Honour young champions
Goa has always taken pride in nurturing talent across diverse fields. Yet the lukewarm reception accorded to young chess prodigy Evan Antonio Telles raises serious questions about our commitment to promoting excellence. Representing India at the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 in Sri Lanka, Evan won gold in the Under-8 Rapid category and silver in Blitz, competing against 41 players from several nations. His triumph is not just a personal achievement but a proud moment for Goa and the country. While local and national newspapers highlighted his success, the welcome at Dabolim airport was strikingly subdued. No dignitary, representative of the political class, or organised felicitation marked his return. Only members of the Goa Chess Association, his coach Prakash Singh, family, friends and the press were present to celebrate him. This stands in sharp contrast to the state’s recent ambition of branding Goa as the ‘Chess Capital’, with even the Chief Minister earlier promoting the revival of Chaturanga. If Goa truly aspires to become a hub for chess, celebrating and encouraging our champions must be a priority. Corporate sponsorship and support from business houses should also be actively encouraged. Identifying prodigies early and nurturing them through structured support can help shape future champions. This is not just an investment in sport, but in the intellectual capital of the nation.
Assis Everette Telles, Margao
Save our earth
World Environment Day 2026 falls on 5 June. This year’s theme is ‘Inspired by Nature, for Climate and for Our Future’. The global campaign focuses on climate action, nature-based solutions and accelerating the transition towards a sustainable future. The day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address rising global temperatures and strengthen efforts towards resilient food, energy and land-use systems. It also encourages individuals, communities and businesses to move from awareness to action through practical, real-world solutions. People can mark the occasion by joining or organising community clean-up drives, panel discussions or tree-planting initiatives. But environmental protection must begin not only in our surroundings, but also in our thinking. Unless the mind is free from pollution and brought to a state of peace and moderation, it cannot reflect the inner voice that guides humanity towards progress. Today, we have polluted not only our environment but also our minds. A clean environment helps create a clear and healthy mind. Noise pollution, too, remains a serious environmental concern. Unwanted sound affects the brain, and prolonged exposure may lead to stress, contraction of blood vessels and even hypertension. Pollution in all its forms harms humans, animals, birds, aquatic life, crops and vegetation. Let us act responsibly and do our part to save the Earth.
C K Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
Deputy CM debate
Speculation is rife that the Congress high command may appoint as many as three Deputy Chief
Ministers in Karnataka after
the new Chief Minister takes over, apparently to balance power equations. The post of Deputy Chief Minister holds no constitutional status and is largely a political appointment aimed at accommodating castes, communities and individual ambitions. Creating parallel power centres to keep key competitors in check is another tactic often seen in state politics. With the rise of coalition politics in India, political compulsions led parties to create such positions in states, much like the post of Deputy Prime Minister at the Centre. But are there clear guidelines defining the role of a Deputy Chief Minister? While party high commands and Chief Ministers often downplay the significance of the post by describing it as one among equals, it is widely understood that a Deputy Chief Minister often enjoys influence — official or unofficial — second only to the Chief Minister.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Reshuffle priorities
Over the past few months, there has been much speculation and anticipation surrounding Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s remarks on a cabinet reshuffle and the filling of the vacant cabinet berth following the death of agriculture minister Ravi Naik. This has kept a few MLAs anxious and waiting in the wings. With less than a year left for the 2027 Goa Assembly elections, one wonders how much can realistically be achieved in the time remaining. Instead, it may be more prudent and beneficial for the state if a few ministers are replaced or divested of their present portfolios, particularly in the areas of public works, water resources, power, panchayats and transport. These sectors remain neglected and have fallen short of the promises made to the people of Goa and the larger interests of the state.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
