Goodbye, He-Man
The He-Man of Hindi films, known popularly as Garam-Dharam, the heartbeat of Hindi cinema’s golden era, Dharmendra passed away in Mumbai today at 89. Dharmendra was, paradoxically, a combination of masculinity and vulnerability. His swagger, his rugged charm, emotional sincerity and his trademark humour were organic, not manufactured. His acting career spanned over 6 decades and 300 films. He played some of the most loved characters in Hindi films. The idealistic engineer in Satyakam, the wronged truck driver in Pratigya, the loyal friend in Sholay, the prankster professor in Chupke Chupke, the swashbuckling action hero in Dharamveer were some unforgettable movies that showcased Dharmendra’s versatility and adaptability. For a short while after Rajesh Khanna and before Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra ruled the Hindi filmdom. There was a time when he and his son Sunny Deol were romancing the same set of heroines on screen. In the passing of Dharmendra, an era of Hindi cinema has come to an end. Love you, Dharam paaji, you’ll live on through your films.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
RIP Bollywood legends
A heartfelt tribute to the three pillars of Indian cinema: Dharmendra, Asrani, and Dilip Kumar. Their faces, their art, and their timeless grace have defined generations of storytelling, emotion, and memories. Seeing them together in this heavenly setting feels like a reminder that true artistry is eternal. Dharmendra’s warmth, Asrani’s iconic charm, and Dilip Kumar’s unparalleled depth continue to live on in every frame we cherish. They gifted us laughter, love, strength, and stories that shaped our childhoods and remain in our hearts forever. May their legacy keep inspiring future generations, reminding the world what real cinema and real legends look like.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Goa’s sacred insult
It has been reported in the press that a controversial Christmas season event linking Kamasutra camp to Sacred Christmas has been cancelled after intense backlash from all quarters of Goan society. The organisers are from Ludhiana Punjab. Why must the organisers come to Goa to have a Kamasutra camp in Goa, that too on a sacred Christmas Day a very sacred holy Christian religious event. Why can they not have it in Ludhiana on any other religious day, of which there are dozens through the year? Obviously this was a deliberate attempt to cash in on the softness and tolerance of Goan society. Should it not be investigated who is the competent authority which blindly granted licence to hold this event without taking into consideration the sensitiveness and repercussions of linking a Kamasutra camp with the holy sacred Christmas day celebrations ? These are questions that our government must ask of itself, and take appropriate action to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
Rosario Menezes, Vasco da Gama
Mhaje Ghar scheme
Government has enacted laws to regularize houses constructed on Government, Communidade and Private lands under specific conditions and urged citizens to utilise the scheme within the given timeline. I am making a sincere appeal to the Chief Minister through this newspaper to urgently establish a system displaying the details of applications received, along with documents submitted by respective beneficiaries, for regularising their houses or land, accessible online for public viewing, with a clear provision to report any irregularities noticed by citizens to the concerned authorities. If any application is filed using false information, the public can alert officials for appropriate action. This will enhance transparency and curb malpractices during allocation of land or houses under these schemes. Moreover, it will ensure beneficiaries remain vigilant while submitting applications with fabricated documents. Recently, several cases have surfaced of forged papers being submitted by beneficiaries to obtain monetary benefits under government social schemes, and officials have initiated action. There are also legal cases filed by relevant departments regarding issuance of residence certificates with forged signatures and false documents, some still pending action from authorities. Certain matters are even reported to the police department. To qualify for benefits under the Mhaje Ghar Scheme, the primary requirement is a 15-year residence certificate. I trust the authorities will take necessary measures to implement the above suggestion.
Nitin Borker
Defamation debate
The issue of defamation has long troubled citizens in this country. Reputation, it is often said, takes years to build, yet a single careless word or action can demolish a lifetime of carefully earned honour. The “intent” behind a person’s remarks is crucial and must not be overlooked. While the right to free speech comes with inherent limits, it is essential to distinguish fair criticism from defamation. The constitutional provisions relating to freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) and the right to reputation as part of the right to life under Article 21 deserve fresh examination.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
