Goa, Jan. 9 -- GLADSTONE D'COSTA

A front-page photograph of our Prime Minister in a Catholic church in Delhi on Christmas day, re ceiving a blessing from the Archbishop filled me with the hope that this would be the shape of things to come. He even posted on X "The service reflected the timeless message of love, peace and compassion. May the spirit of Christmas inspire harmony and goodwill in our society". I turned the page and my hopes were dashed. Right wing groups had called for a day-long bandh in protest against religious conver sions allegedly taking place in various states. An armed mob barged into a mall and vandalised Christmas decorations and installa tions. Figures of Santa Claus were "beheaded"; reindeer, sleighs and snowmen ...