"99 Goa" article on front page of Herald Goa, today!
An adulatory and "Thank You" post, but if you are an "Aam Aadmi" of Goa; Herald Goa speaks your voice, 99% of times. If you want to "Make Goa Great Again", read Herald.
Herald Goa published today, a curated form of yesterday's article of 99 Goa with all due credit.
The article published here, titled "Mauvin Godinho, how many Panch and Sarpanch of Goa have declared their assets? : Arambol Illegal Structures"
Every morning, walking to the newspaper vendor to pick the copy of your most favourite newspaper is an amazing routine, with some anxiousness and trepidation; specially for someone who has a current affairs publication on Goa.
Many a times it has happened that, as the vendor hands over you the copy of the paper and you are waiting for the change to be returned, one glance at the front page, and then and there, at the vendor place itself, one knows what to write today.
So, as you are walking to the vendor, there are some stories, already you expect to be there, thanks to SM posts, the previous day. Some days, one is expected to be completely blown away by surprise awaiting, it's like a very happy "splash from the deep blue sea".
Today was one such day. As the copy of Herald Goa was handed over to me, I could not look at that immediately, as I handed over the exact amount and there were couple of people behind.
Walking out of the store, I unfolded and looked at the front page; and just could not believe, what I saw.
99 GOA's yesterday article on the front page of Herald Goa.
Hiding all excitement and happiness behind a poker face, I went back and asked for a second copy of Herald.
The vendor was surprised, and asked "Ek Aur?" Or like "One More?", with a deep curiosity, but being not forthcoming in providing him any clue, he gladly handed me over another one.
By the time I had reach my abode, I finished reading the front page article. Keeping one eye on the road and one on the article. One has to be utterly stupid to read newspaper, walking on the roads of Goa, even early morning; but sometimes, the times forces you to be one. Today morning was one such one.
99 Goa has been on Herald Goa 's Sunday Review twice last year. Once on the front page of "The Review, with the main article being an article of this publication.
Expecting anything better than this, was beyond any expectations. Though 99 Goa was once quoted on front page in an article by Herald.
But today, has been a very pleasant surprise.
Starting from following, almost all of publication in Goa, be it print or digital (on SM) to pruning out the following list, to only one, Herald Goa; has been a deep thought provoking exercise, and a revelation in itself.
From Crony newspapers, run only to gain tender notices and government advertisement, in lieu of promoting favourable image of state government; to digital publications run at the behest and with tacit supports of local politicians in order to have a platform to run their own agenda (including selling large land parcels); there could be some vernacular ones, that were omitted purposely.
True Friends are revealed only over a period of time.
With a very simple tagline of "The Voice Of Goa - since 1900" Herald Goa does , what it says and with all honesty.
And that's why it is always so exciting to pick the copy of Herald every morning, it's like someone else also shares your passion to "Make Goa Great Again!" with same fervour, and one can actually feel it between the words. Like, a Buddy!
Because, "It takes two to tango!" , all the recent articles of past more than 6 months or so; the cues have been taken only from Herald , after stopping to follow other publications. And only Herald is quoted.
It's a very humble exercise to let people know, if you have to read one publication to know the reality and truth of Goa, it's Herald.
If you love Goa, read Herald.
Attention is the most precious gift, one can bestow to anyone.
And for 99 Goa, all attention is on Herald; because the Team does all the justice in the limited space-time to the common residents of Goa, including non-residents of Goa; like me, for whom the home and identity is Goa.
One does not have to be 100% right. As long as one is 99% right, it is superlative.
And unlike other crony publications in Goa(digital or print), who try to be at least 69% right ( you are right, pun was definitely intended), in order to balance out the things and not being directly perceived as "Bootlickers"; Herald Goa arrives 99%, true and honest.
Everyone knows the current landscape of Journalism in India, except a few, which could be counted in fingers, rest have surrendered their souls and morals, in exchange of tangible and intangible benefits. We see this all day along, across platforms.
In Konkan, the only English language Newspaper, which stands tall as a Lighthouse and keeps the light shining on for an "AAM AADMI" of Goa, is Herald Goa.
Though, "99 Goa doesn't exist, for a claim to fame..."; once in a while, being found on your most favourite and respected publication, is an apt motivation to continue writing.
Thank You So Very Much, Team Herald; for an honourable mention on front page of today.