THE REAL MANOHAR PARRIKAR

 

By Aires Rodrigues

I have absolutely nothing personal against Manohar Parrikar with whom I have a very cordial relationship. Over the last 40 years I have highlighted wrongs done by successive governments and this mission I shall relentlessly pursue till my very end. During the Congress rule I was branded as a BJP man, now the BJP may feel I am an agent of the Congress. But I am what I am and so shall I remain, uncompromising and outspoken against anything that is wrong. I believe in fearlessly taking the bull by the horn.

Unlike his earlier stint as Chief Minister people thought that learning from his past mistakes that Manohar Parrikar would change for the better. Far from it, he has been a disaster. The problem with Mr. Manohar Parrikar is that he continues to be a bad listener. Unable to tolerate any criticism. His arrogance which he had craftily masked during last year’s election campaign now stands exposed. His autocratic style of functioning has no place in our democratic set up. A shrewd manipulator, Mr. Parrikar is a man who cannot be trusted for his word. He can give you a twist in the tale and take you on a joy ride into the fool’s paradise. A good leader has to be humble, caring, sensitive and without ego.

As part of his cunningly orchestrated political stunts Manohar Parrikar may have driven pillion on Caitu’s scooter at Benaulim, ridden a bicycle at Rachol and bought grams at the Navelim feast. These are all antics of a politician which by now will fool no Goan. His attendance at weddings and funerals of one and all will also mesmerize none. His mandate was for Zero tolerance to corruption and good governance with utmost transparency. What we have seen instead is over 11 months of a chaotic one man rule, riddled with a mountain of U turns. Manohar Parrikar stands red faced, but sadly he does not see his own face.

I am sure he must be working overtime to try and corner me. Fortunately as a lawyer I am not dependent on the government for my daily bread. My 35 sq mt office keeps me content. No desire of a multi storeyed office or a fleet of Mercedes alike my friend Atmaram Nadkarni.

Manohar Parrikar’s vindictive nature is now known to all. He must be yearning to catch me on the wrong foot but I act strictly within the parameters of law. I have no property for the Government to acquire as otherwise he would have definitely tried to settle scores by invoking the Land acquisition Act. He would be happy to see me fined whilst talking on the phone while at the wheel. But I have vowed not to take any call even the Chief Minister’s. I never over speed and always wear a seat belt. He will never get an occasion to use a breathalyzer on me as I never take to the wheels after hitting the Tuborg. The only rule I have been violating is of not going to Church every Sunday. But on this matter it is not Mr. Parrikar but his neighbor the Archbishop of Goa who can pull me up. And of course he may try and penalize me for not wearing a helmet. But Mr. Chief Minister I have now already bought one.

I have known Manohar Parrikar for over a decade and half but there are persons who could be a better judge of him. Vijay Khot, Dayanand Sopte and Rajesh Patnekar were his MLAs and have worked very closely with the Master of all U turns for many long years. They may be in a better position to speak about Manohar Parrikar the Man, his character, integrity and trustfulness. However, I earnestly appeal to Mr. Manohar Parrikar to take criticism positively and change his style of functioning and begin acting as a good decent leader, before it gets the better of him. I rest my case.

G.O.A ROLLING TROPHY - KUWAIT.

                                                        

AVC, UFC AND KERALA CHALLENGERS IN LAST FOUR

Don Bosco Oratory, KGA and Santos United make exit

 

United Friends Club (UFC) came one step closer to finally grabbing the prestigious GOA Rolling Trophy when they subdued a strong Kuwait Goan Association (KGA) 2-0, while AVC Cultural & Sports Association, and Kerala Challengers also joined them in the semi finals of the 19th edition of the ongoing G.O.A Rolling Trophy organized by Goan Overseas Association (Goa Maroons) and played at the MOH Grounds in Shuwaikh on 15th February 2013 under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation.

Although it was KGA who started well with a couple of good moves initiated by Vitorin Mendes and Agnelo Martins, it was once again goalkeeper Martin Dias who kept UFC in the game with a penalty save in the 25th minute of the first half. Mathew Fernandes made it 1-0 for UFC in the 40th minute when he scored from a cross and Remedio put the game beyond KGA when the referee awarded a penalty in the 57th minute. The match was officiated by David of IFRA and assisted by Mubarak Yousuf and Nikush.

In the second quarter final, although Santos United put up a spirited fight, they were no match for title favourites AVC and went down fighting 0-3. Anthony Rodrigues of AVC scored the first goal in the very 5th minute of the first half and was on the score sheet again in the 17th minute of the second half. The very talented Savio Fernandes added a third in the dying minutes of the game to set up a mouth watering semi-final clash with Kerala Challengers next week. The match was officiated by Mubarak Yousuf and he was assisted by Pascoal and David in the lines.

Stamina and strength was the backbone of Kerala Challengers 1-0 victory over a youthful Don Bosco Oratory in the last match of the day. In some rousing end to end action, Kerala Challengers scored in the 8th minute of the first half when Jinesh latched on to a pass from Fajilu to put his team in the front. Don Bosco Oratory came back strongly with Ashton, Loyed, Alexandro and Michael playing some delightful soccer, but the equalizer eluded them. A penalty in the 18th minute when a Kerala Challengers defender handled the ball was shot wide by the usually dependable Loyed drawing groans by the DBO supporters. Both teams missed a number of chances in the second half, with Michael of Don Bosco coming closest to scoring, and the game ended 1-0 in favour of Kerala Challengers. The match was officiated by Philip and assisted by Pascoal and Julio Cardoso.

The Semi Finals on 22/2/2013 will feature AVC & Cultural Association taking on high flying Kerala Challengers at 6:45am followed by Real Betalbatim versus United Friends Club at 8:30am. Teams are requested to report on time

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait

IS GOA GOVERNMENT SERIOUS ON CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN ?

 

By Aires Rodrigues

 

The Goa Government seems not to be serious on prosecuting those responsible for crimes against Children. Though the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 came into force on 14 November 2012, the Goa police are still using the Goa Children’s Act and apparently, are not even aware of the existence of this Central enactment.

The Central Act was passed by Parliament in May 2012 and under its ambit defines child as a person below the age of 18 and is gender neutral and has a clear definition for all types of sexual abuses like sexual harassment, penetrative or non-penetrative sexual abuse and pornography.

Under Article 254 of the Indian Constitution once the Central Act came into force the Goa Children’s Act impliedly stood repealed in as much as the doctrine of occupied field would come into play, by which the State Legislation would become void. Any proceedings initiated under the Goa Children’s Act would automatically be illegal and void.

The Central Act has defined the punishments following the kind and harshness of the offence that includes life imprisonment for heinous crimes of sexual assaults and abuses. The Act under its ambit has tried to set up the standards of International Child Protection Rights and has made it mandatory to report the sexual offences against any child. Punishment against the person trying the allegedly defame any person that also includes a child via false information is mentioned in this Act.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 has defined the ways to provide a child friendly process of offence reporting to evidence recording, trial and even investigation. Section 45 of the Act allows the Union Government to make the necessary changes in the Act, whenever and wherever required.

All the rules have been structured and framed relying upon the Juvenile Act, 2000 for making arrangements in regards to the care and protection of the child. The devised rules of the Act also pay attention to the fact that the child is not re-victimised at time of investigation as well as trial. The Act has also made it clear that under situations in which the child is being taken for the medical facility on an emergency factor that no documentation or magisterial requisition would be demanded before the treatment.

The Rules laid down in the Act also defines the criterion of awarding the compensation by the Special court that includes loss of educational and employment opportunities along with disability, disease or pregnancy suffered by the subject as the consequence of the sexual abuse. This compensation would be awarded at the interim stage as well as after the trial ends.

In the recent Vasco Rape case the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 have not been invoked. Is the entire attempt by the authorities aimed at letting the accused go scot free at the end of the trial, for having been prosecuted under a non existent law? Can it be believed that the law enforcing agencies are so naive or ignorant about the law of the land as it stands or are they functioning under pressure or dictates of a hidden hand?