DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
THE Indian High Commissions, Embassies and Consulates across the world are the first point of contact for Indian citizens, those of Indian origin and foreign nationals who desire to travel to India for tourism and even trade. These foreign missions should leave a lasting good impression on those visiting them.
Some foreign missions may be doing a good job, but unfortunately, there is a public perception that all is not well and that there is room for improvement. Having had the opportunity of visiting the Indian embassy in Lisbon, what was observed was undesirable and absolutely unacceptable. Visitors should never be considered a burden. Every visitor should be dealt with pragmatically and courteously, the focus being on finding a solution to a grievance. Understandably having the needed security in place but ending the red tape would go a long way towards presenting a positive image.
While it is imperative that rules and regulations be rigorously enforced, some common sense and judicious discretion must prevail in finding a practical solution keeping in mind the facts and circumstances of every visitor coming to a diplomatic mission. It would be nice if Indians moving to new countries could be advised and guided so that it facilitates their settling down in a new environment.
In Rome you do as the Romans do, so it would be nice to see high levels of courtesy, politeness and due diligence at all Indian missions abroad while seeing them zealously and enthusiastically striving to serve the diaspora scattered worldwide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar could oversee this happening.
— Aires Rodrigues, London
LETTER PRESIDENT of India Droupadi Murmu arrived in Goa on a transit visit on November 7, 2024 and was accorded a warm welcome by Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Protocol Minister Mauvin Godinho and others. Capt Viriato Fernandes, Member of Parliament-South Goa Lok Sabha constituency, Yuri Alemao, Leader of Opposition, Dr V Candavelou, IAS, Chief Secretary; Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Collector, South, Egna Cleetus, IAS were also present. At INS Hansa (Naval Air Station at Goa) 150-men ceremonial guard of honour was given to President Murmu. Later, the president proceeded to witness Indian Naval Operations on board Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant at Karwar. President Murmu embarked on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to witness naval operations at sea. This is a maiden sailing for the president on board the INS Vikrant to witness the full spectrum of multi-domain naval operations.
CORRUPTION IS OUR BIRTHRIGHT!
WHY is there such a hullabaloo about the jobs-for-cash exposé? Isn’t corruption encouraged in our part of the subcontinent? A national policy of sorts? Wasn’t it common knowledge that government jobs are exclusively handed out by veteran ministers? Ditto with plum postings for policemen in the lucrative drug belts? Doesn’t corruption wink at us every day when we weave through potholes/ summit elevated manhole covers/ skid across loose gravel/ jetski through flooded roads?
Just the other day, OHeraldo published a first page ode to an overachieving Goan girl — with visual disabilities–who alleged she was asked to fork over a hefty bribe to get a government job…in the PWD category! That’s about as progressive as it gets! Shattering glass ceilings and white canes, equal opportunity for all, where the Goa government is concerned. Political defectors migrate in droves, two elections in a row, prospective MLAs often wear serious criminal charges as badges of honour, their money power ensuring court processes are long drawn and meritocracy is kept out — like children from humble means are denied access to quality education.
Was anyone else miffed to read that Goa is merely a hub for adulteration of psychotropic drugs? With our notoriety as a narco-tourism hotspot/rates of addiction among local youth, shouldn’t the powers-that-be invest in “Make Drugs in Goa,” as part of the Swayampurna Goa mission?
So corruption is our birthright and we SHALL have it! Perhaps bribery should be taught in schools nationwide, ministers mentoring scores of promising recruits, improving National Corruption Coefficient until the international community sees the recent bullet train infrastructure fail like we did: A beloved, cultural eccentricity that is NOT to be meddled with!
–Chris Fernandes, Miramar, Panjim