LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FOR ISSUE DATED SEPTEMBER 06, 2025

No Comments

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FOR ISSUE DATED SEPTEMBER 06, 2025

Letters To The Editor, Sep 06- Sep 12, 2025 September 5, 2025 , by Goan Observer Team

LIFE’S DO-RE-MI… MAJOR!

At 65, well ensconced into the category of “venerable” senior citizens — what they call “Terceira Idade” in the euphoric Lusitanian jargon — I have a very adventurous life to report, albeit hilarious!
But there remains so much of the wide world for me to explore, particularly so much to see in Portugal and United Kingdom right now. Will I be able to cover even a fraction of it in my lifetime? Of course, seeing the rest of Europe may never come to pass. And what about my dream to be in Ukraine and in Gaza? God knows!
Yes, He knows what is best for us. In the Almighty, we must repose our trust as our ultimate friend, philosopher and guide.
And I am indeed grateful to God for the prized consolation that, over the years, I was able to travel the length and breadth of my beloved Goa at least, to have my feet, as an ordinary citizen, in every city, village and ward of the land of my birth.
And that brought a wealth of friends and well-wishers all over the place — ever warm in their care, always ready to stand by me.
But life never turns full circle without a dose of detractors — and I have had my fair share of those, a convoluted reward for my standing fearlessly for truth. Humbly I rest my case at the feet of the Almighty — the God of all the Faiths — for He is the Adjudicator most kind, most just, most benevolent.
—Aires Rodrigues, Lisbon/London/Ribandar

THE FINAL JOURNEY OF ERIC OZARIO

ON Friday, August 28 the Catholic Church commemorates the memorial of the death of St John the Baptist. On that day Eric surrendered his life in the hands of his creator around 2.45pm. Jesus too surrendered his life in the hands of His Father on Friday around 3.00 pm. Is it a coincidence or providence that there is a close similarity in these events? It is worth reflecting.
At 11am on Sunday, 31st, the mortal remains of Eric were brought to Valencia Church. He was dressed with the traditional dress of our ancestors, namely, puddvem, kutanv and head gear. He looked like a sleeping king!
The Holy Mass began at 11.15am. Fr Roque D’Sa, the parish priest was the main celebrant. He was joined by a number of priests. I preached the homily.
I reached Mangaluru on Sunday at 4.45 am. I stayed at the Milagres Church. After taking a little rest, I wanted to practice my homily. Though I had gone with the required preparation, at Milagres presbytery, I was trembling with fear. Mind was becoming blank. Though the points were there in my own handwriting before me, words were not coming out of my mouth. The second time, I tried. A little improvement. I didn’t know what to do. I went down to the church compound. As a preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Mother Mary (September 8), the statue of Maria Bambina (Baby Mary in the cradle) was kept in a glass container and surrounded by flowers brought by the devotees. As a devotee of Mother Mary, I closed my eyes and pleaded with her to come to my rescue. Then hiring an auto rickshaw, I went to the Valencia Church.
After I read the Gospel, something happened within me. Did the Holy Spirit inspire me or Eric? I do not know. I spoke from my heart with conviction and authority. Words just flowed out of my mouth without my effort! I must have preached for 14 to 15 minutes. After the Mass, in the sacristy a number of priests came and told me that they were really touched the way I spoke. I was surprised to hear this, because rarely priests have given me the feedback. As a habit, I do not long for the appreciation.
After the Mass the body was kept outside the church in a large pandal for the state funeral with the police brass band and gun salute. The health minister and the other government officials were present. After this at 1pm the body was taken to Kalaangan (an artistic complex for performance arts), Shaktinagar for public viewing. There a large pandal and stages were prepared for the event.
Mandd Sobhann Troupe, which was formed by Eric, presented a number of songs for which Eric had composed melody and music. St Mother Theresa Brass Band from Hadinbal, Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka added solemnity for the event with their music. Arun Raj Rodrigues compered the entire event with his unique style. In between various chosen speakers from different fields including people of other faiths, who had a close association with Eric were invited to share their experiences. Both at the Valencia Church and Kalaangann a large crowd of all faiths came to pay their respect to Eric.
At 5pm the body was taken to the electric crematorium, Bolar. Tomorrow morning (Monday) the ashes will be brought to Kaalangann and the Mandd Sobhann members will decide with the family members the future course of action.
The church and Kalaangann were packed with people. At the crematorium a large crowd of friends and admirers of Eric were present. The entire event was well planned and meticulously executed.
So far no person in the history of Konknni has contributed in so many different fields related to Konknni as much l as Eric has done with his Mandd Sobhann members. Eric has become one in the ocean of eternity. He has become the “greatest emperor” of Konknni. Now his legacy and mission will be carried forward by the Mandd Sobhann members with our support.
I was totally taken aback by the number of people (practically everybody) of all ages, men and women came to me after the mass, at Kalaangann, and at the crematorium to thank me for my homily. They were saying that I gave the best and appropriate tribute to Eric and wiped out all the false allegations attributed to Eric by his opponents!
Really a rare miracle took place today. This has happened due to the prayers of my WhatsApp group members and due to the special blessing of Mother Mary. I have absolutely no doubt about it. I have already thanked Mother Mary once again, by visiting the Maria Bambina statue at Milagres.
Now I thank you for your prayers and encouraging words. The credit goes to you for your valuable prayers. Kindly continue to pray for me and my pastoral ministry at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa and the Mission of 3 L (least, last, lost) students and their needy families.
—Pratapananda Naik, sj, Goa.

IS TÜRKIYE A FRIEND OF INDIA?
DURING Operation Sindoor (May 7-8) Pakistan deployed several Turkish-made drones into India’s western border. In retaliation, on May 15, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security withdrew the security clearance of the Turkish company Celebi Airport Services Pvt Ltd, that provides ground and bridge handling services at nine Indian airports. This step was taken as national security is concerned.
On May 27, the Bombay High Court vacation bench stopped Mumbai International Airport Ltd from making a final decision on bids invited on May 17 to replace the company. The case was to be heard by a regular bench after the court’s vacation.
IndiGo airline was in doldrums as it had leased airplanes from Türkiye and was unsure about their fate. But the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had permitted continuation of the lease.
On May 27 the NITI Aayog report mentioned Türkiye as one of the countries from which we could learn best practices, to address skill gaps in India’s medium enterprises.
On Aug 26 on the request of Indigo, the DGCA has approved a six-month extension for IndiGo to operate Turkish Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on a damp lease basis. The new authorisation is until February 28, 2026 for the reason that there is a demand on the India-Türkiye route.
The above decisions and comments by the bureaucrats confuse the citizens as to whether India and Türkiye are friends or foes! This indicates that no country can be completely isolated or kept too close for comfort, but treated as per the needs all needs either for a peaceful co-existence, business, jobs, etc.
—Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem, Goa