To view video footage of the Goa Sudharop Anti-Corruption panel discussion held on Jan 5 held at HOTEL MANDOVI click on http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1CDA53C29008D8C9
Goa Sudharop and it’s supporters have always worked in different ways to build a better Goa and to that effect, a Panel Discussion on “Rooting out corruption in Goa” was organized. The moderator for the discussion was media person Sandesh Prabhudesai while the panelists for the discussion were active campaigners for social change, Ramesh Gauns, Sabina Martins, Pravin Sabnis and Soter D’Souza. Sandesh Prabhudesai explained that the discussion was not just to talk about corruption which is something we all know about. The real purpose of the dialogue was instead to pinpoint the root causes of corruption, to introspect on whether we ourselves are responsible in some way or other for the problem and most importantly, to see how we can address the issue. The lively discussion that followed threw up some interesting points. Pravin Sabnis expressed the view that we somehow seem to have lost our sense of community, our principles and values, accountability and our sense of responsibility. Soter D’Souza pointed out how we ourselves often have our double standards, wherein on one hand we talk against corruption and then ourselves approach corrupt forces for donations and other support. Sabina Martins explained that corruption was not only about making money but about the resultant power and the way this power ultimately influences decision making. Ramesh Gauns spoke about how, amongst other things, donations to temples and churches are accepted without any questions regarding the sources of the donation and consequently how religious sanction gets somehow accorded to such donations. Several members of the audience also shared interesting points of view. Adv. Radharao Gracias who was in the audience was later invited to join the panel and express his views. A number of useful suggestions emerged from the discussion. Panelists pointed out that wherever there has been a collective getting together by the people themselves, success has inevitably followed. We need to put proper laws and systems in place to stem the rot. Ways were suggested of introducing transparency (e.g online applications in Government departments) that would consequently reduce the chances of corruption. Even if difficult, we ourselves have to have the courage to stand up for our principles and values. Rich or poor, all of us have to follow the law and we need to understand that we each have to take on our own individual responsibilities which will ultimately lead to a change. To view the video footage of the panel discussion click on http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1CDA53C29008D8C9
