Sunday, 3 April 2011
ONLY SPECIAL STATUS CAN PROTECT GOA: MATANHY SALDANHA
MARGAO: Noted social activist Matanhy Saldanha has said that special status is
the only way to protect Goans in Goa. Speaking at the seminary on the benefits
of special status at Benaulim Community centre, the former minister explained
the various advantages of special status for the state.
“Goa is on the verge of losing its identity, as its limited land is being sold
for the lure of money to the real estate sharks, builders and the millionaires
from all over the world. Most of them come to ‘buy Goa’ and exploit our
beautiful land and community”, he said, and thundered “even at this stage, it
is not late to get a Special Status for Goa. It is the vested interests who are
misguiding Goans on this issue”.
Emphasizing on the urgent need to educate the people on the issue of Special
Status, former MLA of Santa Cruz Victor Gonsalves pointed out that Goa was not
part of the Constituent Assembly, when the Indian Constitution was being
framed.
“The then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, after the
Liberation of Goa had assured us a special Status to protect our uniqueness.
This promise is not yet fulfilled”, he reminded.
Earlier in his welcome address Dr Hubert Gomes warned that if Special Status is
not granted to Goa, there is no future for financially poor Goans. “With
soaring land prices, a day will come when most of our children will not be able
to buy property in their own land”, he cautioned.
Well known RTI activists Rui Gama and Jose Marie Miranda pointed out that Goa’s
unique character and topography is being destroyed due to construction of huge
mega-housing projects and mushrooming of unhygienic slums in different parts of
Goa. “Gross atrocities are being committed not only on our Communidade land,
but also on the lands possessed by the STs, SCs and OBCs in Goa. If we are not
careful the whole of Goa will be converted into Moti Dongor”, they said.
Earlier noted social activist Geraldina Fernandes and Mrs Kim Miranda lit a
candle to symbolise the launch of “SAAG”- the legal aid, RTI Help and Public
Awareness Cell of Benaulim Community Centre. All the speakers present on the
occasion complimented Dr Hubert Gomes for his smart and bold initiatives to
safeguard the interests of Goa.
