Goan villages under attack – Thoughts on India's 60th Republic Day As we celebrate the 60th Republic Day of India, all villages in Goa need to be on a heightened alert against the enemy within Goa that is seeking to destroy Goa. Yes our Goan villages are under attack by a very dangerous enemy that is seeking to destroy us and that enemy is from within and we all know who it is.
Yes - A full-fledged attempt to destroy our Goan villages in the guise of so-called "Development" by hoisting mega-projects, condominiums, high-rise buildings with swimming pools, hotels etc. when we do not have even basic amenities like drinking water or electricity and proper education facilities for our children to study in our Goan villages. What is shocking is that even the Goa Medical College doesn't have water for our sick and dying! Our fields are being destroyed, rivers are being poisoned by the waste that is being released by hotels and housing projects with no proper garbage treatment and sewage facilities are being heaped on us and our scare resource our Goan land is being acquired for all sorts of mammoth projects that are anti-people and anti-environmental. These are being approved in violation of all the rules in the book and in total disregard of the harmful effects to our Environment. While our Goan villages through various Gram Panchayat meetings have opted for Village Panchayat -3 status, it has become evident that many Panchayats have mis-represented the wishes of the people and have even submitted wrong plans which is a crime punishable under the law for which they should be prosecuted and put behind bars. These mega-projects that we see being hoisted on our Goan villages are anti-people and are a violation of the fundamental rights and aspirations of the Goan Villagers. Gram Sabha meetings in Assagao, Cansaulim, Rachol, Verna, Carmona, Loutolim have all expressed the anguish, deep sorrow and disgust that our Goan villagers have towards these loathsome and destructive mega-projects under the guise of "development" that our politicians and corrupt Panchayat members seek to hoist on our Goan people. The brave villagers of Cansaulim came up with a thought-provoking and path-blazing resolution at their Gram Sabha meeting in saying no to mega-projects, builders and anti-people policies, while simultaneously revoking the NOC given for a project for the construction of 46-odd flats with a swimming pool and club house. Assagao has even the Chief Minister of Haryana constructing his bungalow in Mazalwaddo at the foot of the hills in total violation of the rules! Here he too needs a swimming pool when we Goans do not get drinking water! Simultaneously Rahejas, DLF and a host of other mega-projects are all out to destroy Goa and we all know who has been granting them the illegal permissions. Our own Anti-Goan MLA's, working in tandem with some corrupt Panchayat Members on behalf of these Builders and their agents, will try to thwart the aspirations and wishes of our Goan brothers and sisters. The Environment Minister seems to have no idea of what his roles and responsibilities are - or is he just busy indulging in his favourite past-time at the Casinos? Does he have no responsibility for protecting the Goan Environment? What about the Minister for Panchayats - his advice to elected representativesto render selfless service is obviously falling on deaf ears and he too seems to be deaf to the cries from the Goan villagers. A concerted effort needs to be made by all our Goan villages to stand up to these intimidatory and harrassment techniques. We need to make public who these stooges among our corrupt MLAS, Politicians and Panchayat members, Town and Country Planning Department, are and how they operate to push the interests of the builders and the Hotel Lobby. We should name them and shame them so that they are exposed and stop their chicanery, harrassment and intimidation. During Mr Rahul Gandhi's visit to Goa our Goan youth gave him a very clear message of what kind of Development they want for our beloved Goa. I hope the Chief Minister and our politicians were listening or did they not get the message? If they do not heed the wishes of the Goan people they have no right to represent the Goan people. Let them not be fooled that they are invincible as the voice and the power of the people will otherwise teach them a sound lesson. May the true hopes and aspirations of our Goan villages be fulfilled as we celebrate India's 60th Republic Day. May our Goan villages be beacons of hope and shining examples for the rest of India.