From excitement to chaos
Having spent the first 23 years of my life in Kolkata (and now living 34 years in Faridabad, though I often returned to Kolkata for football matches), I know well how passionately Bengalis love football. So, it is no surprise that in the Mecca of Indian football, thousands of fans would turn out for the arrival of arguably the world’s greatest footballer, Lionel Messi. This mirrors a historic moment in September 1977, when Brazilian legend Pele visited Kolkata to play an exhibition match for the New York Cosmos against Mohun Bagan at Eden Gardens. Over 40,000 fans mobbed Pele at the airport, and nearly 80,000 packed the stadium—even on a waterlogged pitch—to catch a glimpse of the icon. I was among them, sharing the excitement. Today, India’s football scene is still overshadowed by cricket, which attracts the lion’s share of money. As organizer Satadru Dutta noted, Messi’s visit could energise Indian football: “Never ever have so many sponsors come together for a football star. Even if 10 percent of that money goes to developing Indian football, it would be a huge boost.” Messi’s presence was, undoubtedly, a joyous occasion and a rare opportunity to promote the sport. Unfortunately, the event in Kolkata turned chaotic due to poor management by politicians and VIPs. The frenzy at dawn gave way to fury by noon and bedlam by afternoon. At Salt Lake Stadium, tens of thousands of fans who had paid steep prices for a glimpse of Messi saw him for barely minutes. Word quickly spread that he had left within 22 minutes of his scheduled two-hour program. Frustrated and irate, fans stormed the playing arena, dismantled goalposts, and cut netting, forcing the police to resort to a lathi charge. In response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi, his fans, and sports lovers, and announced an inquiry committee to investigate the mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium.
Bidyut K Chatterjee, Faridabad
Goa’s political crossroads
Arvind Kejriwal’s recent rally in Goa, which drew an unexpectedly large turnout, has injected fresh energy into the state’s political landscape. Many observers note that this surge of public interest comes despite AAP’s limited presence in the state—two MLAs and a single Zilla Panchayat member—highlighting a widening gap between voter sentiment and the current political establishment. Kejriwal’s criticism of the ruling party’s governance struck a chord largely because the issues he raised are quantifiable and visible. According to publicly available data from state agencies and local civic bodies, Goa has reported thousands of potholed related complaints over the past two years, with several stretches of national and state highways repeatedly flagged for poor maintenance. These are not abstract grievances; they affect daily commuters, tourism operators, and local businesses.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Goa eyes Starlink
It is learnt that the Goa government is reportedly actively exploring a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to bring high-speed satellite internet to remote areas, improving connectivity for villages, fishing communities, schools, and health centers, and boosting tourism. Feasibility studies are reportedly underway to bridge connectivity gaps and support the state’s “Digital Goa” vision. Formal discussions began recently, involving Starlink executives and top state officials. The state plans to ask Starlink to conduct studies on providing last-mile internet in rural regions. Starlink’s services are seen as crucial for achieving the state’s goals for digital inclusion and infrastructure. It will address connectivity issues in areas with poor network coverage. It will offer fast, reliable internet for homes, businesses, and mobile use, even in rural or challenging terrains like mountains or forests. It will support demanding online activities such as streaming, online gaming, remote work, and provides critical connectivity during emergencies when local networks fail. Starlink is a satellite internet constellation by SpaceX, a company owned by Elon Musk, using thousands of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide high-speed, broadband internet to users globally, especially in remote areas lacking traditional internet infrastructure like fiber or cable.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Scrapyard fire
After road accidents, scrapyard fires are now making headlines. Over the past month, three scrapyards have caught fire—two in Sancoale and Zuarinagar, and one in Verna. These scrapyards operate without proper licenses or required safety measures. When a fire breaks out, the entire unit is engulfed, producing smoke that affects the health of nearby residents, while debris remains with no corrective action taken. All scrapyards, both in village and urban areas, should be regularly inspected by authorities and issued notices if found non-compliant. Most of these scrapyards are open spaces storing plastic and other hazardous materials that pose significant health risks. Inspections must focus on valid NOCs, fire safety compliance, and proper location.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
