LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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Restoring Margao's Lost GloryI REMEMBER the days when parents would take us kids to the Margao Municipal garden to play. The garden park used to be well kept and clean, there were a lot of slides and swings and even a crocodile. Those were the days when Vasudev Sarmalkar, Gajanan Gaundalkar and later Valmiki Faleiro were a part of the municipality. People still remember how he went beyond politics, culture and religious divides to give Margao good civic governance (NT, March 13). And although Goa lost a promising politician in Mr Valmiki the moment he quit active politics after his stint in the municipality, it is very heartening to read Mr Valmiki’s articles and columns in the local dailies, where he takes us on a nostalgic trip of Goa’s politics, history and culture. I hope Mr Savio Coutinho who has inherited all the issues of Margao will show some promise in cleaning it up and give the people of Margao a clean and healthy environment.

THIS has reference to the disturbing news in the local dailies that Mr Pramod Mutalik will launch Shri Ram Sena (SRS) in Goa by March end. Mr Ravi Naik has done a good deed by stating that the Goa Government will not allow the SRS in Goa. All Goans must support this unanimously, whether they are Hindus, Muslims or Christians. Goa has a predominantly cosmopolitan culture and a thriving tourism industry. The coming of SRS in Goa will mean the end of all this. The SRS has the knack of recruiting frustrated and jobless young men as its cadres. These then go on to execute the perverted ideals of its leader, Mr Mutalik. The SRS is not about Hindutva; it’s the talibanisation of Hinduism, a plural and most tolerant religion. Mr Mutalik has a problem with women going to pubs and wearing western outfits. Why does he not set an example by commanding all his cadres to drop the trousers and wear dhotis instead? As far as salwar kameez is concerned; who said it was Indian anyway. The Mugals brought it here. So who defines what is Indian culture and what is not. The beauty of India is its diversity, its plural culture and its inherent character to absorb. Unfortunately some people just don’t see this. I appeal to all Goans not to sign up if and when the SRS commences its recruitment drive.

THE Mapusa municipality should not allow any constructions in Mapuca as the area is already saturated. There are constructions coming up right on the road and there is no space for road widening? Has the Mapusa Municipal Council given any thought to parking? Common sense tells us that a commercial complex needs a lot of parking space. Roadsides cannot be used for parking of vehicles. The Government of Goa should make it compulsory for buildings to have underground parking and also make it compulsory for all builders to form a co-operative housing society. It is high time the High Court steps in and rules in favour of the citizens of Mapusa.

THE Pakistan government has lost total control over its people. With this unstable Pakistan in the region, India has to divert its attention from economic development issues to border security issues. For our own good, we need to help Pakistan stabilise rather than have it seek help from the USA and UK. In the long run we need to take Pakistan into confidence. If we do that, we would also be spending less on the security of our country, as we will have Pakistan on our side.