FLOODED GOA!

THE continues heavy downpour the whole of last week has exposed how badly maintained so called smart capital city of Panaji is. Despite promises by Panjim MLA and Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate, 18 June road was flooded on Goa Revolution Day. The road to Caculo Mall has been blocked for more than two month for the construction of some bypass to permit flow of water into St Inez nallah. Babush has been complaining that roads which were repaired just recently have developed potholes again! So where was he when the roads were being repaired? He is not a diligent MLA of Panjim at all. His only concern is his precious vote bank.

UNIFORM CIVIL CODE

IN a new novel which will be out soon former MPT chairperson, Arvind Bhatikar(IAS) has dramatized  how adopting the Portuguese time Uniform Civil Code has not been the blessing it is considered to be and how it has affected women – who are supposed to be the main beneficiaries but who become the worst under the much praised Uniform Civil Code. Under this code on the death of the spouse 50% of the property is supposed to go to surviving spouse.

However, the spate of land frauds has dramatised that there is large scale corruption in the maintenance of property records.  There have even been cases where sale deeds and power of attorneys have been issued in the name of dead people.  

ZUARI, NOT SHUT

CONTRARY to reports in both local and  national media Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd at    Verna has not been closed down. The factory has been merely sold to sister concern owned by Akshay Poddar and his company Paradeep Phosphates. Far from closing down the Zuari unit here it is  expanding without providing new jobs.  Zuari was inherited by Shobhna Bhartia who is the daughter of KK Birla.

MUKESH SUCCESSION PLAN

TO avoid the disaster which led to a split between him and his brother Anil Ambani, Mukesh Ambani has drawn up a succession plan. Akash has taken over Jio,  daughter Isha will be in charge of Reliance Retail and younger son Anant eventually takes over the petroleum complex which is the leading company in the Reliance Group of companies. It may be recalled that because Dhirubhai Ambani died without making a will there was a bigger fight between the two brothers for  control of Reliance.  While Mukesh flourished, Anil who inherited the Telecom and power projects had to eventually declare bankruptcy.   

PROTECT WIDOWS’ RIGHTS!

SANGUEM women of Saudimol – Uguem  on Sunday, July 3 joined the chorus to demand a law to respect the dignity of  widows, and to end regressive customary widowhood practices in the State of Goa.

Resolving to defy such practices, Uguem panch member Divya Naik, had earlier initiated the move in her panchayat, after which a resolution was adopted banning widowhood or funerary practices in the village. The women shared their live experiences of having to undergo the perils of widowhood and how they have to challenge the social curse of widowhood on a daily basis.

Women present at the meeting resolved to stand united in sisterhood and to break free from regressive customs which they believe are not endorsed by any religion. They also resolved to act as messengers to eradicate the social evil and fight for the  inclusion of widows in all aspects of life with equality and dignity as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Divya Naik, the panch member of Uguem village panchayat, who organised the meeting, shared that she herself had dared to defy the traditional widowhood customs after the death of her husband two years ago. Coordinator Rajeshree Nagarsekar addressed the meeting while Urmila Naik, Chandrika Chari, Jayanti Naik, Sukanti Naik, Amita Naik, Pratiksha Naik, Diksha Naik,  Sushma Naik, Gokul Naik,
Sunanda Chari, Vishranti Naik, Rekha Dessai, Chandan Naik,  Vinanti Naik and Sulaksha Naik  spoke at the meeting appealing to the government to enact a law to end widowhood practices and exclusion of widows in State events.
WE will now spearhead the cause of equality, equity, justice, life of dignity and respect to widows and to create awareness at ground level will be interacting with  women’s groups in villages across Goa.

PRASAD TO BE CHECKED

THE Food & Drug Administration has decided to check samples of prasad given to devotees at various religious institutions. This is following complaints of food poisoning from prasad served during the Puri Jaganath Yatra, recently. The FDA has come out with a special category called “bhog” (blissful hygienic offering to god).

SUNBURN APPROVED!

THE Tourism department has blessed the organisation of  EDM festival Sunburn by Percept. The controversial festival will be held from December 28 to 30 later in the year. The government has given up the  idea of organising a Sunburn-styled festival by itself. However, it has directed Sunburn organizer to give an opportunity to local performers from Goa too.

MAHATMA INSULTED

THE national flag has always been manufactured out of pure khadi cotton. Now it seems to insult the mahatma, the  BJP government has decided to permit the production of polyester national flags. Gandhi’s insistence on khadi cotton flags was to provide employment to millions of villagers. The switch to factory-made polyester flags is not consistent with Gandhian ideals. The largest and the first manufacturer of polyester fabric is Reliance Industries of the famous only  Vimal fame.

GAS CYLINDER RS1,067 NOW!

THE price of LPG cylinder has been increased by Rs50 for the fourth time in a row this year. After the latest increase the 14.2kg refill will now cost around Rs1,067 in Goa. There is no talk of restoration of the LPG subsidy. Under the Ujwala scheme the Centre has announced a subsidy of Rs200 on each refill but only up to four refills per year.