(FOR FAVOR OF PUBLICATION) Dear Hon. Min. of Defence, Mr. Manohar Parrikar,
Congratulations on being elevated to head one of the highest offices of our Nation , the Ministry of Defence. This is not only a proud moment for your well deserved achievement but also one which gives every Goan increased hope and the feeling that this must be “Goa’s moment“. Matanhy, always aspired that the Dabolim airport which belongs to the people of Goa must be handed back by the Navy for civilian use and the need for another airport does not arise. Clearly, if Dabolim is made wholly available for civilian use, it has the capacity to cater to the present and future needs of the State, which is undeniable. This was Matanhy’s aspiration and desire until his death. Many argue that the Navy is required for security, but let’s look at it this way; If the Navy is located 60 miles south at Seabird or even elsewhere, that does not make Goa or any part of India less safe or fully secured. On the contrary, being a naval base, Goa is a likely target for the enemy. In a war situation the primary enemy targets are air, naval and military installations. Hence the security argument does not hold ground. Those who argue that North Goa needs development; Yes, it does but another airport is not the solution. Majority of the people in the region are involved in agriculture, and modern methods of farming is the way to go, so that the beneficiaries will be the local people. Goa does not need real estate mafia to further concretize our natural beauty which is admired world over. The mainstay of the tourism industry is to keep Goa green and clean. It is a known fact that, Goa has been used by the Navy as a recreation centre, grabbing vast prime areas under the pretext of ‘security’. If security was the reason, the airport area need not have to have golf course and recreation centres exclusively for naval staff that deprive the people of Goa, its principal requirement of its only centrally located airport. Even large areas of private land owned by locals in surrounding areas, are not allowed to use by the Navy under the pretext of security; while they can enjoy and have all good fun. Effectively, the Navy is in complete control over our civilian airport, the surrounding areas, and has become the arrogant Boss. Currently, the State of Goa is at the mercy of the Navy for the use of its own legitimate Airport with limited hours for civilian use. You are aware that Goa, one of the smallest states, with scarce land resource has contributed more than its fair share, than any other state of India, by generously giving land for the Army and Navy. It is wrong to think that asking Navy to vacate Dabolim airport, is anti national. Goa is a state of the Indian union and a fully operational civilian international airport at Dabolim is not only Goa’s but equally is the national interest too. Matanhy was very much against misuse of prime land by Army and Navy and was fuming when Anjediv island was gifted to the Navy without any mandate. He was also of the opinion that the Army hand over large area of prime land in Panaji which is being used for garage and godowns ! while the city is over congested and starving for parking areas. In the past Goa has had several Union Ministers who didn’t pay much attention to our homeland but were more interested with fame and personal careers. Here is where you can make a difference. As Minister of Defence, restore Goa’s legitimate airport from the navy and provide Special status to preserve Goa, its unique heritage and identity, that richly adds to our great Nation. If these two causes are achieved, you will have carved a unique place in Goa’s history. May God guide and bless you. Geraldo OliveiraPO, Caranzalem, Goa
