goanet-digest Monday, July 8 2002 Volume 01 : Number 4138
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this issue:
[Goanet] Parrikar: Under guise of secularism education is devoid of values
[Goanet] JOTTINGS: Meeting WRdeS on the printed page....
[Goanet] Misuse of public funds HC asks Govt to list steps to curb menace.
[Goanet] Wild goa trip tmw on frogs
[Goanet] Re: Marathi Has No Case In Goa
See end of digest for information on subscribing/unsusbcribing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2002 21:49:56 -0600 (MDT)
From: Vijay de Souza, Herald <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] Parrikar: Under guise of secularism education is devoid of values
INTERVIEW: UNDER THE GUISE OF SECULARISM, EDUCATION IS DEVOID OF VALUES
The BJP-led coalition government promises to give a better governance in its
second term. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar says a vision document for the
next ten years is in the offing and that development will be in a planned
manner. In an interview with Vijay de Souza, the chief minister dwelt on
issues like political stability, education, saffronisation and
accountability. Excerpts.
Q: When you recommended dissolution of the assembly on February 27, 2002,
you said you wanted the people to elect a new government for political
stability.This however, did not happen as the May 30 elections threw up a
fractured mandate once again putting stability at stake.
A: What I had said that time was that the functional freedom was restricted.
There were certain well-settled politicians who had their own way of
functioning. Well I don't want to go into their ways of functioning. This
was hindering the speed of development, the delivery I was trying to make.
Secondly, there was time and again rumours being spread that seven of them
would split... but the rumours had a basic ground because the people (MLAs)
had come from the other party -- Congress -- obviously had connection with
Congressmen.
It was giving strength to the rumours. Even if it was a rumour, people had a
general tendency in believing them. So these two aspects were resulting in
lower output and long term planning was becoming difficult.
Q: This time, BJP with 17 members has to bank on two other partners -- MGP
and UGDP. Don't you think this coalition is worse than the last one to
manage?
A: Majority necessarily doesn't mean stability. Congress had it on every
occasion,but stability did not exist. So if stability was only numbers, then
I think Congress had it every time. That's why we had 13 CMs in 13 years.
But, stability is more than numbers, of course numbers are required.
Now the current equation is we are 18. I consider one Independent MLA -
Filipe Neri Rodrigues, because he was with me and he has stayed with
me.... contested as Independent for obvious difficulties.
As far as pattern of staying together is concerned, the group of 18 is very
stable. And there are five who are supporting. Obviously when the core is
stable, the supporting patterns will also remain stable.
Therefore even though I did not get the majority, stability is much better
than last time.
Q: But you have two partners this time? Last time it was only MGP.
A: Last time also, the MGP was never a problem. I never said MGP was
creating instability.
Instability factor was creeping in because of as I told you, due to the
members who deserted us after the elections were declared. Within the BJP,
since 11 had joined, they had unstable core with the party which does not
exist this time.
Q: During your last term as chief minister, BJP had been demanding for a
long time that the two MG members should join the BJP or should be dropped
from the government for better stability.
A: Last time the arrangement was based on separate factors. It was based
on some understanding arrived at with supporting MLAs on the day the
government was formed.
This time, the understanding is with the parties. Of course, it is also
with the MLAs. But main thing is that parties are also involved. The kind
of adjustment was different last time.
For example, when they wanted to form the government with me as the CM, I
put a basic condition that they should join the party. Some people think
the condition of joining the party had been extended to MGP this time.
The question doesn't to arise.
This time, it was dealt with property consulting both the party and MLAs.
There is party and MLA equation right from day one. It is a coalition
government.
Q: So will there be no pressure on you to make members of the coalition
partners join the BJP?
A: The party is very clear about it, so the question does not arise.
Everybody is clear, I am clear, my party is clear.
Q: You have always given a impression that you are a CM with a difference as
far as governance is concerned. But do you have a vision document for the
next ten years or are we going to continue with a piece-meal method?
A:We have visions for various sectors. Visions are being formulated. May
be in six months, you will get a vision policy of the government. Some of
the components of the vision policy are expressed in my budget speech.
About some, only indication is given. The final document will take some
time. May be by December.
In the meantime, the important features of the document, for day-to-day
functioning, will start flowing before that. They will form part of the
major policy document. what we intent to do it to bring out highlights of
the policy in a booklet form.
When we talk about industrial policy, we tend to forget that it should also
include strengthening the local industry. If IT can provide IT park, why not
pharma park with similar type of facilities. These type of aspects will be
taken care. The vision document will have some 30 areas of vision. What I
see Goa 10 years from now.
Q: Many a times, you have spelt out your mind regarding accountability. But
not much has actually happened.
A: There are two aspects: not always ministers have stopped me from doing
it. I would put it like this: at no time has anyone stopped me directly at
least in doing what I wanted on the matter of accountability. I don't
remember. But how many issues can you tackle at the same time? We have plans
to bring in accountability in road construction.
In the last 18 months, people were feeling the difference mainly because
a sense of accountability had definitely set in.
For the press, they get a thrill if more persons are put behind bars. For me
it may not serve the purpose may result in negative reaction -- a fear
psychosis there is too much of fear, no one wants to work. You have to
carefully move by which you encourage good people and discourage bad people.
This is what I had done last time also.
Q: Is that the reason why you stopped with only three arrests (Narvekar,
Zuwarkar and Mauvin)?.
A: No, not necessarily. It depends on the kind of corruption. I cannot go
into the past too much because if I spent more energy on them, I'll get
stuck up. But if some one continues with scandals now, or some one is caught
in the scandals in the pipeline, I will go and take action.
Q: Will your policy towards Goa University change and will more funds be
allocated to the university now?
A: I have always maintained one thing; Goa University should be hall of
excellence and this implies its upright or transparent functioning. If GU
with the new VC, who is young and enthusiastic, is ready for transparency,
funds itself should not be a problem.
Many a times it is said since it is autonomous body, no one can criticise
it. This holy cow approach should be curtailed because there are a number
of areas in the university where they have been questionable deals.
Again, I would like to mention that only numbers does not give quality.I
don't want to go more into it because the top man is new and I have promised
co-operation from my side. I will be pointing out out to him what are the
deficiences.
Q: Did your government act on the report of Dr M Modassir, who was appointed
as OSD in the GU?
A: Dr Modassir was not allowed to submit the full report...I don't want to
comment on this. Dr Modassir was looking into the financial apsect of the GU
and many questions have been raised. I expect the current VC to take care of
the issues raised.
Q: You have always been stressing on education -- right from the days you
have been in the opposition. What exactly is your vision of education in Goa
- -- a sector where crores of rupees are spent by the government annually.
A: We never stressed on quality. Always on quantity. I have started
changing this. I believe that primary education is the most important
section.
Under the guise of secularism, education is being devoid of any values.
Here, I don't want to go into the debate of saffronisation. Here I have my
own ideas of value education. But let others tell me what their ideas are.
Those who are criticising that education is being saffronised should suggest
to me what are they.
They all will agree that values are being lost. So let them suggest what
values they want us to have. I will not put my agenda. Let us take the
agenda the hidden agenda of the people who criticise -- saffronisation of
education.
I have not come across a single constructive suggestion for the improvement
of education in quality. I sincerely believe that you have to teach our
children our past. I am ready to accept even the available books which are
recognised so that the question of re-writing does not arise.
But why don't history books tell us about freedom fighters who fought for
Goa's freedom struggle? When I teach my son, I don't see anything on Goa's
freedom struggle. It does not talk about Tristao Braganza Cunha. How will a
Hindu boy have the feeling of a close relationship with a Catholic? How will
togetherness develop?
We must realise that Catholics also had participated in Goa's freedom
struggle. For me I don't require a RSS fellow to be considered a hero of
Goa's freedom struggle. For me the biggest hero of Goa&'s freedom struggle
is Dr TB Cunha.
I am ready to accept him as a hero. Are the people who oppose saffronisation
ready to accept him as a hero of Goa's struggle for freedom? If so, let them
say, I will put up a chapter on T B Cunha in one of the history books. Let
them set their agenda. Looks like they don't have one.
Q:Do you mean to say patriotism?
A:Dr T B Cunha was really a great freedom fighter. Yes it (patriotism) is
also important.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2002 08:50:29 +0530 (IST)
From: Frederick Noronha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] JOTTINGS: Meeting WRdeS on the printed page....
This observer must be among the most devoted of non-devout readers
interested in issues related on religion. So Charlie Pye-Smith's "Rebels
and Outcasts: A Journey Through Christian India" (Viking,
1997) immediately caught one's attention.
But then, as you know, foreign books are by now often pretty much a waste
of money in India. Devaluation of the Indian rupee (done with such
anti-national fervour, all in the name of boosting exports) has pushed
many foreign products out of the reach of many in India. Particularly
books. One recalls exchanging seven locally-published books of varying
quality to pay back for one from the UK.
Besides, even if you could afford it, should you go in for it? India is
currently seeing a blooming of its domestic publishing industry. (Some big
firms in Delhi publish a book, on average, every three days.) Not only are
these affordable, but they're often relevant and interesting, simply on
grounds of proximity: they deal with issues closer home.
There's also a question of whether one should go on with the
environmentally-destructive habit of buying books, to add to one's growing
unread-books collection, in these information-overload days.
It's a dilemma to live in a Goa starved of sufficient libraries.
Anyway, coming back to Pye-Smith. One couldn't resist thumbing through the
chapter on Goa, titled 'The Roman Conquest'.
In that, we encountered friend WRdaS, described thus:
At this point (page 94) Father Willie d'Silva, a tall,
pale-skinned, wavy haired man of exceptional good looks,
came into the room. He was in a hurry as he had a
night bus to catch, but he sat down to chat with us for
twenty minutes or so. A few days later the principal
of the Jesuit college in Mangalore asked me if I had
met him. When I told hm that I had, he simply said,
'He's a genius, of course.'
Father Willie was a lecturer at Panjim University.
He had recently completed the translation of the
Bible into Kanarese and he had carried out
sociological research on a broad range of issues,
including the practise of dowry, expatriate Christian
cultures in the Middle East, the status of untouchables
in India and religious conflict. He was a great
iconoclast, and his views on the institution of the
Church must make the Catholic hierarchy shudder. He
estimated that between 10,000 to 15,000 Catholics out
of the half million in Goa had deserted the Church
to join charismatic groups like the Assembly of God and
the New Life Fellowship. I asked him whether he was
concerned about this.
"No," he said cheerfully. "It doesn't worry me in the
least. I see it as a blessing, and not a blessing in
disguise. The institutionalization of the Church has
led to an accumulation of authority and power. By
joining the charismatics, people are reacting against
the hierarchical system and all the nonsense that
entails."
Before he rushed off, Father Willie mentioned that
there was also a charismatic movement within the
Catholic Church and that a group met here, at
Jesuit House, on Friday evenings. He suggested I
attend one of their meetings. I said I would, but
added that I was wary of being drawn into emotional
forms of worship.
"I undersand that," he said, nodding. "I like my own
personal space too."
I asked whether he attended these charismatic meetings.
"No," he replied, grimacing. "I don't need to. My
room's next door and I hear everything that's going on."
Father Willie departed and I got up to leave....
There were fewer doubts now. The only question was the price of the book.
I looked. The printed price said twenty pounds
sterling. Frightful. Written at the corner of the back cover was a
more-reasonable Rs 595. One other more desperate-looking hand had scrawled
elsewhere on the cover, Rs 150.
"What is *the* price?" I asked exasperated.
Fortunately, this was a book exhibition being put up by my friend Khalil
Ahmed of Broadways at the Institute Menezes Braganza. (Rival booksellers
hate his guts, swear that he's monopolising book-sales in Goa, and
brining in cut-throat competition. Readers like me love his sales; they
offer tomes not at the ludicrous printed prices. But, by bring in 2, 3, 4
or more year old books... who cares... Khalil's Broadway offers them at
the prices someone earning in Indian Rupees could afford.)
Khalil's son said the price *was* Rs 595, but it was being offered for
"only Rs 150". There was no hesitation left....
Last night, one finished half the book in a sitting (amazing for a slow
reader!). Pye-Smith -- who's earlier books were on the Nile, Nepal and
Barcelona -- describes Christianity in India in a travel-writer's
style. He takes you from Shimla (the old British colonial summer capital),
to work done in Delhi slums, battles over Church of North India properties
in Pune... the rest one is still to read.
Of course, Pye-Smith gets away with saying some pretty atrocious things,
and often treats the people he meets with that wry British sense of
humour. I don't know what they would think if they read the book, but it
makes for easy and interesting reading....
There were times one found oneself laughing uncontrolably at the way in
which he put across things (leaving aside, of course, the unintentional
errors like the 'Panjim University' and 'half-million Catholics' as emerge
from the writeup above). FN
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 08 Jul 2002 09:40:07 +0530
From: Goa Desc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] Misuse of public funds HC asks Govt to list steps to curb menace.
****************************************************************
Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service
& circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network
(GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*****************************************************************
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misuse of public funds HC asks govt to list steps to curb menace
Vishwajit's expenditure comes a cropper
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a significant order, the State has been directed by the High Court
to disclose what steps it intends to take to provide guidelines for the
expenditure
incurred by persons holding high public offices in State-owned corporations,
in order to curb misuse of public funds.
The direction has come in a writ petition filed by the Goa Tourism Development
Corporation Ltd Employees Union, challenging then Chairman,
Vishwajit Rane's alleged excessive expenditure.
The division bench comprising Justice V C Daga and Justice P V Hardas
expressed concern over the expenditure incurred especially as the corporation
had been incurring huge operational losses.
The Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court, in its order, has asked the State
"to file an affidavit as to what steps it proposes to take for the purpose
of providing guidelines for incurring expenses by persons holding high
public offices
in State-owned corporations or companies like the post held by Rane,
so as to arrest misuse of public funds''.
The Court also directed the State as well as GTDC Ltd to file affidavits
disclosing all material facts and particulars leading to the expenses
supported by documentary evidence in order to find out if Rane,
while spending public resources, had utilised his position to advance
the general well-being of the Corporation and its aims and objectives.
GTDC and Rane were also directed to disclose why the advances were still
lying unsettled.
It may be recalled that the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd
Employees Union
had filed a petition in court stating that during the financial year
1999-2000 and 2000-2001,
the corporation had incurred huge operational losses, inspite of which the
excessive
expenditure towards providing luxuries and entertainment continued unabated.
"The time has come to look into this aspect of the matter as it involves
public money.
The growing tendency to spend public funds without any accountability and
transparency
by the persons holding public posts, or public offices, due to political
patronage
has become the order of the day. The case in hand could be an eye-opener'',
the court said in its order.
The details of the expenses incurred by Rane are as follows:
advance for traveling Rs 7.66 lakh,
advance for entertainment 2.96 lakh,
Telephone expenses Rs 3.94 lakh,
expenditure on PA and Liaison officer Rs 1.57 lakh,
expenditure on fuel and car repairs Rs 2 lakh,
cost of new Icon Ford Rs 6.19 lakh;
all totalling to Rs 32.48 lakh.
The Court held that notices be issued before admission returnable
after two weeks, and adjourned the matter for two weeks.
Vishwajit Rane was the chairman during the GPCP-BJP coalition government
headed by Francisco Sardinha and later during the Parrikar-led BJP ministry.
He was removed from the chairmanship by Mr Parrikar a little more than a month
before the assembly elections.
- ----------------------------------------
HERALD 27/6/02 page 1
- ----------------------------------------
=======================================
GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE
Documentation + Education + Solidarity
11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507
Tel: 252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy
=======================================
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2002 04:49:02 -0600 (MDT)
From: "harvey d'souza" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] Wild goa trip tmw on frogs
Hi !
We are holding a Wild Goa trip tomorrow, 9 July, at porvorim, from 8 pm
to 9 30 pm. This one will be conducted by Aaron Lobo and will focus on
frogs. Ever heard of birdsong? Aaron L can identify frog species by their
calls !
We regret the short notice , but Aaron has returned briefly from the WII,
Dehra Dun , and hopes to meet serious participants.
Our search will take us through rain soaked paddyfields, so please be
warned. Carry torches, rainwear etc. You might have to walk barefeet, or
with gumboots. The charges as usual , will be Rs 50 per person, and Rs 25
for students. Please confirm participation by email or phone 401814 or
9822149745.
The meeting place is outside porvorim chapel, at 8 pm.
Regards,
Harvey D'souza & Neil Alvares,
www.southernbirdwing.com
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 07 Jul 2002 16:21:18 +0530
From: Frederick Noronha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] Re: Marathi Has No Case In Goa
Most write-ups on this subject take a simplistic view of why so many
Konkani-speakers take a pro-Marathi perspective in Goa. In fact,
Konkani-supporters fail to understand (or deliberately avoid
understanding) most of the intracacies involved. As a recent book on the
politics of the Hindi language movement recently pointed out, the issue at
stake was not just language... This subject has not been adequately dealt
with in the English-language media. FN
>From: "rene barreto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: [Goanet] Marathi Has No Case In Goa
>Marathi Has No Case In Goa
>By CHANDRAKANT KENI
>hysteric outburst of Gomantak Marathi Academy and some others, who call
>themselves protagonists of Marathi language, over the announcement of Chief
>Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar on 125th birth anniversary of late Vaman
>Raghunath Varde Valaulikar alias Shenoy Goembab, is both irrelevant and
>untenable. The Chief Minister announced his Government's decision to
>celebrate on state level the birth anniversary of the great Goan, who apart
>from being a doyen of modern Konkani literature, was a great champion of the
>struggle to restore the lost Goan identity and the honour of the people of
>Goa. In fact, Konkani, which has been
------------------------------
End of goanet-digest V1 #4138
*****************************
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--W-E-B--S-I-T-E--=-=-=
To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet Digest | http://goacom.com/goanet
======================================================================
* Send e=mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (NOT [EMAIL PROTECTED])
* Leave SUBJECT blank <--- Commom Mistake !!
* On first line of the BODY of your message, type:
subscribe goanet-digest YOUR.EMAIL
OR unsubscribe goanet-digest YOUR.EMAIL
DO NOT include the entire digest when replying to goanet !!!!!!
Questions/Problems? Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
