Of Izzack Peachman and the disaster that is Goan journalism

After Kolkatta, Goa probably has the highest concentration of writers per sq.km. in India. This singular fact could be due to the proximity to the sea, or all that fish. You would think that this proliferation of writers of all abilities (and from all over the world) would result in a very high standard of journalism.

Not so.

In my opinion, Goa's newspapers are pretty casual about their writing. Not only is the reporting amateurish, but the sub-editing is non-existent.

Pick up any edition of a local (English) daily. You can choose between the TOI Goa edition, the Navhind Times, the Herald and the Gomantak Times. I challenge you to find one that is error free.

Skimming through yesterday's Herald (it is too depressing to read through every 'report'), you'll find that page 14 had a half-page article on a young Goan violinist Chernoll Mendonca. The headline for the profile: ' A Musical Chernobyle called Chernoll'.

If I was Chernoll, I wouldn't be too pleased about being called a musical 'Chernobyle'. Do Herald's reporters/editors know what Chernobyl is? Comparing that poor boy to one of the world's worst nuclear disasters cannot, in any way, be a flattering thing. Having read the local papers, I can only justify this with the rationale that the reporter/sub-editor (or whoever was responsible for this disaster) thought they were making a clever play on the Chernobyle / Chernoll connection.

Bah.

If I were Chernoll, I wouldn't add this to my press cuttings file.

In the same article, the reporter writes:

Chernoll's...cell phone is home to the music of Enrique, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Fray, Eagles, Bryan Adams and various others in these categories. He is quick to assert the devotion for the Israeli violinist Izzack Peachman.

Izzack Peachman.

Seriously. It says so in black and white on Page 14.

Perhaps there is a famous Israeli violinist called Peachman, responsible for inspiring Goan violinists (which would explain certain things),but I doubt it.

With fact-checking apparently non-existent,the sheer laziness of our reporters is revealed to thousands of people every morning. How hard is it to do an internet search when you are faced with an unfamiliar name? How difficult is it to double check a spelling or what you think is a pun?

When people describe Goa as a writer's paradise, one needs to question why, despite literary giants living amongst us, is our standard of journalism (and professionalism in journalism) so poor?

Any answers?

Monte Music Festival 2009

Animal Rescue, Goa - List of numbers

Happy New Year, everybody!

The other night, Mr. R and I were on the way back from a lovely anniversary (4 years!) dinner at Le Poisson-Rouge at the Baga River when we noticed a stray dog lying on the road, surrounded by stones. We stopped and asked a shopkeeper opposite and we were told that the dog was hit by a speeding car. They had given him some water and didn't know what else to do.

Mr. R had a number for an animal rescue organisation and we called them up. It was 11pm by then and not surprisingly, there was no response. Fortunately, the dog seemed to revive, and with a whole pack of similar looking dogs watching with great concern (along with an RAF man, gun and all) from the other side of the road, he got up and limped uncertainly into the dark.

This morning, Mr. R and I have been working on a list of rescue agents in Goa. Unfortunately, we've not yet found a 24 hour helpline that will pick up an injured animal.

However, if you come across a sick or injured animal, here's where to call:
(* information still being updated as it is often difficult to get through to some numbers - not a good sign!)

North Goa
PAWS (Panjim Animal Welfare Society)
Phone: 0832 -2225850
Timings: 9.30am - 12 pm / 2pm-5pm
Area: Panjim Municipality Area only

International Animal Rescue
Phone: 0832-2268328 / 2268272
Timings: 8.30am - 5.30pm

Goa SPCA (Socrates Oliver Veterinary Hospital)
Phone: 0832 - 2416180
Timings:

SOUTH GOA
GAWT (Goa Animal Welfare Trust)
Phone: 0832 2759849
Timings:

Wildlife in Christmas cribs : Take action

A message from WildGoa:

Very sadly, this year too, villagers making cribs for christmas have used protected wild life species such as the python in their cribs. Such a crib was located in coastal South Goa.

Despite WildGoa's efforts to create awareness on these important issues, people refuse to understand what an animal goes through when tortured.

Two years back, wild animals such as the python and a monitor lizard were being served ICE CREAM and CHOCOLATES. Sad.

WildGoa urges you to please inform us if you locate any such cribs which are using live animals as exhibits. Please inform Clinton Vaz at 9890936828 or Aaron Pereira at 9923269797. Informers will be kept confidential.

WildGoa along with the Forest Dept. of Goa are planning a raid anytime now to check for these violations. If you see them, please do not hesitate to inform us. Once again, your identity will be kept confidential.

7 days to Christmas...

December's a traditionally busy month, but this one's been a little more hectic than usual. With deadlines piling up around every corner, I've been busy writing. My first article for Hindustan Times, among others, will be out soon.

Then, my family came down to Goa to say hello and we all made a trip to Mangalore to visit my grandmother and aunts. There, we spent a few quiet days, walking among coconut and supari trees that have remained unchanged since my childhood. Mr.R honed his photographic skills and captured some lovely birds and butterflies - proof that if you stay still long enough, you'll find some stunning specimens right at your doorstep.

Our Goa-M'lore-Goa journey was made by train and it makes a good alternative to flying or taking a bus.

Back in Goa, we're working on deadlines, getting things in and out of storage, following up on our mile-long to-do list and putting up the Christmas tree (a lovely 8 ft tree this year) and lights. Can you blame me for not blogging?

Iffy in a Jiffy

Call it ranting or what you will, but here's more proof of the shabby, last minute work done for Goa's famous showcase, IFFI.

Prominent government buildings have been spotlit, including the courts, the SBI building (opp the Old Secretariat) and others. Spotlighting is fine, but this is how they do it :





To make matters worse, insects fall into the spotlights, get charred and leave a stink behind as they burn. Add to this live wires hanging dangerously close to pedestrians and children and you have a disaster in the making. Not to mention the ugliness of it all.

Ban those hoardings!

While you were at IFFI

The annual gathering of filmi folks began in Goa yesterday. According to the local rags, Rekha was the chief guest at a ceremony compered by Amrita Rao at the Kala Academy. The press coverage of IFFI tends to be, well, iffy. Rehashes of press releases make it to all the newspapers as if it were gospel truth. Whatever happened to reporting?

So, until this morning, one had no idea of the screening schedule or what the day held for film buffs. Over 6000 'delegates' hopefully got some sort of schedule before-hand, but the aam junta is still clueless. Today's papers have an ad listing a few films being screened around Goa, including Taare Zameen Par.

If you really want value for money (or free, in this case), head over instead to Institute Piedade in Panjim (opp Bread & More, round the corner from the Mandovi Hotel). The 'Goan People's Film Festival: Celebrating lives and livelihoods', a parallel film festival began yesterday (22-29 November). Screening films from India and Bangladesh, this little festival packs a big punch.

I was at the inaugural film screening yesterday evening, and I was so glad to have gone. The festival began with Stalin K's film 'India Untouched: Stories of a People Apart'. This was a hard-hitting, and disturbing account of India's Dalits, the 260 million people living on the fringes of mainstream Indian society. Stalin's film was flawless, a seamless narrative of untouchability and the caste divide in urban and rural India. We talk of India being a super-power, a world leader in the 21st century. How will we get there when we still have millions who cannot draw water from a village well or walk through their town with dignity because they are from a 'lower-caste'?

This film puts several pieces of the puzzle into place. You suddenly understand how the Mayawatis and Yadavs of this country (whether in North or South India) manage to come to power and stay there. For the people they supposedly claim to represent, these politicians are their only ray of hope. After being ignored and kicked aside for centuries, it is only natural that they cling to the one person who promises (again and again) to help them. The help may never come, but if they give this up, what's left?

The issue is relevant even in Goa, this most liberal of Indian states. Here,caste is swept under the carpet or brought out surreptitiously. In Goa, "Where are you from?" has a lot more behind it than simple curiosity, I've learnt. It's a way to identify not just your village, but your caste and pedigree.

The screening was followed with a discussion where viewers had the opportunity to interact with the director and Dadu Mandrekar, noted Goan Dalit rights activist.

Stalin's film deserves a much bigger audience. This is the kind of movie that IFFI should be screening. This is the film that should go to International film festivals including Cannes and the Oscars. Against this, TZP has no chance - it's just fluff.

If our Film Board has guts, it will look at independent film makers for next years entries. But we know this will not happen.

If you're up to some strong movies and want to give your braincells a workout, drop in for a screening or two at this innovative festival. The schedule is here and here.

Pictures of Day one here.
About 'India Untouched' and the director.

Here's a glimpse of the film. Go,watch it.

How to improve our movies...

As the 5th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) gets set to begin, I am reminded of a quote from R.K. Narayanan's 'The Writerly Life'.

...The only way in which our films can be improved is to float a company and collect at least one crore of rupees*. The company will buy every picture produced as soon as it is available and put it out of sight. After all, people make pictures only in order to make money. Our company will give back the capital plus profit. One crore will be thrown away, but it will save a very large public from cultivating a corrupt taste. We must have a nation-wide organisation for buying every picture in this country...

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* The essays are collected works from the 1950s-80s, where a crore of rupees went a long way. Today, even a small budget film costs a lot more than that...

Where are the books? Celebrating National Book Week

The nation celebrates National Book Week from November 14-20 each year. In all the years that I lived in Mumbai, I've never seen any events commemorating the week - maybe I wasn't looking in the right places.

In Goa this year, we have an exhibition of rare books at the Archives and a series of events organised by Institute Menezes Braganza.

Google informs me that the National Book Trust is doing a little more. A week-long story telling festival in Delhi, an exhibition/sale of children's books and a list of events across the country for students will mark the Week.

Here's something else I didn't know: The week is celebrated every year by the NBT to commemorate Nehru's birthday on Nov. 14. Nehru started the NBT in 1957 to "create a reading culture in India". At least someone thought about the idea...

My question: If the week is about promoting reading, where are the books? I was expecting to see at least token 'sales' at every book-shop, programs in schools, a membership drive at the library... How does one encourage reading when access to books is poor?

Given Goa's image as a literate state, I'd love to see more bookshops lining the street. Panjim has a dismal three or four stores, a far cry from what it should have. The Library, while huge, does not really invite or encourage reading on a large scale. You can borrow just one book at a time (or pay Rs.250/- for an additional card, upto a max of 3 cards). Which means that you can't take more than 3 books at a time. Compare this with the UK (I know, I know) where, at the council library, we could take out 13 books at a time, each valid for 6 weeks and renewable online.

I'd love to know what's happening in school libraries. If you have kids, do they get to bring books from school? Let me know how that works.

Maybe I should just set up a Room to Read chapter in Goa... or my own bookshop...

Goa's future politicians (or local thugs in the making)

Panaji's school children were in the news recently - for all the wrong reasons.

In a bid to protest against the stink in the Ourem creek, local schools took out a protest march to the Mayors office. In a twist to the situation, some of the children were sent up to the Mayors office and encouraged to dump garbage on the table and chairs there. The local newspapers were there and captured the glee on the young students faces as they made their debut into local politics.

While I share the students enthusiasm for an unexpected session of fun and games, this incident raises several issues:

1. What role were the school authorities playing in this tamasha? The idea for the rally had to originate from the teachers. I can't imagine 9-10 year olds coming together and plotting a morcha to the Mayors office. What did the teachers have in mind? What was the intended outcome of the rally?

2. Did someone bother to speak to the students about the purpose of the rally? Were the students not chaperoned during this process? If they were accompanied by teachers, how did some of them manage to get to the Mayors office (if this was not part of the plan) and chuck litter and garbage there?

3. If the garbage-in-the-Mayors-office was not pre-planned, where were the teachers when the students were talked into doing this? Who instigated the action (the TOI report says the students were "prodded by a ruling party corporator")

4. What have the schools done since to 'educate' the students? Is this the way a democracy works? Or is this the way we expect 'lessons' to be taught - not just to the Mayor but also to the next generation, who are likely to grow up, a la MNS, learning that stone-throwing, damaging public property and using force are the only means of making your voice heard.

Looking at these children (and the fun they're having), makes me worry about the future. The garbage issue is a matter of concern, but what terrifies me is the garbage that children imbibe everyday, from their teachers, from local news, from television.

Who's going to raise a stink about this?

The Great IFFI whitewash

Will they remember to clear up this garbage?

And stop people from chucking waste into the river? (The daily over-the-promenade-garbage-throw is on every night at this promenade between 8:30 - 9:30 pm)

Under the carpet - soon it'll be IFFI season again...

With this year's IFFI round the corner, Panjim is in for its annual facelift. With just a couple of weeks to go, the eyewash whitewash has begun .Government buildings are getting a fresh lick of paint (no scraping, just slapdash over the existing coat), road dividers are refreshed, and calls for tenders went out last week (rather late, I'd think) for a quickie pavement and street-light restoration job.

If they could only clear the garbage (and not bury it surreptitiously), put dustbins for the public to use, get the municipal sweepers to sweep a little more diligently, that would be marvellous. This city/state can be so much more beautiful - if it can't happen in these next few weeks, we'll have a long wait till next November.

This year, IFFI expects over 5000 delegates and has a few 'open to the public' schemes as well. For about 100/- per film, the junta can see movies (up to 3 a day, I think), including in the new Indian Panorama section. Why restrict it to three is beyond me; perhaps that's a way of keeping the riff-raff non-delegates out.

Goa, like a lot of other places, tends to be rather elitist when it comes to so-called prestigious events. While many events are advertised, several others are by word-of-mouth only. The organisers possibly think that they've done a great job by limiting it to people they know (and they do get bums on seats because this is a small place - people attend everything). And then they wonder why more people don't come / take interest / learn the local traditions and customs.

So over the next few weeks, the hoi-polloi will scramble to get delegate passes and catch up with people who can get them seen at the events. It should be interesting to watch.

Old Goa

The other day, I was in Old Goa taking pictures for an assignment. Old Goa reminds me (occasionally) of Europe. Wide expanses, lawns (green grass now faded brown), magnificent churches, baroque architecture, pavements...

The churches are cool inside, a welcome respite from the heat. But if you are on a photo assignment, November may not be a good time to try indoor shots here.

For starters, the churches (especially the Basilica of Bom Jesus) is over-run with tourists. Loud, pushy, noisy, disrespectful Indian tourists. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting Indian tourists to visit churches - we could do with some demystifying of Catholicism.

What bugged me was the cacophony. Despite numerous signs requesting silence, mobile phones kept going off, mothers called out to their children, people yelled to each other across the hall. A solitary watchman did his half-hearted best. He told people to shut up or quieten down, asked for phones to be switched off/put on silent mode and hats to be removed.

It barely made a dent in the sound levels.

I missed the deep silence that churches should provide. Are temples and mosques full of chaos like this?

Where do we learn to be raucous? At the tomb of St Francis Xavier, someone's phone went off. Loud, incessant rings rose above the babble of Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil before this gentleman dug the phone out from his pocket. Looked at it (phone still ringing), then disconnected. Mr. R and I both glared at him. He looked at us indifferently.

Two minutes later, we were all in the little corridor outside. The phone rang again. This time, it got too much. I went up to him and asked him (in Hindi) to put the phone off or on silent. I told him this was a temple, so please respect it.

I wasn't rude; said it very nicely. The man nodded in a gesture of understanding. Whether he actually put the phone off or not, I don't know. I didn't hear it ring again, though.

Besides the noise levels, there was the problem of dealing with the crowds. Adults and children pushed their way through indiscriminately, not bothering to slow down to step over people praying or admiring the church. A click of the phone camera, job done and they wanted to get out, looking forward to lunch.

Taking good pictures with people shoving you is not very pleasant. Avoid if possible.

If you want peace and quiet, head for the other churches. Se Cathedral, just opposite the Basilica, was serene and prayerful. Of course, the ASI's interference means that the church is now painted a pale yellow instead of the traditional white, and there's scaffolding all over the interiors. Ignore that and find a quiet bench.

Even at peak season, you can still find solitude in that space. Enjoy it while you can.

A bird in the bush...

is worth two in a cage.

That's the philosophy WildGoa was endorsing at 7am on Sunday morning. About 40 enthusiastic (and sleepy) birders gathered at Miramar circle in an attempt to "introduce city dwellers to the birds around them".

The 2 hour walk circled Miramar beach upto Caranzalem and back to Miramar via the road. For those of us who walk by beaches (or any road, for that matter), the thriving bird population came as a surprise.

On the beach, we saw clumps of tiny plovers, invisible among the sand in their camouflage. Their presence was revealed by the stray dogs who kept themselves entertained chasing the flock into the sea. "Follow the dogs and you'll find the plovers", someone quipped.

More variety was to be found on the road leading from Caranzalem to Miramar Circle. Kingfishers were spotted in the distance, swifts flew overhead, warblers played hide-n-seek among the elephant grass. What made our morning was the sight of a flock of bee-eaters, resplendent green in the morning sun. I caught one (on film) munching on a dragon fly. Amazing.

The sight of a golden yellow oriole, dazzling yellow the color of a turmeric shaded silk saree, drew oohs as it flew past.

This little jaunt proved to us that there is wildlife everywhere around us if only we stop to look.

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WildGoa celebrates six years in 2008 and there are treks organised over three Sundays in November to Dudhsagar and other places. Details on the WildGoa yahoo group or FB. Local Goan papers are also publishing the info. Or email me if you need details.

Goa Broadband blues

BSNL's miserable broadband service is at it again. After a lucky streak of unbroken internet availablity, the service is patchy once again. For the last three days, we've had an on-off, on-off situation. Enough to drive one crazy. Even more so when you are depending on that green light for your livelihood.

Today, while trying to find a helpline number, I discovered that I am not alone. India's broadband forums are rife with complaints about the shoddy service (and yet Goa wins the award for best infrastructure - how bad must the other states be?).

Finally, at 1.30 pm, I called 1500, which is the BSNL helpline for Maharashtra and Goa. After going through the menu, the phone rang, and then, was abruptly disconnected. Strange. So, I tried again and the same thing happened. Then, it struck me. Lunch time!

I called again at 4 pm (allowing for lunch and siesta). This time, a young man picked up (name muttered under his breath). Asked me what the problem was, I explained. Long silence. After repeating "Hello?" several times, he said "One minute, Ma'am" and then, was gone again. When he came back, I spoke to him in Hindi as he seemed more comfortable in the language. Long silence again. A few seconds later, the phone was disconnected.

I don't give up that easily. I dialled again. Got through to Anil, who was coherent and listened to the problem. He gave me two numbers for "Goa Techical" (2423800 / 2423781) and promised me that they would help.

I try the Technical numbers. The phone rings. And rings. And rings.

4.30 pm: I try again. The phone still rings. Where are these people?!

In the meantime, the lights blink, go off, stay steady, go off, blink and do everything but stay on long enough to get any packets across.

I'm thinking of calling a bandh in protest against the BSNL. I'm in the mood to shut down shops, beat up hawkers and generally prove that you can't take us for a ride.

Articles on Goa

What would you like to know about Goa?

I'm writing a series of articles on this lovely little state. If you were a reader who picked up a magazine with Goa on the cover, what would you like to find inside? An insiders guide to the best places to eat, shop, relax? Sightseeing recommendations? The people? History?

If you've visited Goa (or read about it) and said to yourself, " I wonder what's the story behind this", share that thought with me. Maybe there's a story waiting to be told.

I'd love to hear about ideas if you have them! Leave a comment or email me at mumbaiwallah at gmail dot com .

Many thanks :)

A different Goa : are you game?

If you ignored my advice and still booked a ticket for Goa, at least try and have a good time while you are here. If you are a regular reader of this blog, I expect that you are different from the average tourist to the Sunshine State. If all you plan to do is sit on the beach (be warned: it's 38 degrees C today), eating, drinking and complaining that there's nothing to do, then here are a few recommendations to make your holiday a memorable one :

1. Soak in some culture : Goa's cultural offerings go beyond the ghastly evening cruises on the Mandovi. The idea of the cruises is a good one, but the execution poor. With no sign of traditional Goan music (Bollywood's interpretations of what Goans sing and dance do not count), don't get conned into hurting your ear-drums with the latest Hindi theme songs (current hot favourite is the title song of Golmaal II - or whatever it's called).

Instead, look up the local paper for listings of events that you won't get elsewhere. Take in a tiatr performance (traditional Konkani/ English theatre) at the Kala Academy, Panaji or listen to a classical (Indian/Western) music concert (also at the Kala, often free).

2. Go Museum hopping: Whether you are a history buff or not, take some time out to visit one or many of Goa's fascinating museums. From the highly recommended ship-shaped Houses of Goa museum, the Goa State Museum to the Museum of Christian Art, there's something for everyone.

3. Sample the local cuisine : Goan food is world famous for its spicy coconut curries, extensive fish menus and mouth-watering Hindu and Christian Goan cooking. Leave the Dal Makhani behind on your next trip and sample some Xacuti (try the Mushroom Xacuti if you prefer a vegetarian option), Cafreal or good ol' prawn-curry rice. You'll not reach for the palak paneer again, promise.

While you're at it, don't ignore the signs of evident signs of destruction around you. Remember that the barges floating down the river make a pretty snapshot, but they take with them endless refills of Goan soil bound for foreign shores, leaving a denuded land behind. That lovely holiday home you're staying in was probably built in violation of CRZ regulations, on forest land or on land forcibly grabbed from unsuspecting villagers. And if you see a snake or another reptile, please don't beat it to death. Call one of these numbers and they'll take care of it for free.

Lastly, no matter what you do, please take your garbage home with you. The state is grappling with a major problem and literally drowning in garbage. Buy a lovely Goa cloth carry bag and use it for all your purchases, if you must, but say no to plastic. And when you're done with your water bottles, don't chuck them on the beach. Get them to a bin - there will be one in your hotel, if not elsewhere.

So, go on, get that sunscreen and put on that silly tourist hat. Catch that train or bus (flights are a bit unpredictable these days - you might not have cabin crew on board) and head south. Make the most of your trip and when you go back home, remind yourself of how lucky we are to have such natural beauty in India. And how little of it is left for us to enjoy.

4 things (not) to do in Goa

While the travel books and magazine features are telling you about how lovely Goa is and what to do this winter in the land of sun and sea, here are four things not to do while in Goa this holiday season:

1. Don't befriend Indian (Goan) boys/men on the beach: Here's a lesson for women, especially foreigners (Indian women learn this early) - 'friendly' strangers, especially men, must be viewed with suspicion. Indian men are not trained to be 'friends' with women. Any friendly overtures must be rebuffed firmly, but politely. Chances are that years of Bollywood has brainwashed them into believing that you'll come around sooner or later. Do not get flattered by the attention. Your life may be at risk. Whether you are 12 or 50, a Scarlet Keeling or a sullen teenager looking for friends, be very careful about who you befriend. Unlike the West, you cannot afford to be lulled into a friendly chat on vacation, knowing that at the end of the day you can walk away if you choose. An Indian man is likely to think you are leading him on.

2. Don't argue with hotel waiters : An Australian tourist was beaten to death last week in Calungute by waiters at a local hotel. Conflicting newspaper reports suggest that the Aussie had a knife, was drunk (at 8.30 am), boorish and made the first move. I ask, does that justify being beaten to death? If the waiters could get together and beat him, surely they could have as easily over-powered him and handed him to the police?

3. Don't complain/grumble about local politicians : Whether you know anything about Goan politics or not, keep your mouth shut. Complaining about local politicians could lead to severe injuries, perhaps death.

4. Don't complain about harassment : If a family member has been harassed, molested, even murdered, think twice before making a police complaint. You may be booked for negligence instead. In Goa, you are expected to keep a constant eye on your family - that is your responsibility. If anything should happen to them, you couldn't possibly blame anybody else but you (that's what you'll be told).

If you want the perfect holiday, I'd suggest you head elsewhere. Goa? Paradise Lost.

When push comes to shove

The shocking and shameful attack on Goan lawyer Aires Rodrigues and heritage activist Prajal Sakhardande has reconfirmed the public's view that politicians in Goa, like the rest of India, are a crooked and corrupt lot (to put it mildly).

In protest of the attack (where Rodrigues was attacked by masked men weilding swords and choppers and Sakhardande received head injuries), public rallies and candlelight vigils have taken place since yesterday. I'm glad that the people of Goa are swift to react and organise themselves in a matter of hours. This is something Mumbai cannot claim yet (except for the MNS and SS who are experts at impromptu riots and damaging public property).

This incident has shocked people unlike anything else in recent times. That such things could happen in Goa was unbelievable - this is not North India, after all.

The protests are loud and the message is clear. But will candlelight vigils and rhetoric change the world? When it comes to Indian politics, I'm cynical. I'm not sure anymore if *anything* we do makes a difference. Will these rallies and vigils motivate the police to take action? Will they give the ruling party the courage to do what is right? Will they teach the Opposition that playing the numbers game is not what they've been elected to do?

From what I've seen of Goa and its politicians, hope runs dry.

I pray that I'm wrong. Maybe this time, the tide will turn.

Politicians get into the system not to do any good for the people (but you knew that already), but to stay on in power as long as possible for their own sake. If this involves consorting with criminals and thugs, then that's the price one pays for power. They're not going to risk their precious legislative seat for the purpose of justice and human rights.

Principles have no place in politics. Not in Bihar. Not in UP. Not in Maharashtra. Certainly not in Goa.

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There will be a rally tomorrow afternoon at Azad Maidan, Panaji at 4.30 to protest against the incident.