http://www.goasu-raj.org/gen/news/3385.asp Mapusa Pedem Sports Complex to be named after Bandodkar? OBJECTIONS from MSSG
FOR FAVOUR OF PUBLICATION MOVEMENT FOR SPECIAL STATUS FOR GOA (MSSG) C/o Prof. Sergio Carvalho,2nd floor,Liberty Apartments,Feira Alta,Mapusa,Bardez,Goa-ph:2252682 Date: 4.3.2014 Mr. Manohar Parrikar Hon. Chief Minister of Goa Secretariat Alto de Penha de Franca Bardez. Sir, The movement for Special Status for Goa (MSSG) has read with great concern that the Government intends naming the Pedem Sports Complex at Mapusa after late Dayanand Bandodkar. This news follows on the heels of another, namely, that his statue was to be unveiled in the Assembly of Goa by yourself. If this news is true, this movement has very strong objections with regard to naming a sports complex or for that matter anything else after a man whose sole aim in forming the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) was to merge Goa with Maharashtra and kill its identity forever. Despite the fact that that move was definitely defeated by true Goans, the Marathi lobby in Goa nevertheless succeeded in honouring his name in various ways, such as by building a Samadhi, naming roads and erecting statues etc., while the man credited with fighting to keep Goa out of the clutches of Maharashtra and succeeding in that struggle, was actively consigned almost to oblivion...! The political class, specially, should have been in the forefront of enshrining the name of Dr. Jack de Sequeira in gratitude as, if the intentions and efforts of Bandodkar had borne fruit, none of these Hon'ble gentleman would have been sitting in the Legislative Assembly, for there would have been none to sit in, nor would any of today's political class be enjoying the honours which come with the posts and perks that are reserved for the elected members of a State Legislature and neither would we have had a Chief Minister and a Cabinet of ministers. The politicians could in those circumstances have aspired only to the exalted positions of Sarpanchas with a Collector ruling the roost. This Movement thinks that it is high time that the political class looks at the facts of history in their true perspective and stops the religion-based discrimination that is prevalent in every sphere of life in Goa, instead of seeking to influence the opinion of gullible Goans by culling-out only those bits and pieces of history that suit their short-sighted interests, whilst glossing over those aspects that are either not so palatable or which do not conform to their ulterior motives in the current scenario. The said Pedem sports complex may therefore be named after Dr. Jack Sequeira or after any Goan Olympian, of which there are many. We hope that the suggestions of the citizens will be given the respect and consideration that they merit. Yours faithfully, (Adv. Antonio Lobo) Convener --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
