Coconut at `2: A
festive act of kindness
Once in a while we come across incredible works of charity. These are remarkable acts of kindness and generosity that profoundly impact lives. These stories highlight the power of giving time, resources, and energy to help those in need, with even small contributions making a lasting difference. In Goa one such unbelievable act that takes the cake is to make coconuts available at an unbelievable price of Rs 2 per nut during the festive season of Ganesh Chaturthi. While coconuts are being sold in the market at an exorbitant price of Rs 60 per piece, a Mapusa-based social worker chose to turn the tide. He sold them at an unbelievable price of just Rs 2 per nut. How he does it is a mystery. Even the coconuts being sold by the Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd. (GSHCL) costs Rs 40 per nut. Coconuts form an integral part of Goan cooking. Their demand increases during the festive season of every community. When an individual sells a coconut for Rs 2 it is nothing less than a divine intervention in order to help the poor with the blessings of Lord Ganesha. On top of this, the businessman has been doing it for five consecutive years, offering the humble coconut to the people at a price that speaks more of empathy than economics. It is learnt that the large-hearted citizen has distributed an astounding 8,500 coconuts this year. It is true that not all heroes wear capes. There are also unsung heroes among us. This is a classic example of how everyday people can perform courageous, selfless, and positive acts that make a significant difference in the world, often without any recognition or special powers. May the blessings of Lord Ganesha be upon him.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Power meters
The Electricity Department is publishing notices for consumers to shift the meters outside their homes for accessibility to meter readers. Unfortunately this gives easy access to crooks! A resident of our colony whose house was burgled before, installed CCTV, many cameras, burglar alarm, wifi to remotely monitor etc. The thieves switched off the mains from the meter end thus putting off not only the electricity lights but the whole system! Since the department is planning to do away with meter readers by installing new smart meters, there is no need to put the meters out now. The safety, security and convenience of consumers should come first when there is good governance?
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Coordination failure
That editorial ‘Coordination Failure’ in The Navhind Times dated August 26 was both thought-provoking and perfectly titled. A lack of planning and coordination in infrastructure projects seems to be a common issue, whether in Goa or major cities like Mumbai. In Goa, for example, the closure of a highway section at Porvorim to accommodate the elevated corridor work has caused disruptions. Meanwhile, in Mumbai, civic authorities are moving to demolish centuries-old bridges without fully considering the consequences. The editorial rightly emphasises the need for thorough consultation with affected residents, elected representatives, and better coordination during the planning of such projects. People aren’t opposed to development, but it must serve the best interests of the community.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Honouring Lord Ganesha
Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten day Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and prosperity. The festival is marked by installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public spaces, followed by prayers, rituals, and cultural events. The festival concludes with the immersion of the idols in water, a practice known as visarjan. It is believed that one who worships Lord Ganesha with complete faith and devotion will be blessed with happiness, knowledge, wealth and long life.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
Stray dog crisis
Many developed countries have eliminated stray dogs by implementing policies that focus on sterilization, promoting adoption, and sheltering strays. Instead of merely feeding street dogs or giving lectures on compassion, every dog lover should consider adopting a stray. In India alone, there were 3.7 million dog bite cases last year and 430,000 cases since January this year. The WHO estimates that India experiences 18,000 to 20,000 rabies deaths annually—over a third of the world’s total. Yet, why is there no candlelight march for these victims? Perhaps because many are children from poor families. These underdogs urgently deserve our attention and action.
Sujit De, Kolkata
