CONGRATULATIONS TO FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS

CONGRATS TO FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant congratulated and appreciated the state’s frontline health workers who have been working tirelessly to achieve the remarkable feat of administration of 100 crore vaccination doses in the country. Speaking at a function organized on October 22, 2021 he said it was the pace and zeal of collective efforts of the healthcare workers which has led to the 100% vaccinations of both doses within the scheduled time.

MIRAMAR BEACH

SOMETIME back there was a tamasha concerning a pathway which had sprung up overnight, opposite a come lately starred hotel at Caranzalem. The public trail that leads to Miramar beach became a bone of contention, created a division amongst some political parties. There were ugly scenes and name calling which could have been avoided.
The concerned parties and hotel management could have sat across the table and found an amicable solution. Call the contractor (who built the footbridge near a school) to build a bridge from the entrance of the hotel to Miramar beach. The bridge could be beautiful, softly lit, air-conditioned, soulful music, etc, so that hotel guests enjoy their walk to the beach!
Bridges may be connected to skywalks with coffee stop outlets. The government can foot the bill for footbridge under a new scheme called Atithi Devo Bhava. Just imagine. How Panaji could be transformed to be a happy smart city!
—Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem

EVALUATING TMC FACTOR
MANY in Goa would consider the entry of Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Goan politics as a case of sheer political opportunism. However, the very fact that all parties including the major ones such as the BJP and Congress and a fast emerging AAP are seriously apprehensive about the electoral prospects of the TMC, this alone gives credence to the fact that the TMC is a very potent force to reckon with.
Goans must be aware that Mamata Banerjee is a serious contender to become the alternative candidate for the prime ministership of India. West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats and if the TMC wins 38 of these, which is a distinct possibility considering its overwhelming performance in its Assembly elections recently — and if the Congress fares worse than the TMC in India, Mamata Banerjee could emerge as a consensus candidate to nudge out Narendra Modi.
This possibility would still be likelier if the Opposition unites pre-election time in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Practically and prudently this could become a possibility. Goans should take this factor into consideration when voting as most in Goa will agree that having a PM in India with a TMC majority cabinet in Goa will make life better for Goans. It would be a welcome change!
—Elvidio Miranda, Panaji

ENTREPRENEURSHIP INSTITUTIONS, PLEASE
“TECHNOLOGY brings jobs and money. Time to come is of drone technology. So the world is about to change. Technology can be used properly to become an entrepreneur. We have colleges that teach different subjects. But there is no institution that teaches entrepreneurship,” said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at a function in Nagpur (Maharashtra), recently.
It is true that there is no institution that teaches entrepreneurship in India. After schooling, students go on to pursue careers in science, commerce, arts, as well as engineering and medicine. But students do not think beyond this. Most people just want jobs. They look at education from that point of view.
After working for a few years, there is no tendency to start own business. Salary is received in a job on a fixed date of every month. This is good. Where to do business in such a situation?
What is not realized is that the company we work for is owned by an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs start from scratch somewhere and expand later. Many get employment through jobs. How long do I have to do the job? Even if it is not possible to jump into the business at once. But when can I start my business? It should be fixed in the mind. We should use the experience gained from the job. We should be recognized as job givers in such a society. This cycle has to be continued continuously. How is it possible for everyone to get a job? The answer to this question lies in this.
The population of India is around 135 crore. It is natural to be worried about employment. People are more interested in government jobs. Because they guarantee a lot of vacations and the salary is good. On the other hand where are the employing companies compared to the growing population? Very few people have the skills needed for those companies. Who will teach them the skills required?
If all this is taught at college level itself, then on the basis of this people will go ahead and get experience by working in small companies. In short, they won’t stop because they don’t get a job. Some of them can contribute to the progress of the country by opening their own companies to provide employment to many people. That is why institutions teaching entrepreneurship are essential for India. India will become a superpower if its manpower is used wisely. But for this, first of all, changes are needed in the field of education.
— Jayesh Rane, , Maharashtra

HARASSMENT OF CHRISTIANS
THE ruling BJP government in Karnataka has reportedly ordered a survey of all the authorised/unauthorised churches and their priests in the name of monitoring/ keeping a check on their alleged forcible religious conversion activities in the state.
The BJP leaders (central, as well as state-wise) are historically known for maligning the image of Christian missionaries with needless allegations. When the Christian population has contributed so immensely in the field of education, health, etc, towards all sections of society and is currently down to just 2% since Independence, how can the BJP leaders falsely accuse the same community of indulging in forcible religious conversions of Hindus in India?
India is a secular, democratic country. Its citizens have a right to choose, practice and freely promote their religion of choice without fear or favour. This is fully guaranteed for every Indian by Article 25-26-29 and 30 of the Indian Constitution.
The BJP leaders should stop harassing the Christian community of India on flimsy reasons. Instead, concentrate on fighting the real issues like poverty, unemployment, corruption, inflation…which is bogging down its own people. Hey, if BJP leaders think the Christian community is untrustworthy, send their children to top Christian missionary schools and colleges in the country?
Bring in a law (on the lines of anti-religious conversion law) to ban Christian community from donating blood during serious emergencies, saving lives of chest-thumping andh-bhakt! Instead of ordering a survey of churches and missionaries order a survey of the numerous right-wing fascist organisations carrying out hate campaigns to polarize the country along religious lines. Jai Hind!
—Jerry Fernandes, Saligao