SHIRODKAR INSPECTS KARMALI LAKE

CONSERVATION: Subhash Shirodkar (Minister for Water Resources) visited and carried out an inspection of the Karmali Lake today. Rajesh Phaldessai (MLA – ), Pramod Badami (Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department), Nazareth Vaz (Executive Engineer), Assistant Engineer, Milind Gawde and others were present on the occasion. Shirodkar also visited Pachmanas area.
The Minister said that there is an urgent need to stop siltation of the lake, “We need to remove green wild growth from the lake and the upper side of the lake should be protected from encroachment. There is a need for conservation of lakes in the State of Goa. Encroachment and pollution in any water body should not be allowed.”
The Forest Department has control over this lake and the Water Resources Department has taken initiative to develop it, he informed, and added that the WRD has already prepared the estimate for developing the lake and awaiting clearance from the Environment Council. Phaldessai is hopeful the lake will be cleaned up and beautified for public rest and recreation very soon, “People will also get employment.”

JABEUR, ALCARAZ WIN MADRID OPEN TITLES

AS if it were not enough that Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur won the women’s crown in the Madrid Open over America’s Jessica Pegula 7-5, 0-6, 5-2, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain also surprisingly won the men’s title beating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1 to send a distinct message for the French Open Grand Slam starting on May 22 — that the field is wide open for a roller coaster at Roland Garros.
Earlier in the tournament, Ons Jabeur accounted for Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and Simona Halep who might have been more fancied to win the Madrid Open in the women’s section. Also, Carlos Alcaraz went even further in upsets as he got the better of Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. Also the fluidity of the rankings was exposed as Ons Jabeur broke into the top ten and Alcaraz catapulted to the No. 6 ranking.
In the light of these surprises, the French Open is bound to dish out interesting fare. For the experienced players, they have ample big match exposure, but the younger lot are eager and have more momentum. The French Open is bound to bring the best out of all the players.
— Elvidio Miranda, Panaji

BHIVPACHI GARAZ NA!
THE Supreme Court verdict on the railway double tracking is a victory for the sustained people’s struggle and rule of law. We need to salute all those who against all odds relentlessly toiled for the sake of Goa and its now fragile environment.
Goa has been a beautiful accident of history endowed with abundant resources. But selfishness and foolishness by those in power has brought it to a stage when Mother Nature is ready to crack the whip! Goa is already threatened by sea level rise. It could be simply wiped from the face of the sub-continent and go under water. Before that happens let better sense prevail.
Thank God we have a judiciary! Otherwise with an autocratic and despotic government at the helm Goa would be in a state of anarchy. We need to remember the words of Justice Gautam Patel and Justice Nutan Sardessai: “Goa is a land worth fighting for.”
— Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Honourable Governor
of Goa
Your Excellency,
Dear Pillai,
A request is coming from Goans who are holding guns of ancestral era. At that time the renewal fees were less than Rs. 100 and all of a sudden it has increased to Rs 3060 during Manohar Parrikar tenure when he was Chief Minister of Goa. These guns were manufactured in foreign countries especially in Belgium under Browning make and were also sold other European countries.
Since these guns cannot made use for any purpose but only has been preserved as sentimental value. Hence Goans request our Excellency Governor of Goa Mr. PILLAI to bring back the original renewal fees of Rs 100 as it has become a burden to pay such high fees.
My friends many owners of these guns have suggested to write to Governor to consider this request.
Hope you will do the needful Sir.
— Stephen Dias, Dona Paula

Caste no barrier for appointing priests
ON 7th May there was a full page advertisement issued in national newspapers by Director of Information and Public Relations, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) on the completion of one year of governance by the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The release emphasised the various schemes undertaken and implemented by the government. One of these that catches the eyes is reportedly the appointment of priests from all castes in the temples. In a State that was in the past presumed to be conservative and orthodox yet now there is a situation where there has been no whimper of protest on the appointments of non-Brahmin priests. Perhaps this approach should be executed pan-India so that it is realised that Gods and Goddesses belong to everyone and temple rituals can be conducted cutting across caste barriers. This progressive step would lead Indians to live in peace and harmony rather than fighting for ‘your god and my god.’
— Sridher Iyer, Caranzalem