The Feast of Our Lady of Springs at Anjediva is fast approaching viz; 2nd February, 2010. Here is the latest on the matter. It is seen from the letter sent by this writer and the response that the Sea Bird officials are adamant not to permit festivities on the Island. It appears that during the Navy Week notwithstanding the threat perception they permit the members of the public to visit the Naval base and also the warships. Can one tolerate the dual stance of the Navy. The Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha representing Goa viz; Mr Shripad Y Naik of the BJP and Mr Francisco Sardinha (INC) should together with the RS MP Mr Shantaram L Naik who has been pursuing this issue take up this matter with the Honourable Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh. The National Committee for Minorities should also take up this issue with the President of India forthwith. When this writer earlier informed the office of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman to take up the issue they expressed concern that the Naval officials would not take cognizance of repeated pleas made by them since February, 2005. Several faithful have impressed upon this writer to pursue the issue in the judicial forum. This writer is willing to pursue the same however much would depend upon the support of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman besides the Govt of Goa who have the appropriate locus standii to pursue this issue Moreso the Govt of Goa should immediately have the order dated October 2004 of the Deputy Commissioner Karwar, banning festivities on the Island revoked forthwith as that office has no jurisdiction to act on matters pertaining to the Island which has not been ceded and is still a part of Goa. The Chief Minister of Goa Shri Digamber Kamat should act immediately on this matter Meanwhile the faithful and more specifically Goans worldwide should condemn the highhandedness of the Sea Bird officials and also be prepared to march to the Island in protest on 2nd February, 2010 to lodge our protest at the Naval Base at Arga via Chendia in Karwar Karnataka . _________________________________________________________________ In reply to this letter the Lt Commander at Arms ANPM (KT) for Commander in Charge (Karwar) vide letter No:858/P/GC dat 21.1.2010 has replied as under 1. Refer to your letter dated 16 Jan 2010 2. This is to inform you that due to current security scenario in the country and the coastal region in particular; the Naval base is in a heightened state of security and hence no visitors/visits to Naval base are being permitted. sd/- *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** 16th January, 2010 To, Commodore-in-Charge (Karwar) Headquarters, FO(K) PO Naval Base Karwar 581 308 SUB : Celebration of customary feast 2/2/2010 at Church of Our Lady of Springs “Nossa Senhora das Brotas” Anjediv , Canacona Taluka Goa -- Sea Bird project -Karwar Sir, The tentative program is a) Customary Feast will be celebrated on Tuesday, 2nd February, 2010 b) Two masses (an hour duration) morning 1030 hrs and 1430 hrs c) Safe drinking water , mobile toilets, first aid provision and transport to & fro Church d) all participants for the mass to carry photo identity card e) On 1st February, 2010 a priest and lay persons to be allowed to make arrangements for Mass in the Church. The program will be on the same lines as your Naval Base organize the customary Navy Week celebrations 4th to 6th December, every year despite the current security scenario in the country and recent terrorist threats to Naval base which have come out in the media. Kindly note that the customary feast on 2nd February, is required to be permitted to be celebrated in terms of the Govt of Goa order 8/12/1989 & 26/7/1989 which was disallowed since 2nd February, 2005 in violation of this order till now. Also kindly note that the island till date is a part of Goa and not ceded by any Act of Parliament; hence the Deputy Commissioner, Karwar, has no jurisdiction to issue the order in October, 2004 banning the festivities on our Island and hence needs to be withdrawn forthwith and festivities allowed. Thanking you in anticipation, Yours faithfully sd/- cc: Shri A K Antony, Hon’ble Union Minister for Defence. Govt of India 104 South Block, NEW DELHI 110 011 20/01/2010 Chief Minister of Goa : This file on Anjediv is with the Under Secretary (Rev) GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [email protected] The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage. http://in.yahoo.com/
