Dateline February 7, 1998 12:45 hours EST

In the preceding days, the following items caught my attention :

1. The Konkan Railway's maiden voyage was greeted by a black flag protest at Pernem.

There is good reason for a railway station in Pernem. It has been a neglected part of Goa.....surprising when one considers its political support for the MG party which was is absolute and autocratic power in Goa for so many years. Pernem will definitely benefit from the added railway station.

The Konkan Railway however has other problems - one which stem from credibility.

With one track - what are the chances of having reliable services ?!

What is the safety of the bridges ?!

How safe are the tunnels ?!

Or should we wait for a couple of severe Monsoon seasons to find out !

What arrangements are in place for Onward Transportation just in case the train arrives at one of these stations ----- late .... into the early hours of the night ?! Do passengers just wait it out ?! Are there any telephone facilities to call relatives - if one is stranded !

In August 1993, my wife, myself and our kids went for a day's outing to the absolutely breathtaking Dudhsagar falls. We left home quite early to catch the train at Margao Railway Station ! We were scheduled to return by about 6pm. But we somehow got the message while at Dudhsagar that the return train to Margao was delayed by 14 hours ! But there was no way of letting anyone at home know. Somehow, we managed to flag down another train that was passing by and reach home before midnight ...... can you imagine the anxiety at home?!!!

With all this hoohaa about this multi-billion dollar railway ! my information is that the compartments themselves are third rate. So far it appears that we Indians ...at least in Goa ..... have not learnt the meaning of Class leave alone Courtesy or Cleanliness ! Though in Goa, it would be more appropriate to say....that we have forgotten it !

The only Cs we seem to be experiencing now are Communalism, Caste, Con, Cut-throat Competition and Caju !

2. Goa Chief Minister Rane has threatened to take action against Congress legislators in whose constituency, the party doesn't get the lead in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections !

Sure sign that Rane is not in 'control' of the party ! So what does this MG wolf in Congress wolf's clothing do ? Threaten his party guys. Well Mr. Rane !! while it is likely true that some Congress legislators are openly working for the Churchill group..... do you not believe that it is the people of the constituency who cast the vote in secret ! and who decide WHO gets their nod ! And what action are you proposing to take on yourself if the majority of voters in your constituency DO NOT vote for the guy you have nominated for the seat !

3. BJP in Goa blames Congress for corruption .

It is like the pot calling the kettle black ! The folks who are truly "in power" in Goa at the moment are recent-historically connected to the folks in the BJP in Goa !!! they both are heavily dominated by remnants from the corrupt MG which over-ruled Goa for the first two decades post Liberation ! So this is nothing but political posturing.

On the national scene - it appears that the BJP has a good chance to secure the largest number of seats ! at this moment ! though things change and the Sonia effect has to be tested !

4. Calangute-kars bemoan the state of their 'once idyllic village'.

There is no doubt that development had to and did come about. That is not what the Calangutekars are upset about ! It is this horrible and indiscriminate MAL-development which has taken place !! All the talk about ECO-tourism is just that....... TALK !

and finally

I was quite amused ???!!@@##$$#@@ to read the Sanjay Prabhudesai article about the Khalap - Alemao election strategies and the role of the so called " Catholic bahujan samaj" New one this !!!!!!

until next week......ate logo

Jose