Goanetters annual year-end meet is on Dec 27, 2010 (Monday) from 4-6 pm at Institute Piedade (near Hotel Mandovi, opp Bread & More) in Panjim. Do come along. RSVP via SMS 9822122436, [email protected] or 2409490 (after 2 pm).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cyril D'Souza makes some worthy points. Impossible points, now that Goa has reached a point of no return, but worthy ones nonetheless. I do, however, have a 'point of order' with regards to one particular sentence in Cyril's post i.e. " Its no use blaming the politicians WHEN WE OURSELVES are CORRUPT" Would it not, I ask, be more appropriate to restate that sentence as follows: Its no use blaming the politicians WHEN WE OURSELVES have become CORRUPT"? When I read about the corruption that has infected all segments of the Indian fabric, including the Indian armed forces and even cricket, I submit that ALL that has happened to the Goan populace is that they have joined mainstream India. I sincerely hope someone disagree with my assessment, and does so by advising that Goa was always corrupt and that India is not as corrupt as the press makes it out to be. Then, I will provide personal anecdotal evidence (for what it is worth) from Benaulim and Dabolim. No, none of it involves Goans who have accepted or succumbed to the 'either bribe or else' dictum. Sincerely jc cyril D'Souza <[email protected]> wrote: To The Editor, Herald Publications Panjim, Goa 26th December 2010 Dear Sir, With refrerence to the wonderful article titled: ' will we as voters stop being corrupt' ( Herald 26th Dec.) Mr. Sujay Gupta has really writtern a wonderful and thought provoking account on tthe main reasons why we goan electorate get what we deserve . That is to say corruption from all levels be it MPs , MLAs and even ordinary panchayat members are involved in corruption. Recently a friend of mine settled abroad had to construct a compound wall which he did in record time of three weeks with all the necessary licenses when I enquired he replied that he just gave the 'buggers' some baksheesh ! It is natural that when at election time the candidates spend and distribute so much money they naturally have to recover it and that they do fourfold. Now it is an accepted fact in Goa that votes are given to the highest bidder nowonder the corruption has reached such disgracing levels . Its no use blaming the politicians WHEN WE OURSELVES ARE CORRUPT , get our jobs done by paying bribes and vote and elect elements who are not even fit to run the affairs of their homes leave alone those of the state . It is high time people are warned against receiving money at time of elections and told that the money they receive is cursed . It is high time people give such unscrupulous panchas , MLAs and MPs who contribute nothing towards the betterment of the state the boot. *Both politicians and diapers need to be changed often and for the same reason !!f **Col.Cyril P.D'Souza ( Retd.)
