HERITAGE ACTIVISTS OR PUBLICITY SEEKERS?
Cecil Pinto (via email),Panjim.  

FIRE BRAND COLUMNIST Ethel Da Costa has launched a scathing attack on the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) and how they have conveniently turned a deaf ear to the heritage building destruction caused by the IFFI (“Is GHAG doling out step-motherly treatment to Goa’s heritage”, Goan Observer, June 13, 2004.) Although I don’t agree with the entire article, I do agree with Ethel that there seems to be an imbalance between the work the GHAG does and the relative publicity attached to these works. For example, the publicity blitz following the restoration of the Tonca Pillar was amusing. A grand “inauguration” of sorts was held. Invitations were distributed. Posters, banners, newspaper advertisements... the works. Besides, of course, press notes and TV coverage.

I am sure even the restoration of the Sistine Chapel was not announced with such fanfare! I wonder if any supporter of the GHAG would give us the figures involved in the expenses for labour and material used to restore the Tonca Pillar and also give us the corresponding expense figures for the related media blitz, printing, function, advertising costs etc.? I will wager that the actual restoration costs were a fraction of the expenses and much more money was spent on publicising, and getting attention to this deed.

Looks like there is a serious imbalance here and maybe Ethel is correct when she says, “For certain. I know architects involved in the GHAG (barring one or two) are directed towards their own goals of using heritage as a pretext, to further their bank balance and careers. The same holds true with their involvement in the promenade of Goa’s capital city. The same holds true with their involvement in the municipality’s initiatives. Come on, the cat is out of the bag.”

If public (tax payers) money is being spent by these publicity seekers, then I think they should come out in the open with all expenses involved in the restorations, etc., and the justification for the seemingly unbalanced expenses be made public.

MICKY PACHECO V/S MATHANY SALDANHA
Filipe Soares, Matarraque, Portugal.

IF ONEshould feel happy with the sacking of Micky Pacheco, one should also be equally sad with the nomination of Mathany Saldanha. Differences? Mr. Saldanha is less discreet and less “showy” compared to Mr. Pacheco. Similarities? Everything will continue the same way where corruption is concerned. Mr. Saldanha is not a new face in Goan politics and for a “dictator” like Mr. Parrikar to nominate him as a Minister certainly has some benefits not for the Goan people but for the BJP government. Parrikar is going to have a new “yes” man in his team. A man who will go to the extent of selling his own “mother” to please Mr. Parrikar. I guess with the parting of Micky Pacheco, the Congress Party will have a strong ally in him and it is a matter of time till the BJP government takes the ultimate fall and the Congress Party takes over.

Differences??? None. Similarities???? Substitution of one discreet corrupt government by another openly corrupt government. The irony of all this is that its always
going to be a loss for the Goan people.

DISILLUSIONED GOAN YOUTH
Robin R. D’Souza, Alto Porvorim.

THE ARTICLE in your paper titled “The Great Goan Brain Drain” (May 29-June 4, 2004) highlighted the disillusionment with which Goan youth live. Their great talent, youthful energy and ambition, are being frustrated and therefore their strength a total loss to Goa. What are our so called leaders doing about this – in politics, trade unions, HRD and management? Isn’t it time to raise your voices and help these desperate young people? An unskilled worker has a minimum wage in Goa which is several times higher than those prevailing in other states. No wonder unskilled workers are flooding Goa and creating slums. Whereas graduates get peanuts which is enough just for the petrol of their two-wheelers and new clothes. It’s all very shameful and we cry to the heavens for justice.

The recent move, therefore, of the Government of Goa to bring in new legislation to amend the contractual system of employment in the State is welcome and long over due. For far too long this legislation has been in the Statute books with total disregard of equity, justice and fair play. The youth of the State are totally disillusioned by the unemployment scenario. For the educated there are few good jobs and wages are miserable and the contract system makes nonsense of professionalism, stability and growth in one’s career. Is this management of human resources in the state? The results of survey after survey have shown that educated young Goans are fast leaving their homes and the land they love for better prospects outside Goa.

Job contractors from outside the State have spring up over night and even the best companies, including MNCs, are all part of the racket. Ask any young person and you will hear tales of harassment and exploitation in our land by this new breed of sharks. Don’t the young have the right to a career with good pay and future prospects? It is sad that our so called leaders have done nothing to stop this kind of employment racketeering.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SCAMS
From a concerned parent, George Lobo.

I WOULD like to bring to the notice of the public the malpractices and corruption that is going on in the admission cell of the Education Department. From last year, the Education Department has opened an admission cell to cater to the needs of the student community to get admission in certain schools. My question to Mr. Parrikar, Mr. L.M.T Fernandes and Mr. Pawar is: Under what criteria are students selected and admitted in the schools? Who is controlling the admission cell, the department or the ministers around? I was keen on admitting my child in a prestigious school in Margao and every time I get the answer that Micky Pacheco has grabbed 80% of the seats in the admission cell and that there is no place.

Is Mr. Micky ruling the Education Department today? Or is he getting a heavy cut for every admission? Mr. Pacheco was seen visiting the prestigious schools in Margao and harassing the principals for admission of students who have failed in their entrance exams. How come students who have done badly been given admission in these prestigious schools? Principals normally don’t object for fear of harassment by the Education Department. Why are students who have been admitted in certain schools been given permission by the Department to pull them out in favour of putting them in these prestigious schools?

The Education Department came up with a rule which says that there should not be more than 48 students in a class. Today, they are seen pressuring the principals to take more than 48 students not only in the 1 st and 5th standard but also in the other classes. Why can’t the department follow the rules? I feel that there is total corruption in the admission cell and only those who can give a huge bribe can get admission through the admission cell. Will our Chief Minister make a study of the admission cell and ask Mr. L.M.T Fernandes and Mr. Pawar under what criteria students are selected for admission to certain schools?

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