SINCE government and sensitivity rarely go together in this country, we must place on record our appreciation of the Goa government. The cancellation of the carnival celebrations in Goa following the bus tragedy in which at least six passengers, including two children died, is good and could be said to highlight the fact that Goans are more responsive to this sort of thing than most.
There they were, literally thousands of tourists, all lined up along D.B. Road in Panaji from where the parade of floats begins. And there they were still standing an hour later, when the information came that Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had cancelled the carnival celebrations due to the accident.
Of course, there were many among the revelers who felt that the celebrations should not be cut short and that it was sufficient to announce and carry out a special investigation into the tragedy. But doubtless, these people were from Mumbai!
Why would we think so? Because that is a Mumbai attitude, and very right it is too – in Mumbai! After all, if we had a similar sensitivity, there would be no celebrations at all, considering the regular and horrific accidents we suffer on our roads and highways practically every day!