**************************************** For more information/links, see http://goanet.netfirms.com ****************************************
Reply directly to [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Thu, 27 Feb 2003, godfrey gonsalves wrote: GOANS FIRST Did you know that the population of Goa in 1961 was about 7 lacs and today it is 13.4 lacs? that there are atleast 6 Andhraites and more Kannadigas in atleast two Departments of Goa University? that Maharashtra with a population of 8 crores insist on knowledge of written Marathi as a precondition for employment? that Karnataka has a watch dog committee with a Minister of Cabinet rank to ensure that jobs go out only to Kannadigas? that atleast in the Village Panchayat of Sancoale of the 11 panchas six are non-goans? that a tabla player recently recruited in Kala Academy was from Belgaum sidelining a Goan who taught there for 25 years? that most of those 18 years and above who were in employment post liberation are due to retire on attaining the age of superannuation 58 years in the year 2006; that according to the Chief Minister of Goa under the first Voluntary retirement Scheme around 4500 government employees retired? that thereafter another 1000 followed suit? that on an average 100 employees of the Goa government and allied services retire on the age of superannuation each year? that under the pre-employment training scheme while the need for knowledge of Konkani is compulsory and knowledge of Marathi is desireable the requirement of 15 years domicile is not mentioned in the application form? that the government printing press has been instructed to print 1,00,000 forms and distribute them in the 11 talukas of Goa solicit applications from those upto 35 & 40 years of age to fill up vacancies? that under the same scheme in the past of the total 311970 applications only 1880 have been taken up for training thus far since the BJP coalition came to power two years ago? that the articles of the Constitution of India the sacred book guiding the destinations of the citizens of India, are not violated if the safeguards of mother-tongue and domicile are insisted upon to protect the interest of the state in matters of employment; that in Sikkim Nagaland of the North Eastern States land is not permitted to be sold to outsiders unlike in Goa? that in the absence of an employment, industrial and tourism policy the interests of Goans cannot be protected? that the 106 long coast line of Goa has been saturated with hotels but unlike in the past where traditional fishermen had their abodes today one finds Kashmiris Keralites Lammanis etc and goans have vanished from tarditional occupations? These were some of the facts laid thread bare by speakers of "GOA HIT RAKHAN MANCH"(protectors of Goan identity) a margao based forum, headed by Prashant Naik, Bahujan Samaj ex student leader and teacher hailing from Loliem, in Canacona, to the over 2000 strong gathering of mostly women from Canacona Sattari, others of the Bahujan and non Bahujan samaj and smattering of Catholic Goans and nuns, on 27th February, 2003 at 4.00p.m onwards at the Azad Maidan grounds Panaji, Goa at their first public meeting since formation of the Forum to demand in matters of Employment it is GOANS FIRST. However, unlike in the past during the 1986 movement the Catholics who were in the forefront were not around. Apparently disillusioned by the denial of Konakni in Roman script. Those accused otherwise of holding the monopoly of Konkani Devangiri script were not seen on the dais but amidst the audience albeit in the first row. They also did not speak but left it to those on the dais who were mainly from the Bahujan Samaj and Catholics inculding a priest and others from Pernem, Curchorem, Sattari, Ponda, & Canacona the otherwise stronghold of Marathi protgonists. The whole set up was arranged in such a way that it was gave an impression of representation to all talukas, of Bahujan non Bahujan Catholics. The forum was formed after the "Konkani Porjecho Avaz" accomplished its goals of recognition of Konkani (Devnagiri script) as the mother tongue, grant of Statehood to Goa and the inclusion of Konkani in Eight Schedule of the Constitution. But it is till date seen as promoted by those who have the monopoly over the Konakni (Devnagiri script ) and have been beneficiaries of all Government jobs and allied services especially in the field of Education, while the Bhaujan Samaj and Catholics are being used to bolster their interests. The speakers thus admitted that there was some merit in the apprehensions that Konakni in Devnagiri script was the monopoly of some and therefore alienated by the Marathi protoganists or the Bahujan Samaj, but they appealed to the gathering that united alone we can withstand the onslaught of outsiders. They took strong exception of the CM's contention at a recent Marathi Literary function that he did not know to read Konkani in Devnagiri script. Considering that he is the first Hindu Brahmin Chief Minister of Goa it was apparent that the IIT aluminus was playing to the galleries to appease the marathi protagonists. He had also assured that if his party was given a majority he would make Marathi the official language as well. They even acccused him of giving patronage to marathi by sanctioning liberal funds for literary functions . They warned the gathering that Maharashtra with eight crores of their population declaring Marathi as second official language will amount to usurping local jobs and making Goans stranger in the their own land. Hence time was ripe for every Goan be it from far flung Canacona to Pernem or Panaji to Sattari to ensure that 15 year domicile rule was strictly implemented in letter and spirit and that knowledge of Konkani be strictly assessed at the time of recruitment. Remo Fernandes sang a Knonkani medley and Quepem Kirnam also composed and song promoting the cause of Goans. One thing that the speakers made special mention is that while the slogan GOA FOR GOANS tantamounts to a fascist demand, the ideal demand was GOANS FIRST which implies Goans have no hatred towards non Goans but while in Goa it should be the Goan first. They demanded that the industry before being granted the letter of intent should also train the personnel required as it takes three years before the industry is set up. They gave examples of how the hardware unit in Verna Industrial estate is recruiting 99 % Goans. They accepted the fact in super speciality field and top Management there could be non Goans but with a justification. Especially in class C & D which will account for over 10,000 jobs by 2006 there should be no compromise on Goans First. They warned the Non Goan industrialists who are not Goan friendly that their alibi of Goans as "susgad" and interpreted in tehir terms as lazy is a cover up for their employing cheap labour under wages of exploitation. Nowhere in the Country will any state compromise in matters of employment as Goans have done in the past allowing for the demographic composition to reduce us to minorities. Goa will no longer be treated as a corridor or a back yard the speakers warned. Therefore 15 year domicile a must (though no cut off year was announced) and knowledge of Konkani essential with Marathi desirable would be strictly adhered too and appointment of a steering committee to ensure checks on this score as the employment policy of Goans First. Yes the meeting come as it did after a long gap sounded the death knell for the politicians to either come up with Goan freindly employment policies are quit. This they warned would be the third agitation after Opinion Poll Konkani as the Mother tongue and now Goa for Goans. Ironically the speakers message was so clear that the Chief Minsiter was seen near a prominent Hotel just as one of the speakers was making a vaciferous appeal for Goans First. However what is shocking revelation is that Goans in every village have provided their houses on hire to non Goans as an easy source of income. ? Goans also sell land to the highest bidder it does not matter whether Goan or non Goan emotive issues are set aside wher money? Catholics for example do not know the Devnagiri script but this could be overlooked in matters of Goan First principle. Hence the Goa Hit Rakhan Manch would do well to also publicly announce that they will also insist that ONLY ONE GOVERNMENT JOB PER FAMILY. This way they will overnight win the support for the cause of Goans first from the Bahujan Samaj as presently only the non Bahujan Samaj Konkani Devanagiri script votaries have had the benefits of government employment and meteoric career progression and even extension in service. godfrey j. i. gonsalves B-F-4 Hillside Apartments.St Joaquim Road Borda Margao Goa India [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________________ Get your FREE personalized e-mail at http://www.canada.com _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.goanet.org/mailman/listinfo/goanet
