The act by Herald suspending all comments suppresses their own voice as free press. Looks like it has shut it’s own voice due to fear. As there was control on the comments section, Herald had the right to either block some of the commentators or warn them. I do not dispute it’s right to take its own decision but this decision seems to be taken due to heavy pressure from the corrupt people.
Herald has been biased in the past and is regarded as the official mouthpiece of the Congress party. Other than that, it is also the voice of some influential people who are known to Mr. Fernandes. Freedom of Press is a cardinal rule for a free society in a democratic country. The timid ways of Herald has exposed itself that it is not the voice of the weaker sections of Goa but the voice of the powerful, the suppressors of democracy.
At 14.00 hrs today, I personally called up Herald office and enquired about the decision not to continue with the comments section. On condition that I should not name the top employee, I was told that there has been pressure from most of the politicians and particular ministers, top police officials, the mining lobby too, that the comments section should be shut “immediately” or face dire consequences that may turn out in several ways to destroy the organisation. I agree personally there have been a few abuses and these abusers should be condemned in all ways. Herald should have given a thought and found that these same abusers are the toys of the politicians whose main aim was to do what Herald did today. These few abusers should have been blocked or given a stern warning. It looks like Herald is more interested in selling hard and dumb copies rather than being bold.
The real tasks of Herald do not consist in policing public opinion, but in freeing it from the suppressors. This can only be done by placing the verdict in the hands of society in its entirety. That was going on well until the fear took over and all active voices against the corrupt politicians, corrupt police were lost once again, this time for good.
Hence, an appeal to NIZ GOENKAR to paste some of the interesting articles or news from different press releases from Goa where we can comment. Viva Goenkara, Viva Niz Goenkar. Long Live Freedom.
The Chamchas of these politicians hijacked the Comment section on Herald, where some of our true to the heart fell for the trap. Which resulted in Freedom of speech/truth/expression and honesty being banned by the heave weight. It is said the truth hurts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame !!!!! Herald licking hands of politicians. From now on even the news will be such as to please the corrupt ministers. This has left such bad taste. The voice of the common man has been suppressed. The corrupt politicians will lure the poor for their own benefit. This blog by Niz Goenkar must have a wider publicity so that more and more niz goenkars visit and express their views and educate the majority who are led blindly by the 40 thieves.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dalia for speaking up. I was both hurt and disappointed to see our free speech was being suppressed. I knew our comments were making sense to the people reading them, and I always feared one day that they would suppress us. I know at times I wrote out of frustration but I do believe that we are adults, and if you found something offensive you didn't read it. We are not children. This is very, very sad. I see now how our corrupt officials in Goa are, in suppressing democracy. I don't know who to appeal to. I wanted to write to the PM or someone on this issue. We have valid reasons. A lot of what people wrote in these forums were to enlighten our people with the truth. I believe we were working to understand the situation in Goa and to bring about change. I knew that the corrupt officials were not happy about us exposing them. This is not a democracy but a dictatorship! I am very angry that the voices are always silenced. We need someone from a higher authority to intervene. No democracy can survive with censorship. I thought China was bad, but it is sad that India prides itself with been the biggest democracy, yet this nonsense goes on. Mahatma Gandhi would be very disappointed, as he believed in the truth. I am begging our Goans all over the world to wake up! This time is crucial, we are turning a page, and things are getting ugly in Goa. Soon they will be no Goa, if we don’t act now. Stop the parting and get to working. We owe it to future generations of Goans to fight. It would be sad it they grow up without a homeland. They may call the countries they live in home for now, but trust me when things aren't going so good in those countries; our Goans are going to be kicked out. That is why we need to fight for our culture, our heritage, our Goa.
ReplyDeleteThat is true - even the reporting on the aggression of the politicians-builders-Government Machinery nexus is not being truthfully disclosed by Herald.
ReplyDeleteMinisters like Mauvin Godinho of the one million power scandal fame who celebrated their birthday a month ago had plastered the Herald with self-congratulatory messages and advertisements lauding and boasting of their achievements as if he is bigger than Mother Theresa and Fr Jose Vaz. This included a full one page self congratulatory write up by his own cousin Aggie Alcacoas of the Queeny Realty Estates which interestingly was sponsored by the contractor of the Ravindra Bhavan being built at Sancoale. the slew of ads that the builders and contractors put out to wish Mauvin Godinho would tell you who is working for the builders lobby and against Goan interests. Of Course Herald benefits from these advertisements etc and would work to protect the interests of corrupt Ministers like Mauvin Godinho, Churchill Alemao and the rest of these rotters including Digambar Kamat!
Thank you Niz Goenkar for giving us a voice to expose the rot and speaking out for truth and justice for Goa and Goans!
Please share this site with all true Goans who are standing up to defend Goa and Goans!
It is rather a shame that Herald stopped the comment section due to political pressure. Saying that it was stopped due to abusive language is just hogwash. They could have moderated these comments if they were really interested in the voice of the people. Did the dumb nit editor not realise how many hits his website was getting due to the comments section. I think the only Editor who is not afraid of our scumbag politicians is Rajan Narayan and his Goan Observer. An appeal to all Niz Goenkar readers is to send the Niz Goenkar link to as many Goans you know so that comments can be posted here.
ReplyDeleteTrevor, I agree with you. Sometimes we did use harsh words or language and wrote out of frustration in response to our instigators, who obviously were the chamchas of the politicians. These politicians and police, through their chamchas, were determined to instigate and frustrate us so that Herald would have an excuse to close the forum. Like Dalia says, Herald could have, and had every right, to block the abusers of this forum or take stern action. What is sad, is that the end result is victory for these corrupt politicians and police. Well, let us see for how long this victory is going to last and for how long that roguish smile on their faces remain…. I know Mr. Jr. Fernandes, the inheritor of Herald, quite well since the days he used to come and sit next to his father in that stationery shop of theirs (learning the trade maybe) and even then, if any customer stared at him straight in the eyes with anger, he would go pale. Now he is being threatened by goondas of the politicians, so what else can he do? Obey them or face the consequences. After growing up and becoming the editor of the Herald, I thought he might have become courageous and toughened a little bit, if not much. But now I realize that he is still the same little boy that I used to meet many, many years ago. What a pity! Is the Herald wholly owned by him now or is he getting contribution from those who are dictating terms to him???
ReplyDeleteWell Goans, Herald is not the end of the World. We have the Niz Goenkar which is fearless and brings up our comments word by word. There is no censorship here. Let us spread the name of this online news of NIZ GOENKAR throughout Goa. Even though the comments here are with approval it is good to keep the anti Goans and the instigators out like Trevor and dlp said.
ReplyDeleteIf one comes to UK, one will find the real democracy, or go to USA again one will find the real democracy. Freedom of speach. No one will sensor your comments even if you give somebody dirtiest of the badwords. But Indian democracy is just a name sake democracy. There are people who say India is not democratic but hindu state, there are ministers who think and behave in dictatorial fashion. Can somebody tell me whether the Portuguese rule was better or is the Indian rule better?
ReplyDeleteSandesh.... Yes pal, Herald is not the end of the world. The corrupt ones might have thought so. Now we have our very own "Niz Goenkar" which is much, much better and unbiased than Herald. Let us all promote and spread the news about Niz Goenkar not only to people in Goa but to Goenkars all over the world. I have already sent messages to my friends all over and in turn asked them to spread it amongst their friends. Viva "Niz Goenkar" "Viva Goa"
ReplyDeleteYes we are the niz Goenkars rightly pointed out by Niz Goenkar. Being true Goans we should be first and not last. Our own ministers and newspapers make us seconds. Thank God and may God bless the person who started this Niz Goenkar website.
ReplyDeleteSandesh…. You are right. Herald is not the end of the world. The current corrupt ministers and the other corrupt ones aspiring to be future ministers and their police goons must have had a short-lived smile on their faces when they managed to get rid of the forum. Like the saying goes, “If one door closes, 10 others will open”. All is not lost. Now we have our very own “Niz Goenkar”. Thanks to Menino G.P.T. Fernandes. Comments have already started pouring in and the corrupt ones must be awe struck now. Desperately trying to find ways how to get rid of us now. Let us promote “Niz Goenkar” not only in Goa but all over the world. I have already written to my Goan friends all over and, in turn, asked them to inform their friends about Niz Goenkar. Let us spread the news like wild fire. Long live Niz Goenkar. Viva Goa!
ReplyDeleteWhere are all the freedom fighters? Are they all dead? Is this the freedom you fought for? Democracy is freedom of speech. Herald closing down the comment section of public views is an attack on Democracy. "Goa gone with the wind".
ReplyDeleteDa Silva.... Yes, most of the freedom fighters are dead and I don't think that those who are still alive, will be sane enough to recollect what they fought for. These newspapers who are supposed to fight for and preserve democracy are the first muderers of democracy and supporters of dictators. The freedom fighters fought and we are the ones who suffer now in the name of democracy. I will wholeheartedly answer Mr. Joe Rebello that Portuguese rule was much better. At least we had peace of mind. They may call us Goans susegad, but we led a peaceful life being susegad without any interference from outside.
ReplyDeleteDLP...Although I was in Africa at the time but what my grandparents and my parents told me about their life under the Portuguese. And what I have experienced under the current regime I would say the Portuguese rule will suit me better. We have bad governance and Ghanti Goondagiri no
ReplyDeleteI also checked with Herald. The crime branch wanted the details of some commentaors one of them was BEBDO. They could not find it bcoz BEBDO has encrypted it. They want to know who BEBDO IS becz they thnik BEBDO know a lot. BEBDO is also clever. IN GOA THERE IS NO FREEDOM OF PRESS, THEERE IS NO DEMOCRACY AND THE POOR PEOPLE LIVE IN FEAR OF POLICE AND POLITICIANS AND GOONDAS. GOA IS GOONDA RAJ. Even Herald is frieghtned of GOONDA RAJ.
ReplyDeleteHello my niz goenkars. I had been following the comments on Herald on a regular basis and had become addictive to it. I stay in the UAE and the comments were really good and many times I wanted to comment. Now Herald is closed to comments I wanted to know why. I called my very good friends who are still working for Herald and asked them why the management closed it. They also told me they were under tremendous pressure from the politicians and the police to close the comments. They also told me the crime branch visited Herald and wanted the contact of all those who were making those comments. The people in the IT section of Herald told me they were in particular interested in knowing who BEBDO was. They think this BEBDO knows too much and would have exposed them. I also had praised BEBDO for his forthright comments becoz I found them interesting.they could not locate BEBDO's details becoz this BEBDO has encrypted it. BEBDO pls come back on this forum and support the cause of GOA AND GOANS. VIVA GOA, VIVA GOENKAR AND VIVA BEBDO.
ReplyDeletePls all GOANS. Make a petition and tell all GOANS to sign it and send to Herald editor. Start it and sent to all friends and family. BOYCOTT HERALD ALSO. BOYCOTT POLITICIANS AND MINISTERS. VIVA GOA, VIVA GOENKAR
ReplyDeleteHonesty comes from the heart and good conscience, I have just been off the phone with one of the regular commentators. I have do not know anyone in herald but have heard a lot about the pressure to close the comment section. Direct threats have been sent to many of the writers. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years on Robin Island prison fighting for the right cause. He has set an example for all the truth seekers, and followers are many. Unity is a must.
ReplyDeleteDalia - Do we know who was the Minister/Ministers involved in pressurising Herald to get rid of the comments section?
ReplyDeleteThe truth hurts - so obviously the ones who didn't want it to be exposed are trying to silence the voice of the people. LOet us name them and shame them!
NizGoenkar will be the voice of the people. Let us share this with all who care for Goa and Goans!
I'm sure these politicians with the police will now try to silence even NizGoenkar if they can but we will protect our freedom of speech and expose them.
Lawry..... What has Crime Branch got to do with honest comments. Are they in the business of corruption too??? Are they also scared of the truth? And why single out Bebdo? Although, most of the time I did not like him and had plenty of arguments with him, but on the last day before the forum closed down, he had some very interesting comments and I wanted to compliment him, but unfortunately the inevitable happened. Nobody can choke us. Let's all be united and remain united. That's the core issue and our intention. Let all our voices resound as one!
ReplyDeleteMr. Lawry de Souza, can you name the person from herald who told you that the crime branch was there? I have my closest friend working in there and he told me the cops never went there. But he did say that there was an immense pressure from the politicians to shut down the comments section because people already knew too much about them.
ReplyDeleteAll I want to let everyone know is do not believe the rumours by a few. I do not dispute the claims by Lawry, he is right in what he said. These are the claims by a few with vested interest. I live in Goa and personally checked those claims. There is a belief in Herald that someone from the Crime Branch is investigating. It is not true after my own verification but these are some politicians in the name of Crime Branch. To my knowledge, Crime Branch has got their fingers tight on different issues and not on people who comment here. This is just to discourage us from commenting, the politicians who gets exposed are the culprits. Therefore, say what you have to say but avoid vulgar words. Let us show that we are for a cause and not just rowdies. Viva Goa, Viva NIZGOENKAR.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that commenting on blogs does amount to crime. Therefore, the Crime Branch has got no reason to agitate and act like Lawry declared. However, the claims of Lawry has to be verified and Lawry himself should be able to give a good explanation or evidence. Herald does claim that there was tremendous pressure from the politicians and police as well but not hunting for any soul. Bebdo on Herald was not a big identity therefore there was not so much love from the CB for his head. The reason to confuse and stop people from commenting is paramount for the politicians as their deeds were published. However, people will not refrain from commenting and not everyone is capable of commenting or not everyone find time to do so. But, reading the comments can change views or make decisions according to the understanding or assessment of the situation.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that Lawry de Souza is an agent of the corrupt politicians who is trying to woo away the commentators. He is trying to frighten those who try to bring out the truth. What does he mean by "encrypted" I am a programmer, an analyst myself with about 30 years experience. How can someone encrypt what is a simple program? Herald has a form for details and based on the the comments are displayed. Only we programmers can compile encrypted programs when we create them. So this is utter nonsense. Lawry if you are trying to fool us then be it known to you that we are not AN'NADIS like you. You can lick the arse of your politician friends as much as you like and don't pretend you are in UAE. We can base that on your ID OK? You wrote all poppycock here. I too have got my best friend at the top level in the Herald.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sandesh, Ingrid and Saturnino. Like I have said earlier, what has Crime Branch got to do with our comments??? We have not threatened to murder or rape or commit any crime here. We are exposing the corrupt deeds of our corrupt politicians, ministers and police alike. We are talking the truth and nothing but the truth. Henry Fernandes..... Welcome to the forum. You have enlightened us, at least me who are ignorant of this computer programs. Well done to expose Lawry de Souza. Many such an'nadis will surface on this forum now, I am sure. By closing the Herald forum, they have dug their own graves and buried themselves in there. No way they can do anything with Niz Goenkar.
ReplyDelete"OheraldO" the Goan news media is the mouth piece of the rogue and the corrupt. Boycott "OheraldO".
ReplyDeleteCome on Anonymous... We don't need to boycott Herald. O Heraldo has boycotted itself from its readers and the editor must be crying in his office and in his sleep too for having given up to his dictators. Shabbas Mr. Jr. Fernandes.
ReplyDeleteLet me first and foremost thank Mr. Menino for this blog and for giving me the privilege to write here. Dev Borem Korum Menino. Now let me get to the point for the reason that I want to write here. I have noticed that some people have dragged my name here for various reasons. I really don't understand why I should be investigated by the crime branch and am at a loss to know from where some of the bloggers, such as Lawry, got the information about Herald and the crime branch wanting to know my identity. I am computer savvy, but there is no truth that I have "encrypted" my ID. I also know that the ministers and the police are pissed off with some of my comments. I also know that the crime branch has an IT cell which monitors the activities on suspicious people online. If I am not mistaken for some time this cell was headed by Atmaram Deshpande. Be that as it may. We live in a democracy and no one has the right to stiffle the voice of the people. I support our Goans for their just rights and am ready to create an awareness among my people to fight for justice and Goa. Sadly, democracy in Goa has been hijacked by the goondas, politicians and the police. We need a mass movement if we want to change the political landscape of Goa. For those who want to know who I am, I have this to say --- a person who has tasted power, a person who was closely associated with a political party. A person who has close friends among the top police officials, and a person who had always fought for Goa. When I wrote about how voters are bought in Goa, I spoke the truth. There were many other truths too that I wrote. Our only hope now to save Goa is by creating a regional party of all like-minded and educated Goans. We need to organise all Goans spread all over the world. Like the Tamils of Sri Lanka, we need to make a contribution every month to this party and nominate candidates for the elections. The candidates should be well educated and with our funds we should support their election campaign. In the first election we may not get any of them elected, but them we should create such a momentum that in the next elections at least we will be victorious. Once we get a two-third majority, we can them pass a bill on buying and selling land to non-Goans, on business, and special status or autonomy for Goa. I hope my fellow Goenkars will support each other in this great endeavour. In case if I have hurt the sentiments of some of my fellow Goenkars in my earlier sarcastic comments on oherald, then I apologise. Mog asudim. Dev Borem Korem.
ReplyDeleteDear Goan Friend Bebdo, This is just a farce to deter people who write against the politicians which is "truth". I personally feel that Lawry De Souza is someone from the group of the Politicians. When somebody writes the truth he cannot be investigated and the Supreme Court of India has given a judgement that every one has a freedom of speech and no one can stop any one from speaking the truth. Do not worry there are still some people out there who do not want to let us get or feelings and heart out. We the niz Goans are all with you. Let me also tell you that I got a threatening call on 01/09/2010 and the person identified himself as Chandrakant Salgaoncar and I know that is false and rubbish. It was not Chandrakant Salgaoncar and I told that man to do whatever he can we shall see later. So dear friend be assured that we all the niz Goenkars are with you in the fight against injustice, corruption, and evil. - Menino de Valpoi
ReplyDeleteDLP: I had thought Herald was a voice for the innocent and true Goans., seems I was wrong. It's like a dog with its tail between its legs.
ReplyDeleteLike you said we have not threatened anyone with any physical action. There will be many who will try and frightened us with false rumours. If anyone wants to question me they can do so I will make myself available to Scotland Yard if need be. The truth always hurts. God Please Unite the Goans
Yours is a brilliant idea Mr. Bebdo. The Crime branch has to invetigate their balls first. You have not threatened to kill anybody that the crime branch should be interested in you. This Lawry is an agent of the politicians who wants to scare commentators away. He has a mother but no Father. What you have written above is perfect we need to create our candidates in Goa now till we get one third majority.
ReplyDeleteMogall Goenkarano, I am overwhelmed by the response. As the Bible says, If you have the faith as small as that of a mustard seed, you will be able to move a mountain..... and remember my Goenkar friends, a long journey starts with the first and small step. So let us do it, let us kick these bloody 40 chors out of Goa forever. Mahatma Gandhi was alone when he fought against apartheid in South Africa, so was Martin Luther King Jr. And in Goa, we had our our Jack de Sequeira. Viva Goa, Viva Goenkar. Down with corruption, down with the Congress-NCP rule in Goa.
ReplyDeleteOne day a florist went to a barber for a haircut.
ReplyDeleteAfter the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied,
'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.'
The florist was pleased and left the salon.
When the barber went to open his door the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a baker comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied,
'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.'
The baker was happy and left the salon.
The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a large freshly baked loaf of bread waiting for him at his door.
Then a Politician came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied,
'I can not accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.'
The Politician was very happy and left the salon.
The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen Politicians lined up waiting for a "complimentary" haircut.
And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
POLITICIANS ARE LIKE DIAPERS,FULL OF SHIT & NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON!
Viva Goa!!Viva Niz Goenkar!!
@ Bebdo: Thank you very much and welcome to our Nizgenkar family! We will appreciate you comments and the facts you will place on this forum.As I believe that "Almighty God" is with us now and will help us to fight and liberate Goa for 2nd time against corruption. No one can arrest anyone for the comments and we have freedom of speech, this is not dictatorship regime. As Bebdo mentioned we need to start to make a perty and commence our work before its too late.I prefer if you Bebdo, come out with your real name on this forum for genuity. I know you exist but its up to you, this is only my request and the decision is yours.
ReplyDeleteGood Work Menino, the comments are open and let us confirm that we are not vulgar but up to the point. Let us maintain the decorum. Viva Goa, Viva Niz Goenkara
ReplyDeleteGood Work Menino, the comments are open and let us confirm that we are not vulgar but up to the point. Let us maintain the decorum. Viva Goa, Viva Niz Goenkara
ReplyDeleteBebdo.... Welcome to the Group of Niz Goenkars. We have had our differences on Herald, but if you really, really honestly mean what you say now, let's forget about the past times and join hands. I do not understand why this Lawry, out of all the other commentators, had to bring your name. Since you are, or were, involved in politics you might know him. You have admitted yourself earlier that you used to buy voters. Forget the past now and let us be honest and work honestly to educate our voters. Viva Niz Goenkar! Viva Bebdo (if he really means what he says)!! And Viva all Niz Goenkars wherever they may be.
ReplyDeleteMogal Goenkarano, let bygones be bygones.From now on, let us fight and create an awareness among all our friends and relatives to get rid of these 40 chors in Goa. We should not allow this momentum to slow down. Let it gather speed and force. Only then we will be able to bring about a change in Goa. Goa for Goans. Long live Goan Unity.
ReplyDeleteBebdo... Are you ready to sit for the next elections??? We need someone who is experienced in politics but not corrupt politicians who are sitting for their own gains. If you are honestly ready to get rid of these monkeys, I am fully with you and I will get everyone I can to support you. We need a good and honest leader and the rest of us will automatically follow you. But don't let us down, please! Are you ready???
ReplyDelete@dlp.... Thanks for the offer DLP. But let me humbly turn down the offer. No, I am not prepared to contest the elections in the present circumstances. My aim is -- and I am ready to dedicate my life and money --- to form a cadre based political party of the Goans, for the Goans and by the Goans. We need only dedicated and true Goans to start the party. They should be wedded to the ideology of the party and should not be there to contest elections and then start looting the Goans. Remember, when in Germany, when the National Socialist Party (which was popularaly called as the Nazis) was formed, there were only four people who attended the meeting.Although, I don't fully subscribe to what they did later on is a different issue. The parallel is we can see is someone is dedicated to a cause, then nothing is impossible. We require really good and dedicated people. Are you ready? Because change in Goa won't come from within, it will definitely come from outside because there are more than a million Goans living outside Goa.
ReplyDeleteViva Goa,Viva Goenkar. Goa for Goans.
Bebdo... I am ready and full fledged to be with you.. We too are four people who started this thing. Menino de Valpoi is our heart and soul and then Dalia, Diogo Fichardo and myself (in that order) appeared and started our comments on the Herald forum. In the end, what happened? You know very well, so I am still with you. Let, like you say, bygones be bygones and let us join hands. Are you with us????
ReplyDelete