clarity in the best interests of the State and its people.
— Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar