** NOTE: Please do not cc when posting to Goanet ** Dear all,
Many of you have written to me personally while some like Mr. Miguel Braganza and Mr. Oscar Lobo have shared their feedback on the public forum and I'm very grateful that you share my view that the crying need of the hour is that much more needs to be done for Goa before it's too late. We need the voice and support of as many people, irrespective of where you are - whether you are working in Goa or abroad, whether young or old, Goan or non-Goan; what matters is that you care for your beloved Goa and do what you can to put a stop to what's s wrong and not right. It's here our Goan Associations worldwide could help and do do their share to help Goa by voicing their opinions in this regard. Everyday Goa is exposed to the harmful and irreversible effects of damaging Mining activities, Real-Estate projects, Construction and such anti-people projects like the cricket stadium in Tivim in a forest area, the grandiose Vasco-Dona Paula sea link project in the making, ( the techno-feasibility study itself of the sealink would cost Rs. 8 crores and the actual project Rs1000 crores); dual airports in Goa for a population of 15 lakhs, etc. Unfortunately today corrupt Goan politicians and Government officials working in tandem with vested Business interests whether it be the Mining, Real Estate and Hotel Lobbies are dictating what anti-people and anti-environment policies they seek to promote without keeping in mind what's required. Every rule in the book is broken - thanks to the connivance of our greedy Goan politicians, corrupt Government officials including those from the Forest Department, Town and Country Planning Department and the village Panchayats who are all working overtime to destroy Goa rather than fulfil their responsibilities towards protecting Goa, its villages, forests, rivers, hills and natural environment. Our Goan Ministers and Officials are always finding ways to spend the Goan Taxpayers money by indulging themselves in visiting their popular destinations like the Middle East, Australia, Europe, so if you get an opportunity to see them in your neighbourhood or your Goan Association is hoisting a celebration in their honour, let them know what your thoughts are on the destruction they are causing in Goa and what kind of development you would rather to see for Goa. Write in support of your Goan brethren back home to the newspapers and renew your commitment and advance protection of our Goan Environment, climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green jobs and sustainable development for Goa. Having said that there are various groups in Goa and abroad standing up to protect Goa and demand what is right for - our Goan NGOs like Goa Foundation, MAAND, GAKUVED, PPS, Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA), SEZ Virodhi Manch and various Goan village groups and the common man in Goa who have been standing up to voice their opinions and protect Goa and the Goan environment. Ms. Carmen Miranda working with Mr. Claude Alvares and others are working on a Mining petition to the Union Government of India to protect the Western Ghats and our Forests in Goa from the ravages of destructive Mining. So while you our Goan Associations worldwide find time for fun and merriment, they also need to put their heart and soul in protecting and safe guarding what they love of Goa before it's too late. Working in that direction and letting the Goa Government know what their wishes are would be a step in the right direction for Goa. A big thank you to all who are giving so generously of their time and talents to the Goan cause! Roger D'Souza