Green Goenkars accept Big Builder's Awards 2009 If you are an activist deeply concerned and struggling against mega projects and mining that is destroying your village, here is extremely good news that your leaders have absolutely no reservations in receiving goodies from the construction industry. These comments must be interpreted in the backdrop of a recent statement made by out-going GCCI Chief Nitin Kunkolienkar, some time ago, claiming that opposing developmental projects has become a fashion among activists in Goa and that it (GCCI) would also launch a counter offensive. Thereafter, it is learnt that selected NGO heads in Goa have started recieving invitations from CCI for programs and dinners. Now, it is in the news that noted environmentalist Mr. Rajendra Kerkar had absolutely no scruples in accepting the Gera Big Goenkar 2009 of Big FM which has been sponsored by Pune based Gera Constructions Pvt. Ltd known for its galaxy of mega projects lined up in the State of Goa. The news says that though Rajendra Kerkar could not make it to the award ceremony because of the heavy rainfall, the award was received on his behalf by another environmentalist Nirmal Kulkarni who again had absolutely no scruples because he perhaps is only concerned about the wildlife ecology which probably has nothing to do with mega projects. Proudly displaying his Gera Concerned Citizen Award to the cameras was also another proclaimed historian of Goa, Mr. Prajal Sakardande, because perhaps mega projects do not affect his particular obsession with restoring the heritage dynasty at Old Goa. The question is whether, as an activist voicing concern over the destruction to Goa's environment by the mining and construction industry, it is ethical to receive such an award from a construction firm which is known for an activity just contrary to the desires of several goans struggling against such projects? While ethics for doctors and journalists gets discussed in public, the point is whether there exists any code of ethics for environmental and rights activists in Goa? Some time ago, pop star Remo Fernandes refused an award from the Goa government and so did fashion designer Wendell Rodricks protest in his own way by not accepting an invitation to an event organised by the Times group for a real estate show, just to make a point where it mattered the most. These are no activists but professionals that sometimes have to brush with the political establishment and corporate industry, but yet dare to stick their necks out now and then in support of people struggling to save Goa. It is yet another sad day for activism in Goa, as this is not just one isolated incident known in the history of Goa's environmental activism. This is supposedly a case of how some activists stand on the shoulders of unsuspecting masses and potray themselves as champions of people's movements only to be approapriated by the system. Shame! Shame!
-Soter D'Souza
