http://www.navhindtimes.in/opinion/letters-editor-189
*Fight Against Issues Threatening Goa Today *THE only major press coverage I ever read about Goa’s freedom fighters is on opposing anything and everything Portuguese. This letter is not to support the former Portuguese rule or to belittle any true sacrifices by genuine freedom fighters. My point is that if at all Goa’s freedom fighters want to act/speak in Goa’s interests, they must address the current issues of today that are destroying Goa and its identity, i.e. land sales to non-Goans which is gradually putting Goa into the hands of non-Goans, uncontrolled migrant influx and vote bank politics, which can result in Goans having no political say, in the affairs of Goa, mega-projects that are not only creating un-necessary employment for migrants but also bring in majority non-Goan residents to the detriment of Goa’s environment and demography, large-scale corruption which is gradually destroying Goa, governments faulty employment/industrial policies favouring non-Goans and facilitating Goans to leave Goa in hordes, due to lack of opportunities at home, and exploitation of Goa by the privileged few; including politicians, mining/builders lobbies etc to realise huge illegitimate profits at the cost of destroying Goa and its identity. Our unique state of Goa should have got safeguards in 1961 to protect its identity i.e. when Goa joined the Indian Union, via military action. With all due respect, Goa’s freedom fighters could have helped Goa get these safeguards, as then not only did they know of the special constitutional exceptions, for some other states e.g. Kashmir’s, but also had many other key factors in Goa’s favour. I understand that we can’t change the past, but surely the freedom fighters still have the power to influence Goa’s future which is threatened by today’s issues, rather than dwell on past glories. ARWIN MESQUITA, UAE -- Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. For the Love of Konkani: http://www.radiogoa.net/ 6. Goa's Identity Movement website: http://www.goamag.net/gim 7. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 8. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
