Saving Goa’s heritage: A stand against its erosion
The recent anti-mall protests in Old Goa have spotlighted the growing threats to the state’s cultural and historical legacy. Old Goa, once the capital of Portuguese India from the 16th to the 18th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its architectural and cultural significance. The region’s historic churches, such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus—home to the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier—stand as a testament to centuries of rich heritage, symbolising Goa’s unique position as a cultural crossroads. However, under the Centre’s Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), activities such as large-scale tree felling in the buffer zones of Old Goa threaten to disrupt the delicate balance between heritage and development. The Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC), along with concerned citizens, mobilised a protest against the construction of a massive shopping mall directly opposite the Basilica of Bom Jesus. This mall not only poses an architectural and environmental challenge but also disrespects the spiritual sanctity of a site that has been a focal point of religious harmony for centuries. Historically, Goa has seen harmonious coexistence among different communities. Post the annexation of Goa by India in 1961, the state retained its cultural pluralism, which had been shaped over centuries of Portuguese influence. Temples such as the Mangueshi Temple and churches such as Se Cathedral co-exist peacefully, reflecting Goa’s multicultural ethos. Critics argue that the current push for infrastructural development aligned with a singular ideological narrative risks undermining this heritage.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
Missing files in civic bodies
Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA have reportedly lodged a complaint with the Mapusa police over the increased incidents of missing files and alleged mismanagement of the Mapusa Municipal Council. It is learnt that several files related to public works have disappeared from the municipal office and in many cases citizens were forced to submit duplicate documents to get their work done. Such episodes of files going missing is not restricted to only the Mapusa Municipal Council but is also witnessed in other civic bodies across the state. Last year the frequent disappearance of important files and citizens’ records from the Margao Municipality had raised serious concerns about the civic body’s administrative efficiency and accountability as complaints from citizens continued to mount. Such lapses need to be addressed in order to restore public confidence in the civic administration. It is to be noted that in the past, there were several cases wherein even important files from the office had gone missing and no one had a clue about the whereabouts of the files. What could be the reason for files going missing in the civic bodies? Is it negligence on the part of the authorities concerned or is it a deliberate attempt to shelve a particular project. Is it due to corruption that is plaguing the particular civic body? It must be said that once the file is given inward, it becomes the responsibility of the municipal staff. File tracking system plays a critical role in safeguarding important paperwork.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
IPL unwipes the ban
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the ban on using saliva on the ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL) which started yesterday. This has been done with the consent of a majority of captains (NT March 21). The restriction on using saliva was enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since ages, saliva has been used by the bowlers to give a shine and spin to the ball but this practice needs to be stopped. It appears so unhygienic to see a bowler licking his/her fingers and applying spit on the ball. The dust, grime and germs from the ground get transferred from the ball to the bowler’s mouth and in turn the germs from the bowler to the ball. The germs get more hosts when the ball is handled by fielders, umpires and sometimes by the batsmen/women. What if the bowler is suffering from cold, cough or some dormant ailment and this gets transmitted to others? Similarly, applying sweat should also be disallowed. Cricket is considered to be a “gentleman’s game” but it is yucky to watch players, who are paid crores of rupees, licking their tongue and applying spit to the ball and wiping their sweat with/on the ball! The use of flannel cloth kept with the umpire should be the norm to polish the ball. Hope it is implemented by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in all formats of the game.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
