Are contract killers active in Goa?
The Calangute Police reportedly detained a suspect from Karnataka in connection with the murder of a senior citizen at his residence at Orda, Candolim.
There is fear and anxiety in the minds of the people across the State due to the increasing number of murders taking place. There is a need to intensify police patrolling at night, installation of night vision CCTV cameras at the exit/entrance points of every village and city in the State. Those moving suspiciously in the dead of the night need to be rounded up for questioning. It is observed that in most murder cases, robbery is not the motive as valuables are untouched at the crime scene.
In many instances, the murder could be related to property disputes. This brings us to the important question as to whether contract killers are active in the State.
Contract killers, also known as hit-men, are for real and many of them are professional killers. It is learnt that for as little as Rs 40,000, some of these dreaded murderers are available for hire in the country, willing to fire a gun or wield a knife. The services of contract killers also known as ‘supari killers’ could be utilised to settle old scores or grab land in property disputes.
The police need to investigate whether contract killers from other States are active in Goa.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Is Sunburn a boon or bane for Goa?
The Sunburn festival was held for many years in North Goa, but was it a boon for Goa and especially for the increase in tourism?
Many learned people of Goa, including some elected representatives said it had no effect on tourism and tourists arrival, but in fact people and families of north Goa youngsters and even students were lured to drugs and many families have become bankrupt due to the drugs menace which has even reached near the schools in North Goa.
As per news on media and cable channels, for this, the people of Goa need to be vigilant and put pressure on the government not to allow such festivals in Goa, which promote ‘drug culture’. These will have a huge impact on our youth, who are a future of Goa and if Sunburn is really not promoting ‘drug culture’ then they should start the Sunburn music festival in alcohol banned States like Gujarat and Bihar which will increase revenue by increasing tourism in these States.
I am not sure whether these States will allow this dance and ‘drug culture’ in their respective States to protect their own culture. The MLAs of North and South Goa should put aside their differences and fight tooth and nail to not allow Sunburn in Goa as it is a bane not a boon for Goa. Our youth and students fall prey to this drug menace and are used as drug carriers/couriers.
Hence, if we want to save our children from the drugs cartel, then all Goans, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and political affiliations, should not allow Sunburn in Goa as such festivals only promote ‘casino culture’ and not Goan culture. So Goans raise your voices against drug menace before it is too late.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Reintroduce Konkani programme on AIR
Several years have lapsed that All India Radio Panjim has stopped broadcasting Konkani programmes such as songs sung by the Goan artistes and recorded at the studios. The songs were broadcast daily from 2.10 pm to 2.30 pm. To name a few, these Goan artistes were Tomazinho and Irene Cardozo, late Alan Costa, late Chico Costa, including me. I fervently appeal to the Director of All India Radio Panjim to reintroduce these programmes for the ardent listeners.
Aureo Cunha Gomes, Mapusa
Remembering Mandela, the causes he stood for
Human rights, universal brotherhood, world peace, democratic values, conflict resolution, poverty alleviation, woman emancipation, etc, were dear to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
Fighting apartheid to foster multiracial democracy, Nelson Mandela, the Father of Modern South Africa, was beyond comparison because he knew ‘it is easy to break; difficult to build’.
The very fact that a person could spend 27 years in prison for a singular and noble cause, dedicated to mankind, separated Nelson Mandela from other leaders of his time. Mandela’s qualities of heart and head made him stay put to achieve his goals for the sake of his countrymen who suffered the ignominy of apartheid.
His efforts to bridge the gap between the haves and the have nots also contributed towards his popularity. As a child, he struggled with poverty that metamorphosed him into a challenger of penury in later life. Mandela could have been the president of South Africa till he wished to, but the man’s dislike for power and pomp was so evident when he sought not to continue in office after five years.
Even post-retirement, he did not rest on his laurels, and went on to fight the dreaded AIDS. Remembering him, and the causes he stood for, are the objectives of Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
‘Camlin’: Dandekar’s legacy will always be remembered
With the demise of Subhash Dandekar, the founder of Camlin stationery products and chairman emeritus of Kokuyo Camlin, the nation has lost an entrepreneur and mentor who redefined the writing, learning and drawing passion of millions of Indians especially the younger generations for so many decades.
The generations of the pre and post millennium can never forget the Camlin brand of ink, crayons, pencils, pens, colour material, geometry boxes and notebooks. The Camlin brand remains etched in the hearts of the children of those decades and the office going adults will never forget the brand’s files and other stationery items.
D P Dandekar and G P Dandekar founded the Dandekar and Company in 1931, producing the Horse brand items. The company became globally popular with Subhash Dandekar taking its helm and coming out with the Camlin stationery items and later diversifying to art products which within years became a globally recognized name and an iconic art brand. The generations of 1970s, 80s and 90s can never forget Camlin compass boxes and art materials. His contribution touched countless lives. For many, Camlin is synonymous with school days, from sketch pens to colour boxes to geometry boxes. His legacy in shaping education and creativity will be remembered forever.
M Pradyu, Kannur