WAR IS ULTIMATUM FOR PAKISTAN

PAKISTAN doesn’t want a victory over Bharat but under the pretext of war it wants to rebuild its broken economy. It wants mercy from the world.
A country that has seen an increase in poverty with incomes coming down should never contemplate adopting war strategies, yet Pakistan’s army and its civilian leadership choose to follow the detrimental pathways of warring with its neighbours as a failed state.
According to the World Bank, as of 2023, 37.2% of Pakistanis are living in poverty, and the country saw more than 3 million people added to the ranks of the poor compared to the last assessment in 2018. The reasons for the crisis, as quoted by the World Bank, include: a difficult prevailing macroeconomic environment, a deteriorating labour market, rapidly rising prices, and recent natural disasters, which are also the major reasons cited for reduced household incomes in the country. Not only that no heed is being paid towards the people at all by its political leaders.
An opinion piece in a major Pakistani publication, The Express Tribune, published last month and quoting various sources stated that over 25% of Pakistanis are living below the poverty line as of 2024. While one may question the sanctity of this number, the next line is more scathing. It states that the number of poor people in the country increased by 7% when compared with 2023 data.
So war for Pakistani leaders is meant to abolish poor people rather than eradicating poverty. So it is better to devastate “Ravan like” Era in Pakistan and to appoint “Bibhishan like” leader. With this target, there could be end of Terrorism at most extend for India and lesson for the world.
— Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora, Bardez, Goa

JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI WELCOMES POPE LEO XIV
THE Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Goa extends its heartfelt congratulations to the global Roman Catholic community on the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the new head of the Catholic Church. We wish that his papacy will usher in a new era of peace, compassion and justice for people of all faiths and backgrounds.
In an increasingly divided world, spiritual leaders have a crucial role to play in building bridges of understanding and promoting values of mutual respect, dignity, and coexistence. We especially hope that under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV, interfaith dialogue and cooperation will be further strengthened, contributing to the betterment of humanity and the promotion of global harmony.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind stands committed to fostering goodwill and collaboration between communities, and we look forward to working with all faith leaders to uphold moral values and serve society at large.
— Asif Hussain, State President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Goa

RIBANDAR’S `PURPLE RAIN’ TURNS 40!
A VERY proud moment for Ribandar as Purple Rain — one of Goa’s top bands, turns 40. Founded and steered by our very multi-talented Acacio Tavares what began as a hobby during leisure time strumming his guitar, later on turned to his profession with a passion. Acacio first stumbled upon an opportunity to play for a band Moody Blues in 1971. He later played for Planets, Chain Reactions, Diffusions and Modulators.
In 1985, everything changed for the better with Acacio setting up Purple Rain with his fellow Ribandar musicians. Purple Rain has been reigning the music arena for four decades, enchanting the audience all over. Besides playing across Goa and having entertained us for dances and live shows, it has the distinction of playing for weddings of couples who now have them play at their children’s weddings too. Purple Rain has played at State-sponsored cultural and food festivals, the famed Bonderam in Divar besides the New Year celebrations at Vasco for decades.
The band has also performed in Kolhapur, Manipal, Hyderabad, Cochin, Bangalore, Bombay, Indore and Calcutta. At the International level, they have performed in Abu Dhabi for the “Manglorean Day” in Kuwait for Goa Day and on many occasions in Dubai for Goa Carnival.
Let us wish our one and only Purple Rain all the very best… Bala Bala Music. If music be the food of love, then long may Purple Rain play on.
—Aires Rodrigues, London