------------------------------------------------------------------------ * * * 2007 ANNUAL GOANETTERS MEET - GOA * * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WHERE: Foodland Cafe - Miramar Residency - Miramar, Goa
WHEN: December 27, 2007 @ 4:30pm More info: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2007-December/066098.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The week long " Goa's Movement against SEZ " beginning Valpoi and ending in the Salcete finally culminated in todays gathering at the Azad Maidan Panaji. The warm up for the meet began with a musical rendition of a duet by Mr Sucorro, Sigmund and Siddhant Ulhas Buyao all centered around anti SEZ theme and an appeal to save our tiny Goa from destruction. As the various groups of youth women and men began assembling at the venue from Naquerim Betul Quepem Taleigao Soccorro Cabo de Ram Querim Verna Valpoi etc they carried along with them placards -- "DOWN with SEZ" "Jaag Goemkara " Save Goa" "STOP RAPE AND DESTRUCTION OF OUR BEAUTIFUL LAND" etc. There were many sporting the orange green caps apparently representing the BJP. Several NGO's etc were also in attendance under the banner of the GMAS -- Ajay Pereira representing Peoples Committee against SEZ, Succoro D Souza United Goan Welfare Front Floriano Lobo Goa Su-raj Party Agnelo Rodrigues Goa Raponkaracho Ekvot Nirmala Sawant Mhadei (Mandovi) Bachao Andolan, Jeevan Mayekar CoConvenor Utt Goenkara Sorter D Souza Peaceful Society Fr Lino Florindo Pilar Society Fr Bismark Dias.Mr Aires Rodrigues ex CM Ms Sashikala Kakodakar, Dr J C Almeida IAS, Mr Satish Sonak Dr Uday Barad Mr Prajal Sakhardande Dr N S Dhumo etc. While the BJP was represented by its MLA and Leader of Opposition Mr Manohar Parrikar Mr Laximikant Parsekar MLA Mandrem Mr Francis D Souza MLA Mapusa Mr Shripad Naik MP and State President BJP and Mr Mathany Saldanha Convenor of the GMAS. Most speakers lay the blame for SEZ's on the ex CM of Goa and present Speaker Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane, and Mr Dayanand Narvekar Minister for IT Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar MLA Quepem Mr Aleixo Sequiera Minister for Power and even ex MLA Navelim and ex CM Luisinho Faleiro. Interestingly Mr Antanasio (Babush ) Monseratte who was seated in the front row with the audience was in for praise for his single-handed opposition to the IT Habitat scam at Taleigao. The fear that the population of Goa which was around 5.6 lacs in 1961 has now touched almost 15 lacs and that should be the cut off mark lest we destroy the demographic composition of the State was given special highlight. The fears of Bangalore the Garden city now an IT hub filled with garbage litter traffic congestion and high population density was a sign of the things to come if the 18 SEZ's are set up in Goa. Assured 24X7 untinterrrupted power water supply to SEZ's would deprive the indigenous Goans of their daily needs on this front. The huge work force needed as per projections submitted by those who have applied thus far indicate a sizable influx which could neutralise the indigenous Goans and wipe of our social and cultural ethos. Our bunds fields ponds rivers hills and sea were consistent with our cultural well being where man lived in harmony with nature -- this will now be wiped off as hills are being razed water bodies filled up paddy fields converted for non agricultural use. Our land is our Identity where a Goan finds no land the Goa Industrial Development Corporation has made land government and gaunkari (communidade land ) available to those intending to set up SEZ's . There is no land available for our children and for the greed of money prime land is being sold to non goans The land for the proposed Oceanarium was one instance where the Government took back land which was not intended to be used for the purpose it was acquired. Shockingly within a weeks time of application the previous Governement gave away 14 lacs m2 of land. China has just seven SEZ's as against 18 proposed for Goa. Interestingly the ultimatum was also served not only to the coalition Government to cancel all the SEZ's by tommorrow failing which the agitation could turn violent . Tourists visiting the State were forewarned of an unpleasant stay during the festive season, if the Government fails to hear the voice of the " aam admi " They castigated the CM Mr Digamber Kamat for failing to be firm in doing away with SEZ'z ,even after being six months in office. Further his stance of "studying" the issue and constituting task force and other committees to study indicates a sense of nongovernance and working under undue influence from outsiders and forces within. Tommorow being the 46th Goa Liberation Day it is time the Goans think of their future and ensure that Goa remains a safe haven for Goans before the turn of the 50th year of Liberation. The following resolution was passed unanimously 1. resolved to demand immediate scrapping of SEZ policy in the State of Goa immediate cancellation and withdrawal of all SEZ applicationse sent to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry GoI as also immediate de notification of notified SEZ' 2. Resolved to demand judicial inquiry in allocation of land and setting up of SEZ's IT Habitat Park Retreats and Food Parks 3. Resolved to demand total updating of employment exchange live register within a period of one month. And the Government to bring out a white paper on the unemployed in Goa with details of qualification age place of birth and skills. On similar lines Government should immediately publish a white paper bringing out details of all those who are employed in this state of Goa with respect to all industrial establishments including tourism fisheries and agriculture. The same papers should be widely publicised through websites 4.Resolved to demand that the Government should not acquire any land from private individuals or communidades except for the purpose of infrastructural projects all for the benefit of the State of Goa So also the Government should not acquire any land so as to give the same to private parties for private use either by sale by lease contract or otherwise. The message to the Government was clear violent days are ahead and a message to non Goans to wind up shop in the state -- FREEZE GOA'S POPULATION TO 15 LACS and "Jinku kiva maru may turn into MARO" warned one speaker in a truly aggressive mode. sidelights: a) there was a mixed group of participants hindus, catholics irrespective of political party affiliations b) it was clearly a BJP headed meet c) the issue being to Save Goa many felt that presence of politico in the opposition did not matter, while a significant number of those present also expressed concern that politics make strange bedfellows. Those spitting venom against BJP politicians some time ago were now seen rubbing shoulder with them today. d) pamphlets were distributed today explaining opposition to SEZ e) police sensing trouble were seen providing a heavy bandobust. from the Azad Maidan Panaji GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. 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