ACHIEVER: Under the leadership of Suhas Sardesai, Mushtifund has overtaken the top schools in Panaji such as Don Bosco and even Sharada Mandir. The largest number of students who got admission to the IIT are from the Mushtifund School

AND a few stray thoughts for yet another Saturday. For a Saturday following the week when Mushtifund celebrated its 50th anniversary. For a Saturday following the week when President Droupadi Murmu made her first visit to Goa. For a Saturday following the week when a Hindu religious structure was secretly placed in the compound of the Sancoale church. For a Saturday following the week when two children were mauled by a Rottweiler dog in Taleigao.
AND a few stray thoughts on the Mushtifund School which never advertises carried two full page advertisements in the “Times of India” honoring Suhas Sardessai. Suhas Sardessai, who is in his 80s today, is the architect of this school with of achievements. The school itself was started way back in 1908 by the residents of Mala. Mushtifund literally means a handful of rice. Which was the donation collected to build the school.
Suhas Sardessai has been the secretary of the Mushtifund Sanstha for more than 50 years. Suhas is the person who converted the school into the best school in capital city Panaji, if not Goa.
Mushtifund was the first to start an integrated course for the benefit of those taking admission to the IITs and other competitive exams. The school may be largely funded by Anil Counto (president of the Mushtifund Sanstha), but it is Suhas who has been the man steering the institution to the heights it has reached today.
From pre-primary to higher secondary, the school has been steadily upgraded. The main campus excepting the primary section which is still in Mala has been shifted to Curca. The primary section has been equipped with smart black boards and computer-aided teaching. The teachers are all highly qualified and handpicked by Suhas for their dedication and devotion to the school. Suhas personally interacted with teachers and students. He keeps regular contact with the parents.
Suhas is a calm cheerful person whose life has been devoted to the Mushtifund School. The role of Anil Counto as the chairperson or chairman must also be praised. He has made sure that Mushtifund is never short of funds. Thanks to Suhas and Anil there have been constant growth in the infrastructure of Mushtifund.
The latest project is the building of a big auditorium at the Curca Complex. Suhas has been my close personal friend and he even considered contesting the elections to the Panaji seat against Manohar Parrikar at one time. I suggested to him that he should dedicate himself to education of children and not play the dirty games of politics.

DROUPADI MURMU IN GOA
AND a few stray thoughts on President Droupadi Murmu making her first visit to Goa. Droupadi Murmu is the first backward-class lady to be appointed President of India. It is clear that President Murmu was chosen because she could be expected to fully support Narendra Modi. The latest instance of Murmu being a BJP loyalist is her clearing the Delhi Services Bill which rendered Aam Aadmi party convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal powerless. The bill has transferred the responsibility and power to the bureaucrats headed by the lieutenant governor.
Tragically, Murmu has not been permitted to visit Manipur where she could have played a major role in restoring normalcy. There was a lot of confusion on Tuesday, August 22 when Murmu arrived in Goa. The road from Dabolim airport to the Raj Bhavan in Panaji was blocked in sections. With a result of those catching a flight have to arrive at the airport two hours early. All movement of marine vehicles except for ferries were blocked for security reasons. Murmu is expected to address a rally of backward class residents. This is her only interaction with no separate meeting with the tribal population of Goa.
She is expected to address members of the State legislative assembly. A civic reception will be accorded to her at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan. No interaction with the public was scheduled as far as we understand.

IS THIS HINDUISM?
AND a few stray thoughts when Hindu religious idols were secretly placed in the compound of the Sancoale Church in Vasco da Gama port city. It’s the usual story of overnight some anti-social hardcore Hindutva elements smuggling a wooden structure with the statue of Goddess Durga in the compound of the church. The installation of the Durga statue is totally illegal and the mischief-maker had not sought any permission either from the church or government authorities.
This is the same church where Fr Bolmax Pereira allegedly made ill-conceived remarks about Maharaha Shivaji. It may be recall that self-styled Shivbhakts stormed the Vasco da Gama police station asking for the arrest of Fr Bolmax. Fr Bolmax apologized but he had to respond to summons from the Vasco police station and later granted anticipatory bail. The Deputy Collector of Vasco da Gama Sharmila acted promptly and had the Hindu religious structure and idol removed from the church premises at Sancoale.
Two people have been arrested for trying to create trouble between Christians and Hindus in Goa. The smuggling of Hindu idols into church compounds make for very ominous and unhealthy signs. Indeed, this is happened in Ayodhya where Lord Rama’s idol was installed on the premises of the Babri Masjid. It may be recalled that the Babri Masjid was demolished by Hindu fanatics. It may also be remembered that it is the chief minister who talked about restoring old Hindu temples in Goa. The two examples are the temples at Mardol and Divar Island.
Fortunately, some good sense has prevailed on this occasion. Thanks to Governor Sreedharan Pillai, Archbishop Filipe Neri and Gyanipeeth award winner Damodar Mauzo who made a joint appeal for maintaining peace and harmony in Goa this incident didn’t catch fire and died a quiet death. It has been pointed out that Goa is the only state in the country where people of all religion live in harmony and there is no caste discrimination in Goa.
In fact, schedule tribes like the Gaudi, Kunbi and Velip have not been given reservations for assembly seats. Hopefully Dr Pramod Sawant will not instigate or support hardcore Hindutva elements into lighting fires in Goa. In fact, we hope he has the wisdom to ban all prejudicial talks planned by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad fanatics or anybody else on Shivaji Maharaj.

CHILDREN MAULED BY ROTTWEILER
AND a last stray thought on two children being mauled by a Rottweiler dog in Taliegao on Monday, August 21, 2023. There are strict rules in place or not in place about the maintenance of aggressive species of dogs, like Rottweilers. This breed have to be kept restrained so that they cannot attack anyone including strangers. Children are particularly vulnerable.
This is a dramatic instance which happened in Oitiyant Taleigao when a Rottweiler dog mauled two children aged boy five and six, respectively. The fierce dogs jumped on the children so fast that the mother who was with the children could do nothing to spare them from the attack. She was taking the children for a walk after dinner when the incident happened in a flash. The dogs were not on a leash as they are required to be.
Apart from this incident there is a serious stray dogs problem in Goa and people walking down some areas are vulnerable to sudden local street dog attacks. People do not want to take responsibility for the dogs they love so much. They show their affection to the dogs while feeding them with leftover bones and meat.
We thought there is are regular programs for the sterilization and checking of the stray dogs population in Goa’s urban places like Panaji. I recall that in the 80s the Panaji municipal hired a dog catcher and he would walk around with a sack and a gun. He was very good at trapping the dog which he was authorized to shoot. He was a tall tough looking character. He was hired by all the municipalities in Goa. He was so popular that he was appointed to be King Momo when the Carnival came around.