JACINTO ISLAND CLASH
EVEN as Narendra Modi called upon Indians to remember the horrors of Partition, there a small drama took place on St Jacinto Island in Vasco on August 14, 2021. A group of Navy personnel went to Jacinto Island to install a flag post to hoist the national flag. Apparently, it was part of a national programme by the Navy to hoist the national flag on all islands from August 13 to 15.
Instigated by some politicians and memories of the Naval takeover of the Anjediva Island, some locals thought that the Navy was taking over Jacinto Island. They protested and refused to let the Navy from hoisting the national flag. Hoisting a flag is symbolically a kin to taking possession of a territory or even country. The situation was aggravated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant calling the people of Jacinto Island anti-national. The situation was resolved by a young Naval officer with the diplomatic skill to defuse the tension.
The Navy and the other defence forces located in Goa tend to forget that they are guests and should behave like guests. But the Defence Forces only go by orders and never give up any territory they are in possession off. Former Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, himself admitted that it was impossible to get the Navy to vacate property they had occupied in Goa. Even the golf course at the INS Hansa does not allow civilians entry.
JUSTICE FOR SIDDHI
THE semi-naked body of 19-year-old Siddhi Naik from Nachinola was found on Calangute beach on August 12, 2021. This is considered extremely unusual as while there have been many drownings at Calangute due to currents, never has as a body washed ashore at Calangute beach. The currents would push it away towards Morjim and Arambol beaches.
The father of the girl is allegedly an active karyakarta of the BJP for Aldona constituency. Which is why there was a protest march from the Aldona church to protest against attempts by the police to protect the culprits. Though the autopsy report claims that the victim died of drowning and there are no signs of molestation in the post-mortem, the GMC — in particular forensic departments country wide are notorious for corruption. This has been dramatized by the deep investigative report that appeared in the online paper The Wire which appears on pages 16- 17.
GOA TO LONDON
AIR INDIA has decided to resume direct flights between Goa and UK from August 26, 2021. This should attract the British charter tourists for whom Goa was a favourite destination before covid-19. The UK has lifted most of its covid-19 restrictions and citizens tired of lockdowns are desperate to go for a vacation with family and friends. This will benefit UK-based Goans to return to their adopted country. However, they will have to observe a 10-ten days of quarantine at a hotel chosen by the immigration authorities — we hear the quality of these hotels is pathetic and that too for exorbitant pricing, many having to stay in the hateful hotels are complaining loudly and bitterly about being imprisoned instead of quarantined!
SC AGAINST ARREST
THE Supreme Court in a victory for human rights directed that arrests should not be routine for this will harm the arrested individuals. The SC pointed out that personal liberty is guaranteed by the Constitution and there is “no need if no risk of flight, accuse is cooperative.” Unless custodial interrogation is necessary there should be no arrests, considering the already over-crowded prisons. Custody in the criminal procedure code only requires presentation of the accused and not the arrest.
CHENNAI’S RELA HOSPITAL
RELA Hospital in Chennai saved the life of a 56-year-old man with covid infection and resultant lung complications after a record 109 days treatment! Hospital authorities say this is the only patient in the country to recover without a lung transplant after being hooked up to an artificial lung—Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-ECMO for over 60 days.
The take-away: Such patients almost always require a lung transplant. How many lung transplants were done in Goa? How much oxygen was used on a single patient? Does the GMC use ECMO and is the oxygen inventory calculated for this level of treatment?
More, Telangana has performed 39 lung transplants in the last eight months. Does Goa have this expertise? At least ECMO? Why celebrate being the 11th most preferred tourist destination? This is not required as much as free water! A lung transplant can cost Rs50 lakh and more. Free water?
GOVERNOR PILLAI’S ONAM GREETINGS!
GOVERNOR of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai has extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Goa and particularly the Malayalam community from Kerala on the occasion of Onam. In his message Governor Pillai shares, “This colorful and joyous national festival of Onam commemorates the homecoming every year of King Mahabali, who was a just and benevolent king revered by his subjects. Floral decorations are made in front of homes to welcome this great king and prayers said for happiness and prosperity. It is a 10-day long festival celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm and marked by a rich tapestry of cultural events. The uniqueness of Onam lies in the fact that it is celebrated by other communities also with equal zest.”
Further, he added, such festive occasions serve to strengthen the bond of togetherness and oneness of a people. They reaffirm our faith in the principle of unity in diversity, “This year while celebrating Onam, let us remember to strictly follow all health protocols and guidelines and stay. May this Onam bring renewed peace, prosperity and happiness to one and all.”
IHCL’S VIRTUOSO TRAVEL WEEK 2021
THE Indian Hotels Company or Taj Hotels are in the news anew. South Asia’s largest hospitality chain gets an Outstanding Community Partner Award by Virtuoso for its covid initiative of #MealsToSmiles. That is delivery of meals for hospital staff and other frontline workers, through the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust.
The awards recognize luminaries, legends and leaders from the tourism industry and were presented at the Virtuoso Travel Week 2021 at a gala awards ceremony held in Las Vegas. Speaking about the award which recognizes exceptional efforts in serving community, IHCL Senior Vice-President & Global Head-Human Resources Gaurav Pokhariyal, said, “This global recognition reiterates our culture of Tajness that keeps community at the heart of all that we do…We remain committed to promoting the well-being and betterment of the communities in which we live and work in.”
Reportedly the #MealsToSmiles initiative delivered over 4.5 million meals, covering 38 hospitals in 12 cities across 10 states, the cities include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Mysore, New Delhi, Varanasi and Vishakhapatnam. The Taj Public Service Welfare Trust was established in 2008 to provide relief and support victims of natural or man-made disasters. Virtuoso is a global leading network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel, and has over 20,000 advisors and 1,800 of the world’s best hotels, cruise lines and tour operators as partners.