August 19, 2011
IT WILL BE THE AAM AADMI CALLING, NOT AMMA, NOR ANNA.
At the moment, the Congress government at the centre looks to be staggering and going around in circles, trying to find it’s own tail in broad daylight, in handling the issue of corruption, which has stretched and swelled in it’s own ranks and foundations and even the handling of the old army boy, Anna Hazzare, certainly lacked prudence, as well as foresight and has indeed left much to be desired. A party of stalwarts and legends in Indian Politics, Congress has been slipshod and incompetent and very much ineffective, to say the least.
Right from Independence, the Congress has been smeared in scams and controversies but in the last decade, it has escalated into a free for all orgy, where not just crores but thousand of crores have been waylaid, siphoned and redirected through the political conduits into their own personal holdings in India as well as abroad, which has now become the major caused of social and political turmoil in India.
Over the years corruption has reached unprecedented heights in India and our Political and our bureaucratic Babus, have been wholly and solely responsible for the ascendance this unholy malevolence. If not for the “ghaplas” and “gotalas” the old army man, Anna Hazzare would not have been heard off, but today whole India is moved into a tsunami, supporting his fight against this social and economic evil. There may be thousands like me, who have high regards for Anna, but is this the process and progress of a healthy democracy ? Will people have to take to the streets every time they want to voice their fears and concerns, putting the lives of innocent people at stake ? Is the end result more important than the means to get there ?
On one side we all say Anna jai ho ! In support of Anna against corruption but on the other side, we still elect the same corrupt elements for a few notes and goodies. How is it, that the very same people baying against corruption one minute, loose their pragmatism the next ? The corrupt elements are not new, they have been elected term after term by none other than our corrupt selves, so what logic do we espouse in supporting Anna against corruption, if we ourselves are corrupt in electing the corrupt ? What good will it do if we have a fortress of a Bill but elect the same Johns from the brothel ?
A lot of luminaries say that even with the implementation of the Lokpal Bill can anyone guarantee that corruption will cease to exist ? I don’t think even Anna would be able to answer that in the affirmative. There is no doubt that we need a strong Lokpal Bill, but more than that, first, we need incorruptible Indians, because without incorruptible Indians there just cannot be incorruptible elements in the Government, it is only because we are corrupt that we have corrupt politicians and corrupt bureaucrats. So no Lokpal Bill will change the system if we ourselves don’t change. Like Gandhi-ji said let’s be the change that want to be.
It amuses me to no end, when the PM of our country says, Lokpal will not stop corruption, a statement from a renowned, revered and respected personality, whom people still believe to be incorruptible though a lot has been said about his spine or rather the lack of it in handling corruption. The Home minister says that laws are not made in parks in a democracy but in Parliament, right, but when the Parliament itself is desecrated and it’s sanctity reduced to that of a brothel by its very inhabitants, what are the people suppose to do ? If people have the right to elect our babus to Parliament, they also have the right to show their displeasure too. It may not be the best way but may be the only way left at their disposal.
Corruption in India will not be blown out like a candle in an instance, it will take a long process to change the present opaque system and a strong Lokpal Bill can be just the jump-start that needs to get the process moving forward, rest can follow and if we all Indians can change our mindset and be incorruptible ourselves, it will not be impossible to weed out corruption from India and the same goes for our beloved Goa.
I would like to remind our Home Minister and all his political and bureaucratic Babus that if things do not change and continue as they are and if push comes to shove, it will not be Amma calling from the hospital, nor Anna from Tihar jail, but the Aam Aadmi from the street, do not ever underestimate the power of the people, world around has been witnesses to it in recent times, which India and Goa could very well do without !
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.
August 18, 2011
DEATH IN KUWAIT OF MRS. JUDY.
Mrs. Judy Fernandes e Barreto (Nuvem Mujer/Murda Grande-Goa), Staff of Fawaz Airconditioning Co., Kuwait, expired today on 18/8/2011.
Beloved Wife of Constancio Barreto (KTS Co).
Mass on Saturday 20/8/2011 at 6.30 PM, at Holy Family Cathedral,
Kuwait City.
Body will be flown to GOA on Saturday 20/8/2011.
Funeral will be held on Sunday 21/8/2011 at Jesus-Maria-Jose Church, Nuvem.
Relatives and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation.
Relatives and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation.
WHO WILL WIN IN NAVELIM? CHURCHILL OR LUIZINHO OR AVERTANOS?
By Nisser Dias.
18th August 2011
Does Churchill Alemao have an uphill task against Luizinho and Avertano in the forthcoming elections?
With the elections to the general assembly in Goa fast approaching politicians – rejected or otherwise are not only preparing grounds to contest but also pampering respective high and low commands to allot them the tickets to contest. It is not that they will not contest if not given a party ticket. They will contest independently or what politicians like Churchill Alemao calls on ‘people’s ticket’.
The scene will unfold in all the assembly constituencies as the elections get nearer. But the picture in delimited Navelim constituency has got clearer with former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro showing his willingness to make a come-back in local politics. This former legislator had withdrawn completely from public life for the last five years after his defeat at the hands of Churchill Alemao. Infact Faleiro in his own words had said in 2008 that he had taken a ‘sanyas’ from politics. With election at the doorsteps he seems to be waking up from hibernation and has made his intention clear of contesting against his bête noire Churchill Alemao. The third person in the fray is supposed to be Avertano Furtado – a close ally of Faleiro and a former goalkeeper of Churchill Brothers. Therefore an interesting triangular match to represent Navelim constituency is on the cards between a football team owner, a former footballer and a smooth operator.
Of course with the victory of Churchill Alemao over Luizinho Faleiro at the lasting hustings constituents of the old Navelim constituency comprising of villages of Varca, Orlim, Carmona, Cavelossim and Navelim had actually jumped from the frying pan to the fire. At the same time anti-incumbency had played a major role in dethroning Faleiro. For a long time, leaders were not forthcoming to contest against him till Churchill came along and changed the tide. So much so that even the BJP which has a vote bank of close to 4500 transferred their votes to him by not fielding a candidate against him. Churchill victory margin was over 4500. Which indicated that Navelim constituents needed a change, unfortunately the change did not bring about any constructive development in the constituency. During the erstwhile Luizinho Faleiro’s reign the main state highways in the constituency would get a fresh coat of premix carpet every five years, which we have not seen during the current five years rule. Of course Churchill has installed reflectors on the either sides of the road throughout his constituency at huge costs. Its golden glow infuses life even in the most tired motorist, but then gold is known to do that to people and whose knows it better then Varca strong man. Another of his achievement is to allow electrification of ornamental street lights installed during the fag end of Luizinho’s term and that too on his birthday. Initially for almost two years Churchill tried to block electrification of these lights questioning, who would pay the bill. Surely it would not come from his pocket as the tax payer would be made to foot it anyway. Of course he can be credited of building a bridge between Varca and Telaulim.
Besides fulfilling this aspect on his election manifesto, Churchill Alemao has done a volte facie on Mopa airport, six laning of national highway, solving the problems between tourist taxi drivers and tour operators. Infact Navelim MLA has inflicted more harm by distancing his voters from himself by blatantly supporting builders and developers against the wishes of his constituents.
Coming to Luizinho Faleiro he seems to have used the last five years not to lick his wounds, but to build a strong rapport with the bigwigs in the Congress at the centre. To add to that he let the Navelim constituents decide for themselves the difference between his reign and Churchill’s rule by maintaining a distance. Of course his hand in backroom politics could be seen when former Tourism minister and Benaulim NCP MLA, Mickky Pacheco filed a disqualification petition before the Speaker, which is yet to be decided. That Pacheco tried to withdraw it is a different matter. Then there are rumours that Faleiro played a major role in sticking to the decision of FAME (Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections) disqualifying Valanka Alemao as a candidate for the post of Youth Congress president. Ofcourse in no way Valanka can be considered as a role model for the youth of Goa as there are too many controversies dogging her popularity. Nonetheless, in no way am I of the opinion that Faleiro is a paradigm of virtues. But can politicians ever be?
That leaves the constituents of Navelim with a fresh face and a green horn in politics Avertano Furtado. This probable candidate can match Churchill Alemao with muscle power because of his security business. It would be not out of place to remind the voters that Avertano had provided muscle flexing, armed bouncers for an Education Fest organized by the government in Varca in 2005 during Luizinho’s tenure as Education minister. If having money and muscle power to contest assembly election as the only criteria then Furtado qualifies for it.
Basically Avertano is a shy person who is not very interactive. A person whose oratory skills are yet to known as he has not addressed any public meetings. As elections nears Churchill and Luizinho will start playing their stuck-record of development and their vision, but voters are yet to know what Avertano has to offer. It seems that he held back from openly endorsing his candidature as his close friend Luizinho Faleiro did not give the go-ahead. A leader should have self confidence and conviction to bring about a change but if godfathers are sought then the person shows the qualities of opporturnism. Avertano is also a parent of an unaided school in Margao wherein the management has violated Goa School Education Act and Rules. Parents have raised a banner of protest and even approached the High Court however Avertano has not even lent support to the parents lest voiced his opinion about commercialization of Education. So far he has acted as a silent spectator. People need leaders who will take genuine issues and debate it in Legislative Assembly in a bid to alleviate grievances of the people and stamp, endorse and enforce the law of the land and not be a mere onlooker.
We need to elect candidates who have the courage to fight the existing corruption and communalism. We need candidates who will face the tide instead of flow with it and we need legislators who are willing to undo the mess we are currently in. The constituents of Navelim should decide who among these three have the qualities and will abide by it.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT every Thursday).
For Goa News Log on to WWW.nizgoenkar.net
18th August 2011
Does Churchill Alemao have an uphill task against Luizinho and Avertano in the forthcoming elections?
With the elections to the general assembly in Goa fast approaching politicians – rejected or otherwise are not only preparing grounds to contest but also pampering respective high and low commands to allot them the tickets to contest. It is not that they will not contest if not given a party ticket. They will contest independently or what politicians like Churchill Alemao calls on ‘people’s ticket’.
The scene will unfold in all the assembly constituencies as the elections get nearer. But the picture in delimited Navelim constituency has got clearer with former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro showing his willingness to make a come-back in local politics. This former legislator had withdrawn completely from public life for the last five years after his defeat at the hands of Churchill Alemao. Infact Faleiro in his own words had said in 2008 that he had taken a ‘sanyas’ from politics. With election at the doorsteps he seems to be waking up from hibernation and has made his intention clear of contesting against his bête noire Churchill Alemao. The third person in the fray is supposed to be Avertano Furtado – a close ally of Faleiro and a former goalkeeper of Churchill Brothers. Therefore an interesting triangular match to represent Navelim constituency is on the cards between a football team owner, a former footballer and a smooth operator.
Of course with the victory of Churchill Alemao over Luizinho Faleiro at the lasting hustings constituents of the old Navelim constituency comprising of villages of Varca, Orlim, Carmona, Cavelossim and Navelim had actually jumped from the frying pan to the fire. At the same time anti-incumbency had played a major role in dethroning Faleiro. For a long time, leaders were not forthcoming to contest against him till Churchill came along and changed the tide. So much so that even the BJP which has a vote bank of close to 4500 transferred their votes to him by not fielding a candidate against him. Churchill victory margin was over 4500. Which indicated that Navelim constituents needed a change, unfortunately the change did not bring about any constructive development in the constituency. During the erstwhile Luizinho Faleiro’s reign the main state highways in the constituency would get a fresh coat of premix carpet every five years, which we have not seen during the current five years rule. Of course Churchill has installed reflectors on the either sides of the road throughout his constituency at huge costs. Its golden glow infuses life even in the most tired motorist, but then gold is known to do that to people and whose knows it better then Varca strong man. Another of his achievement is to allow electrification of ornamental street lights installed during the fag end of Luizinho’s term and that too on his birthday. Initially for almost two years Churchill tried to block electrification of these lights questioning, who would pay the bill. Surely it would not come from his pocket as the tax payer would be made to foot it anyway. Of course he can be credited of building a bridge between Varca and Telaulim.
Besides fulfilling this aspect on his election manifesto, Churchill Alemao has done a volte facie on Mopa airport, six laning of national highway, solving the problems between tourist taxi drivers and tour operators. Infact Navelim MLA has inflicted more harm by distancing his voters from himself by blatantly supporting builders and developers against the wishes of his constituents.
Coming to Luizinho Faleiro he seems to have used the last five years not to lick his wounds, but to build a strong rapport with the bigwigs in the Congress at the centre. To add to that he let the Navelim constituents decide for themselves the difference between his reign and Churchill’s rule by maintaining a distance. Of course his hand in backroom politics could be seen when former Tourism minister and Benaulim NCP MLA, Mickky Pacheco filed a disqualification petition before the Speaker, which is yet to be decided. That Pacheco tried to withdraw it is a different matter. Then there are rumours that Faleiro played a major role in sticking to the decision of FAME (Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections) disqualifying Valanka Alemao as a candidate for the post of Youth Congress president. Ofcourse in no way Valanka can be considered as a role model for the youth of Goa as there are too many controversies dogging her popularity. Nonetheless, in no way am I of the opinion that Faleiro is a paradigm of virtues. But can politicians ever be?
That leaves the constituents of Navelim with a fresh face and a green horn in politics Avertano Furtado. This probable candidate can match Churchill Alemao with muscle power because of his security business. It would be not out of place to remind the voters that Avertano had provided muscle flexing, armed bouncers for an Education Fest organized by the government in Varca in 2005 during Luizinho’s tenure as Education minister. If having money and muscle power to contest assembly election as the only criteria then Furtado qualifies for it.
Basically Avertano is a shy person who is not very interactive. A person whose oratory skills are yet to known as he has not addressed any public meetings. As elections nears Churchill and Luizinho will start playing their stuck-record of development and their vision, but voters are yet to know what Avertano has to offer. It seems that he held back from openly endorsing his candidature as his close friend Luizinho Faleiro did not give the go-ahead. A leader should have self confidence and conviction to bring about a change but if godfathers are sought then the person shows the qualities of opporturnism. Avertano is also a parent of an unaided school in Margao wherein the management has violated Goa School Education Act and Rules. Parents have raised a banner of protest and even approached the High Court however Avertano has not even lent support to the parents lest voiced his opinion about commercialization of Education. So far he has acted as a silent spectator. People need leaders who will take genuine issues and debate it in Legislative Assembly in a bid to alleviate grievances of the people and stamp, endorse and enforce the law of the land and not be a mere onlooker.
We need to elect candidates who have the courage to fight the existing corruption and communalism. We need candidates who will face the tide instead of flow with it and we need legislators who are willing to undo the mess we are currently in. The constituents of Navelim should decide who among these three have the qualities and will abide by it.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT every Thursday).
For Goa News Log on to WWW.nizgoenkar.net
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