The medium of instruction issue

Have we just let the politicians distract us from the more important things and taken us for a ride? I am referring to the MOI issue that seems to have taken everyone's attention lately.

Not for a minute do I want to trivialize the importance of the subject itself. However, the way the topic has manifested itself and the direction it has taken are something we need to closely introspect.

Coming back to the topic itself, I am a big supporter of the MOI being in the local language until middle school with English as a subject. One of the key element of local identify is our language which is unfortunately losing out. The number of Goans who use Konkani as a language of communication is dwindling at a rapid pace. What recourse do we have before we lose our language itself?

I am aware of the argument that English is an extremely important language and very important in the workplace. But should this argument impact the current risk we face of losing our identity? I believe the current generation is exposed to English in many forms and hence masters the language through many other means.

Are we forsaking our identify and future by promoting English as a MOI?

Tehelka Tapes India Pak match fixing conversations

The derogatory ad

Refer to my earlier post.

Someone managed to send me a link to the ad posted on Flickr.

Read the ad. It's nauseating.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Picture courtesy joegoaukextra2

Dr. Hubert Gomes

"Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote."

William E. Simon

I bowed my head in shame as I read the the recent advertisement in O Heraldo (5th February 2011) put up by some supporters of Churchill Alemao. Unfortunately I am not able to download the ad itself hence I am providing a link here.

I am angry. I am ashamed.

But then, it's time we looked inwards. Are we partly responsible for the result? In the words of William E Simon, it is our good Goans who continue to vote such incompetent representatives to the assembly. As the next assembly elections draw near, its time to come out in large numbers and vote judiciously. Vote for candidates who have a vision and commitment for Goa. A candidate who can influence and develop policies that strengthen Goa and the niz goenkar.

Today, as I read the tirade against Dr. Hubert Gomes in O Herald, I am even more determined to vote. And vote for people like Dr. Hubert Gomes who I believe has accomplished so much in his career and can genuinely contribute to the betterment of Goa.

Please pass on this message to your friends and relatives.

The time has come.

Goan Houses 4

The World Cup fever in Goa

The World Cup has reached mid way after a series of upsets that saw a few of the European giants bite the dust. The football fever seems to be reaching a crescendo in Goa as everyone is looking forward to Portugal's next match against Spain.

Did you say Portugal?

So what is it that excites Goans about Portuguese football? After having been 'colonized' by the Portuguese for over 400 years, what is it that draws Goans to cheer for the Portuguese so passionately?

It puzzles me to see the Portuguese colors don the imagination of Goans so strongly. Is it a reflection of the Goan's love in general for the Portuguese? Is it something only restricted to the Portuguese speaking elite? Is it because the players' names sound a lot more familiar than Drogbas and Rooneys? Or is it plain hangover?

Spotted this car painted in the Portuguese colors during one of my trips to the south to attend an old friends funeral.

The Nadia Torrado Case - Suicide or cold blooded murder

Lot of the dust seems to have settled down and the initial shock effect may have drained down. It's time to put the sketchy evidence and look at possible final closures.

What has really stunned many people is the calm and composure of the mother, Sonia. Right through the events since Nadia was admitted to Apollo hospital in Margao, there is something about Sonia that would have startled the best criminal investigation brains.

The initial statements and newspaper coverage seemed to suggest that Nadia may have poisoned herself by mistake. Having met Nadia couple of times and having a fair understanding of this young lady it seems very strange that such an event could have happened. Nadia was an extremely intelligent young lady who would have identified the substance the moment it was placed on a toothbrush. I have used Godrej shaving cream a couple of times on my toothbrush. And yes it seriously does not taste like my Colgate.

First of all, why a tube of Ratol be in the place of a normal tube of toothpaste seems to fox me. Even though Nadia's house in Loutulim could have faced big challenges from rats, its very suspicious that the entire tube was placed near a wash basin where the toothpaste may have been normally placed. Let us for a moment assume that the tube may have been left behind by mistake after someone have placed enough of its contents around the house to taken care of the infestation. Why would she have used such a lot of the contents on her tooth brush?

Many by now will understand that no such error took place and that this perhaps is a sure case of suicide. Sure case? As sure as the contradictory statements coming out from the family and close friends?

If one were to trace back the events in Nadia's life over the last 3 years, even the dumbest of brains will suspect murder. Nadia had now become an important liability. As MP's relationship with Nadia continued to go down, another very interesting love relationship was taking shape right next door. A relationship that will have eventually posed serious threat to Nadia's life. As much a serious threat as Nadia will have posed if she was still around. Nadia had to be eliminated at all costs. Her being alive will have posed even bigger risk to the new love story. She may have threatened to spill the beans.

It is said that a mother's love knows no bounds. The mother's new love knew no bounds and finally proved stronger. Nadia had to go.

As the events of the next few days unfold, it will be much clearer that Nadia may have been murdered. Murdered in cold blood by the 2 people closest to her.

This of course is only my little Sherlock Holmes type interpretation. Let us hope the legal system is able to throw light on the truth. Soon.