Call for missionary zeal to protect Goan heritage
BY HERALD REPORTER 

PANJIM, MAY 28 - The seminar on 'Whether the government has the power to
amend the law of the Communidades' on Sunday called for a "missionary
zeal" among the 'Gaonkars' to save what it described as the "dying
heritage of Goa".  

The programme was an initiative of the Association of the Components of
Communidades (ACC) and was organised in collaboration with Literati, in
the city.

Seven panelists explained why they opposed the government's move to
bring about the proposed amendment to the Code of Communidades. Some
even retold the richness of the age-old institution, which once played
the role of local self-government.

The government had introduced a bill in the last session of the Assembly
in March to bring about the controversial amendment.  Calling it a
"political gimmick" Advocate Bernard D'Souza said the State had no right
to interfere with the Code. "It's not too late, there's still time to
save the ancestral lands from going into the hands of land sharks,"
D'Souza added.   

Floriano Lobo, who is a 'Gaonkar' of Moira Communidade, left no stone
unturned in lashing out at the MGP, the BJP and the ruling Congress for
the "Communidade mess". The Tenancy Act has wiped off everything, Lobo
said, adding, "Bausaheb Bandodkar's heritage is run by Chief Minister
Rane." All in all Narvekar is the architect of the amendment, he
charged.  Referring to the Communidades, he said, "This is the only
thing we have.  Elections are near, and now is the time to take to the
streets and ask for a promise from the government for 'Communidade
autonomy' or else vote it out of power." 

Earlier, Advocate Andre Pereira, Secretary of ACC, cleared the
misconception that the centuries-old institutions were created by the
Portuguese. Another misconception is that communidades belong to
Catholics, but the fact is they equally belong to Hindu brothers as
well, he added.      

Dr J C Almeida of Carambolim detailing history, said the Portuguese
respected the laws of the communidades and never did any changes without
consultation the authorities concerned.     Percival Noronha in his
short address said it was now time to fight for the land, which rightly
belongs to the communidades.  Hector Fernandes (former President of
Aldona Communidade) cited the victory of the aborigines in Australia,
who fought and got their land back from the White rulers.

Policarpo D'Souza (President of ACC) also spoke. Advocate Divya Kapur
moderated the seminar.   

Members of various communidades have now prepared a draft
'Representation of Goans' to be submitted to the Governor to take
corrective action in preserving the unique heritage.

http://oheraldo.in/node/14385

~(^^)~

Avelino

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