Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660
Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/
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------------------------------------ Where is political freedom? ------------------------------------ Your editorial 'Money talks values walk' confirms a fundamental reality: so long as we let money talk the common citizen is not going to enjoy political emancipation. It is not in the interests of professional politicians to release their voters from economic bondage.
Many Civic & Consumer Forums in Goa are aware of this reality and endeavour to challenge this perennial threat to our liberty. Let me relate to you the experience of the Moira Forum volunteers:
The cemetery attached to Moira Church was in dire need of renovation and extension. Some petty politicians and their chamchas got wind of this and persuaded the erstwhile Parish Priest to apply for funds under the MPLAD project scheme. The hierarchy, it appears is not averse to accept "conditional funding".
Parishioners were invited to sign on blank sheets of paper, which were to be attached to an application for funds. Volunteers of the Forum took objection to such a devious way of undermining its efforts to empower citizens. The scheme to apply for MP funds was rejected outright.
Moira Church took upon itself to raise the required funds. Today, the new cemetery, which was blessed on 25th. January 2005 by the Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, is something to be really proud of. It surely ranks among the very best in Goa. And all the funds were raised by the people, mostly in the village itself.
Nazar da Silva, Moira in a Letter to the Editor ---------------------------------- HERALD 4/02/05 page 6 ----------------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
