Voice of courage
Some souls are not meant to live long, but to live loudly. Fr Bolmax Pereira was one of them. At just 50, he left us in the early hours of Tuesday at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. The shock has still not settled, because men like him are expected to be immortal. He wore his cassock and carried the courage of a revolutionary. He did not preach from a distance. He was on the ground — at protest sites, at hunger strikes, in villages resisting builders and bulldozers. He offered not just prayers, but his presence, his voice and his moral strength. His ‘Maan ki Baat’ from the pulpit was Goa’s weekly dose of truth. No sugar-coating. No fear. Just facts about what was happening to our land and what needed to be done to protect it. Fr Bolmax Pereira was Goa’s conscience at a time when conscience was in short supply. A God-sent gift who reminded us that faith without justice is empty. You may have left us, dear Father, but your courage remains. Your truth remains. Goa will keep your fight alive.
Fr Bolmax, you will always remain in our hearts and will be deeply missed.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Rooted legacy
The untimely demise of Rev Fr Bolmax Pereira has left Goa poorer in spirit, service and humanity. In his passing, Goa has lost not only a devoted priest and social activist but a true son of the soil. Fr Bolmax embodied simplicity, compassion and a deep bond with nature. With an MSc in Ecology and Environment and a PhD in Botany, he also served as Assistant Professor at St Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim. As parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim, he rose beyond the traditional role of a clergyman, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. At a time of uncertainty, he inspired hope through action. His Chicalim Youth Farmers’ Club brought together youth and farmers, helping revive fallow fields while promoting agriculture as a meaningful and viable livelihood. Under his guidance, young people learned farming, teamwork, discipline and respect for nature. A passionate advocate of organic farming, ecological conservation and responsible living, Fr Bolmax reminded people that caring for the earth is a sacred duty. He led by example — working with the people, not from a distance. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in every field revived, every sapling planted and every life he touched. Goa will remember him with gratitude and pride.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Fuel price burden
Over the past fortnight, fuel prices have risen by around Rs 15 per litre in four instalments. The increases included two hikes of Rs 1 each, one of Rs 3 and an initial steep rise of Rs 10. The smaller increases appear to be a play on public psychology, making the hikes seem less significant. However, people are not unaware of the impact, and they feel it directly at the petrol pump. The price hikes came soon after the Assembly elections, seemingly to avoid affecting voting patterns, although the Iran war had begun much earlier. The stated reason is to offset losses suffered by oil marketing companies due to rising international crude prices linked to the conflict. Since most oil marketing companies are government-owned, there was room to absorb at least part of the burden. Just as the government reduced excise duty earlier, taxes and duties on fuel could have been rationalised to cushion consumers from the impact. Both the central and state governments could have cooperated in this public-interest measure. With the Iran conflict now appearing to ease, the burden on oil companies may not have lasted long. It may be time to consider a dynamic fuel pricing mechanism linked transparently to international oil prices, while allowing the Centre and states fixed tax components. A regular fortnightly or monthly revision cycle would help consumers better understand domestic price changes and their global linkages.
S Kamat, Mysore
Humanity in decline
A long time ago, after the horrific end of World War II and the Vietnam War, came the songs that cried out for humanity, asking: how many times can a man turn his head, pretending he just doesn’t see? What is obvious today is that the language of violence is increasingly becoming the norm, while humanity and morality are being thrown to the winds. Mega projects are planned, a million trees cut, and mountains levelled without consulting the people, and with little regard for birds, animals, and flora. This has a devastating effect on humanity, the land and the climate. Forests are cut in the Andaman Islands while trees are replenished in North India; tribal families who have lived there for generations suddenly find their land declared illegal, and bulldozers upend lives. Our CM criticises RGP for caste- and religion-based politics while openly promoting Hindutva philosophy and Hindu Rashtra, using caste and religion to win elections. Section 39A was legislated to bring minor corrections to the Regional Plan, but it is being used for the piecemeal devastation of Goa. Declaring a minuscule percentage as NDZ under this section fools no one. Even the peaceful Enough is Enough movement has not been able to stop it.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
