Goan Observer

Letters to the Editor… ON July 3 our Ribandar lost a dear son, Manuel Conceicao, who had not even turned 50. Manuel was the son of a very hardworking fisherman, the late Pedro and Rosa. He was one of the eight siblings who lived very close to our house in Ribandar. Manuel was very humble and extremely affectionate, always ready to help others. Over the years, I saw the very religious Manuel persevering in life. A gem of a guy. He had a very positive attitude and never grumbled.

The revolt against the new president of the Congress party in the state, Girish Chodankar appears to have been silenced by the High Command Observer KC Venugopal. All the crying babies like former GPCC chief Amit Patkar, south Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes and Pratima Coutinho have all been offered lollipops. EVER since Girish Chodankar was appointed as the president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee there have been vicious attacks on him.

“Manglish” is like creole language in Malaysia, says author Prof Dr Lalita Sinha, who has come out with an amazing transcreation of French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s famous book for children titled “The Little Prince” — in Manglish! Manglish is the word coined for the Malay-English spoken at street level across Malaysia, say a bit like Hinglish in India… THIS is kind of personal for me too! For Dr Lalita Sinha goes a long way back for me, we were in school together on the island of...

Though there have been reasonably heavy rains the dam reservoirs in Goa are still only half full. The rain in July has not made up for the deficit of rain in June. This will lead to water scarcity for the rest of the year and especially during peak tourism season which is from December onwards…. OUTSIDE the windows of any traditional Goan balcao, the weather presents a familiar, comforting illusion.

There is an imminent need for a comprehensive legislation which directly deals with the issue of malpractices adopted by hospitals Healthcare institutions/hospitals often hold patients “hostage” long after they should be medically discharged, using armed guards, locked doors and even chains to extract money for unpaid bills. Even death does not guarantee release because even morgues hold dead bodies for unpaid hospital bills.

THE CHARMS OF HORCHATA… An Iberian sherbat! By Tara Narayan Eating is Fun / Eating is Yuck! - A variety food column, July 11- July 17, 2026, Life & Living BIRTHDAYS come and go and one may be a year older and no wiser. Some like to celebrate with friends wishing them and waxing lyrical over this or that…generally, “khao, piyo, majha karo” and maybe waking up feeling sick the next day – courtesy the excesses of the previous evening.

AS Goa’s population continues to age, neurologists are witnessing a steady rise in cases of memory loss, confusion and cognitive decline, prompting concerns that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia could emerge as a significant public health challenge in the State.

AND a few stray thoughts for yet another Saturday. For a Saturday following the week when Datta Damodar Naik knocked down Shenoi Goembab from the Nagri Konkani pedestal. For a Saturday following the week when there was the long belated recognition of Pundalik Naik in the field of drama. For a Saturday following the week when Serrafin Cotta was elected as the new president of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal.

IN a fresh flare-up of one of Goa’s most enduring water wars, the Mhadei river dispute has dominated today’s front pages of Goan newspapers. Reports highlight Karnataka’s alleged renewed push for diverting Mhadei waters, prompting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to vow “no compromise” in the State assembly. This controversy, simmering since 2006, threatens Goa’s ecological lifeline and re-ignites interstate tensions.

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE PRIVATISED! THE International Centre Goa in Dona Paula, which was set up for the benefit of members and their guests, has now been privatized. I tried to book a room for the weekend following a road accident my wife got into which put her in pain and immobilized her. Go away somewhere for a weekend rest at the ICG, I thought and since we are members of ICG, perhaps it’s a good idea to relax at an ICG room.