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NEW BOOK: 'PATRIOTISM IN ACTION: Goans in Indias Defence Services'
With Foreword by Gen SF Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM, ADC (retd)
former Chief of Indian Army Staff
and Governor, Punjab & Administrator, Chandigarh UT
Copies now available at:
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(9527463684)
SERV / RETD Def Offrs in Goa: O/o Sainik Co-op Hse Bldg Sty, Def Col, Porvorim
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MUMBAI: David & Co (22019010)
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DELHI: Ritana (24617278)
ONLINE (worldwide delivery): http://www.ritanabooks.com,
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Dear Kevin
What I have been trying to do is precisely what you suggested -
concentrate on bite -size chunks of problems in Goa. Goa has too many
big problems to be solved and everyone cannot be involved in every
movement and every action. This does not mean lack of unity. It means
being realistic. Having analysed the situation in Goa and taken into
consideration what my expertise and area of interest is I decided to
focus on the mining issue in Goa. I am therefore giving all my support
to people working on this issue in Goa.
That is why I visit Goa frequently and work hands-on with relevant
people in Goa and surrounding states , and even lobby ministers in
Central Govt. in Delhi, as I do not like to waste my time with Goa
government politicians for obvious reasons.
However in my experience, trying to lobby Goans to do anything, is more
difficult than fighting the powerful mining lobby in Goa. Even trying to
get people to sign a petition on the internet world-wide about the
moratorium on new mining leases, after begging and imploring and
reminding people over and over again I got only 1499 signatures from
Goans world-wide to be sent to the Minister of Environment and Forests
in New Delhi.
Trying to get Goans to come out on demos in Goa is a hugely difficult
thing to achieve, and that is why I wish you all especially Marion and
Oscar, the best of luck with the vigil ! Let me tell you that if you
are not there in Goa to organise these things I will be very surprised
if something will happen. I tried to get an anti-corruption movement off
the ground when I was last in Goa, but the moment I returned to
London....nothing much happened.
Anyway, as long as you don't bring religion into it, and you have all
Goans of all types and religions equally involved, I will give my support.
Best wishes to all
Carmen
2010/12/30 Kevin Saldanha
Dear Oscar and Rene,
Being on vacation for this week, I am enjoying the luxury of
participating in these threads. My apologies to those who are being
hijacked for the ride as I am just 'Replying All' in my response.
I still think that the success of our efforts lies in breaking the
catch-all 'Save-Goa' impetus into bite-sized chunks and create a forum
(NrGO?) where those interested/involved/conversant with the various
issues can put their minds and hearts together with their counterparts
in Goa without it becoming a case of 'too many cooks in the kitchen'.
If such a system is already in place, let us know. Eventually there
will be a groundswell of support that will be difficult to ignore.
Until then we are 'shooting in the dark' (specially those of us from
afar, who have been given 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 mouth but TWENTY digits by a
God who never envisioned the internet).
I don't expect any miracles on 1.1.11 but we need to take this
opportunity to regroup and reformulate our thoughts without undue
criticism of those who are at the forefront. They need our support.
Sincerely,
Kevin
