-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Read V.M. de Malar's latest Column: | | | | Politics of Destruction | | | | http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=416 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Nassim Desouza Sent: 22 March 2006 16:58 Subject: RE: Utt Goenkara - By Armstrong Vaz/ An Appeal from a Cuncolkar.
Dear Goenkars/Cuncolkars While on the subject of outsiders coming and replacing us goans, Some time ago I read a report in the Gomantak times that a Housing Board Project was proposed to be set up in our village Cuncolim.The citizens of Cuncolim were socked and viewed it with great apprehension. For decades we have strived to live in a harmonious relationship were all caste, creed and religious work, pray and play as one, and being a Cuncolkar is a matter of pride. With the proposed Housing Project, the influx of outsiders will severely affect the peace and traquility of the village.It also puts a strain on the public works system and transportation and will be damaging not only economically but also ecologically.The law and order situation will take a turn for the worse. The inadequate police force existing will not be able to regulate the activities leading to a spurt in crime rate. Thanks to the intervention of the Citizens Action Committee (CCAC), Oscar Martins,Altinho Gomes, Cuncolim Municipal Council chairperson Filon Vaz and other religious heads, the project has now been stopped, but we do not know for how long. So lets take the Solgan UTT GOENKARS by Amstrong Vaz seriously and make every effort to listern to the clarion call from our villages inviting us back. An Appeal It is for this purpose the Cuncolim Welfare Trust is looking for a piece of land from the Govt. or from generous Cuncolkars to either donate or sell ( at a very resonable price) . The land should be accessable with approach road and titles clear.This land will be devloped for a community centre with multi facilities where seniors citizens can revive their old emotions when meeting other Cuncolkars and the not so old and youth can shed their energies and talents.This will also help generate a lot of jobs. (Off course for sons and daughters of the soil). This is an oppurtunity for every Cuncolkar at home and abroad to listen to the calling from his village and look into his heart and give back to Cuncolim what the village has given to you. Awaiting your response. Best Regards. Nassim DeSouza [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- Utt Goenkara By Armstrong Vaz Utt Goenkara ! Utt Goenkara ! It is long that you have taken things in your stride. Time has come to rise from your slumber. Time has changed tracks on a fast lane for you for long. Long for you to have taken the things around for granted. The sudden gush of winds of change will at least make you wiser in thought. The murder of Fr. Eusebio Ferrao on Friday night is a grim reminder for each one of us to rise above our narrow mentalities -- mentalities of narrow mindedness and pulling each of our fellow Goans over trivial things -- trivial things which can be sorted out, and where fences can be mended. The peace and tranquility of Goa has many a countryman know Goa for its tolerance towards all and everything over the years. For years we have played good hosts. We have been guests to all. We do not know what our next door neighbor who has taken a house, flat or a small room for rent would turn out to be. The next door neighbor may vary from being a pedophile, murderer, terrorist, rapist, swindler, property grabber, drug peddler, pimp, prostitute, etc. We do not check the antecedents of the persons. We want to do business -- business of quick money of giving our premises on rent, lest we may lose business to another competitor. The lust to grab a few crisp notes makes us lose our mind in the face of the threat we invite upon ourselves. The police on their part are happy with their daily routine collections of 'hafta' from the various persons in business. The compilation of strangers data in each of the nook and corner is taken a back seat. Utt Goenkara in a non-militant way. Violence does not serve our cause. So next time around when you sell the land take a cautious route. Route of inquiring and prodding a few minutes or for hours to find the reality. Your conscious will be clear that you had made an effort; that you were unsuccessful is a different thing. Next time around do not sell our soul, our land, our pride, our ego and play with your life and life of other fellow beings. The migrants are blamed for the ills but take deep breathe. Where does the mason, the carpenter, the barber, the tile fitter, the laborer in your market or the beach sports operator come from. The Biharis, the UP wallaas, have made inroads into the trades. Gone are masons from Pernem who built out houses during our childhood days. Some of them are still living in our Villages in Salcete far from their land in Pernem and greet us but they have for long forsaken their profession. The barber who used to cut our hair till last five years back has changed his shop from a barber's to another goods-selling shop. His children like others low menial jobs have changed tracks to another profession or gone for white colar jobs. In my village Cuncolim, the best of the mechanics and the best carpentry works from Demani Cuncolim too are decreasing with every passing year. So painting all outsiders as bad will not serve our cause. The outsiders come for their livelihood and they for one would not like their livelihood to be destroyed in one stroke. The drug pushers and the drug lords of the coastal belt are the ones who are more of a threat -- a threat in the long run when they will control all around and push things for themselves. Already there is buzz of the Kashimiris and the Russians combining to control the drug trade on North Goa beaches. The buzz of the Russian mafia controlling and pushing according too thier own will and having bought a few houses in North Goa, the Russians are looming power on the horizon for the state and the people of North Coastal areas to have an effective check. Fears are expressed that five to three years from now the Russian mafia would be a strong one in the North Goa beach belt. Russian mafia dons pushing on their belly through right contacts at the right levels. Finally it will be the insiders who sell the soul for Goa for a few extra pennies who are the greatest threat to Goa and Goans. Politicians too will face the music on their own turf when they will be out staged with a Bihari and a UP-walla giving a dent to his hopes some years down the line. Goa is different over the years. Goa of now is getting a cosmopolitan look. Will Goa survive its identity in the face of the assault? Only time will tell its tale whether the changes occurring all around us are for the good, bad or the worse. One fine day we will be strangers in our own land. The Goan identity will soon fade away and we will be left repenting the dangers we flirted with and damaged our land. Hopefully this is all just thinking, nothing of such kind will happen to our Goa. But till then UTT Goenkara, Utt Goenkara -- its time to rise and march ahead. - Forwarded by www.goa-world.com
