------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html -------------------------------------------------------
On 25/05/07, JoeGoaUk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > You may also read this Church Message on Today's Herald Front Page > http://oheraldo.in/node/24987 Comment: For the benefit of some readers who cannot access websites due to restrictions at work place, here is the article:- Poll 2007: Church for seacular visionaries BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 24 — Continuing its stance for a better Goa, the Church has advised the people of Goa to think of the future, especially regarding Goa and its environment. In a message to the people, the Church has asked the people to think carefully before voting and to consider candidates who are secular in nature and who have a vision for Goan society. The Church has advised the people not to consider candidates who are communal, who use the government machinery to threaten people and people who defect from one party to another for the love of money. According to the Council for Social Justice and Peace the message states, "the past five years have proved the failure of the political leadership in upholding human values in public life. The distinctive features of the functioning of the representatives of the people of Goa, during the past five years has been attempts to contain political dissent through threats to individuals and groups; suppression of the press; rampant corruption; total lack of transparency and accountability; efforts to divide society on communal lines; destruction of environment and ecology; misuse of land, even of khazans; denial of powers to local bodies and interference in their exclusive area of work.'' The Council for Social Justice and Peace categorically states that the people's representatives have violated the trust of the people by deciding major issues by themselves, without consulting the citizens and have thus betrayed their trust. These same representatives have wasted crores of rupees on projects and infrastructures that were criticised or rejected by the people. The Council for Social Justice and Peace states, that now is the right time for the voters of Goa to exercise their rights and fulfill their duties as citizens to secure an integrally healthy future for the generations to come. The Council for Social Justice and Peace suggests that people should select a candidate who has integrity and intellectual capacity and has vision of Goan society rooted in human values, where harmony, religious and cultural tolerance, equality in status and opportunity, participatory democracy prevail, and ecology and environment are genuinely protected and promoted. In addition, the person's past performance in every sphere of public life should reflect transparency and accountability and who stands firm by her/his ideology or that of the political party promoting her/him and will not defect for whatever reasons. The Council also recommends that the people should consider candidates who are committed to respect and promote autonomy of the bureaucrats, police and local bodies. People who are not communal minded in any form and are not associated with any groups or organisations subscribing to such ideologies. The Council has advised the people to consider other options besides major political parties and support such candidates in their campaign. In addition voters are advised not to accept any offering from the candidates/ political parties/ vested interests as "it is a bribe." The Council has advised the people to demand that the candidates/ political parties amend The Goa Panchayat Raj Act, The Municipal Act, The Town and Country Planning Act and others as required and devolve powers to the local bodies. -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England The Church has advised, do not vote for the communalists, do not vote for those who continually switch, do not vote for those who are land destroyers for the sake of making a killing. Do not vote for those who interfere and influence, the Panchyat, the Police, the Civil service bureaucrats! Churchill, it seems has changed and adopted a new line. He will do the People's bidding ? So do not be surprised if there are a few upsets. Perhaps even the UGDP will make a come back ? ------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------
