Comments : Camilo Fernandes
In resonse to Arwin's below post -
Arwin's civil rights activists post for special status for Goa makes very
interesting reading. This is a very sensible campaign to save the balance
450 sq. Kms. of disposable land left in Goa as mentioned. Goa is slowly but
surely being ruined day by day and atleast we should make all out efforts to
save what is left of it.
As Sandanha says Quote "Saldanha has said that with no provision to protect
the land, majority
of it is being given for commercial activity.
?This has resulted in large influx of people from outside. Does Goa have
capacity to contain this population?? he questioned.
He said that special status is the only thing which can protect the land
of Goa. ?People are feeling insecure. The special status will cease
buying of any land in the state,? Saldanha said.
During the interaction, the activists reminded the assurance given by
Congress President Sonia Gandhi during last assembly election to give
special status to Goa.
They recalled that even after the liberation, then prime minister Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru had promised that Goa?s special identity, language and
culture would be protected." Unquote
Very soon elections will take place in Goa and it is upto the Goan electorate
to demand from those standing for elections, what their stand on special status
for Goa is. Goans based abroad should campaign and do their bit by publicising
and informing their families, relatives, friends and wellwishers as to which
party/candidates deserve to be elected. True this is a daunting task but we
should do our best knowing we are doing our bit to save Goa. Leaders like
Mathany Saldhana, Rui Da Gama, Florian Lobo, Yatish Naik, Julio D?Silva etc.
should be given full support by all Goans in this venture. The below report
should be also sent to the Congress President, as well as her son and she
reminded that her father in law Jawaharlal Nehru had given this promise. So too
this report could be sent to other important publications to garner support and
for wider publicity.
Goa being an international tourist destination should not be allowed to be
ruined with lop sided and often illegal mega construction projects. Its
natural beauty or what is left of it should be preserved. Years ago I remember
when I went to Mysore, I was told that daily there is a floating population of
thousands of tourists but they are not allowed to spoil the city. The same
should be the case with Goa.
Best wishes,
Dev borem korum
Camilo Fernandes
Arwin Mesquita wrote : <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Goanet] Civil rights activists to launch campaign for
special status
http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Civil-rights-activists-to-launch-campaign-for-special-status/44569.html
Civil rights activists to launch campaign for special status
HERALD REPORTER
Civil rights activists to launch campaign for special status
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 8
With meager 450 square kilometers disposable land left in Goa, the civil
rights activists have decided to propel a movement demanding Special
Status for the state by amending the Constitution of India.
?It?s never late. The constitution was amended many times,? renowned
social activist Mathany Saldanha told an informal meeting at Goa
International Centre, Dona Paula on Saturday evening.
?We welcome everyone to come here but don?t buy the land and make us
stranger,? Saldanha said in his half an hour speech which led the
discussion on the roadmap to move the state government give special
status to Goa.
The participating activists including Rui Da Gama, Florian Lobo, Yatish
Naik, Julio D?Silva and others resolved that the state legislative
assembly should pass a resolution pressing for the special status.
Saldanha said that the land in Goa is already under forest,
agricultural, coastal belt and already utilized. ?We are left with only
450 square kilometers of land which needs to be protected for future
generations,? he said.
He said that soon after the liberation the Goans were either divided on
the basis of caste and religion or also terrified after facing 450 years
of Portuguese rule.
?We never had guts to tell the central government what we want. That?s
why we had to fight every time. May it be opinion poll or Konkani
language agitation,? Saldanha, who also chairs National Fishermen?s
Forum, said.
?Then fathers of constitution did not feel it wise to give
representation to Goa in the constitution. That?s why we are suffering
now,? he said adding that there is lot of insecurity which has come in
the fate of Goa.
Saldanha has said that with no provision to protect the land, majority
of it is being given for commercial activity.
?This has resulted in large influx of people from outside. Does Goa have
capacity to contain this population?? he questioned.
He said that special status is the only thing which can protect the land
of Goa. ?People are feeling insecure. The special status will cease
buying of any land in the state,? Saldanha said.
During the interaction, the activists reminded the assurance given by
Congress President Sonia Gandhi during last assembly election to give
special status to Goa.
They recalled that even after the liberation, then prime minister Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru had promised that Goa?s special identity, language and
culture would be protected.
