Lately my movement is restricted by minor cervical spondylosis. I am on painkillers. I am keenly following the direction and dynamics of the 'mining agent' discussion. I have seen in 33 years of my active public life how well settled people suddenly wake up, choose an issue and take a high moral position. Now an intensity scale is being prescribed for environmental issues. I am pleased to inform all the discussants that I would be publishing as a booklet ( with Konkani and Marathi translations later) without editing all the critical comments about me and put them before the people, including obviously people in mining areas. It would be useful also after my death ( it may come sooner than any one of you expect, this is not a joke but take it is a serious statement) as an excellent peer review of a scientist-activist's life. Please be very liberal in your criticism. Cyberspace words don't hurt me. In fact, it would help me to review my own decisions, my own life and considerably improve me spiritually. Besides such shock treatment also kicks up my literary spirit. More critical comments are welcome. Also please dig as much as possible from my personal life. Get the records from Panaji and Ribandar/Old Goa police and the JMFC courts about my arrests , time spent in jail and attending the courts etc. I also wish to post details about my assets and liabilities and income and expenditure and my lavish lifestyle voluntarily as the interesting discussion proceeds. it would prove my corrupt nature. Any punishment from cybercourt is acceptable. We need more critical discussion. Inflate the archives. My four and half year old son when he grows up can also excavate the archive and understand how useless and selfish his father had been. I am also thinking in writing about these comments in vernacular media so that people come to know about my real face, mistakes, crimes and misdeeds. I would show the most critical comments when delegations from mining affected areas, farmers, horticulturists seeking advice for public hearing etc, approach me at my residence or Goa University. I would also ask my close colleagues-Rajendra Kerkar and Ramesh Ganwas whether they approve this interesting inquisition and consult them about future course of action. I would also discuss this matter with ex student leader and journalist Mr. sandesh prabhudessai of Prudent Media (funded by a Mining group, no conflict of interest there?) and former student leader, engineer and vice president of Goa Bacahao Abhiyan, Ravindra Bhavan,, Margao and CEO of Fomento's Margao Sonsodo project (no conflict of interest there?) lyricist Mr. Shridhar Kamat. I wish to also consult Dr. Bikram Patel of Sangath whether their collaboration with Dempo mining co. amounts to 'conflict of interests" and whether Indian NGOs and activists are comfortable with pharma giant Wellcome Trust's sponsorships. I have my own critical assessment of the 'mining agent' debate. Actually it has little to do with Arundhati Roy related postings. I am a thorn in the way of many people. Details of this politics in my free and frank memoirs.... Interestingly, I would have been spared of "mining agent" label if I were to be on the same level as Dr. Ligia Noronha. With excellent local, national and international contacts/connections , including those with NGOs and activists and policy makers whatever she does as a paid job/ employee of TERI would never be seen as 'conflict of interests'. As an environmental economist she knows much more and in detail about legal and illegal mining in Goa. She is definitely in a position to satisfy the expectations people keep from me.
For those who are unaware-dr. Noronha is also a member of Western ghats expert panel chaired by Dr. Madhav Gadgil. We met in Bangalore on March 30 th. Read the minutes of the meeting at http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/MoM_western_ghats.pdf I had mentioned in the Bangalore meeting the pressure brought on me. My assessment of this environmental politics and its' clandestine international angle would be sent in a report to MOEF and the Home ministry. I would now like to see what improved yardstick is applied to Dr. Noronha. Although my ideology has been questioned the ideological architect of mineral foundation of Goa is non other than Dr. Ligia Noronha who was fellow of TERI. A separate yardstick has been applied to her and her NGO. The proof is directly from TERI website as below:- "Project A frame work for a minerals foundation for Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association, Goa, India Summary This project suggested and designed a framework of a Foundation to support environmental and social programmes in the Mining belt of Goa. This project was taken up at the initiative of ‘Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association’ (GMOEA) so as to assist them in setting up the said foundation. Salient features of the foundation Nature- corporate foundation Type of corporate foundation - donor and partnering Legal form- society Governance structure– a tri-sector partnership of GMOEA/GMA (Goa Mining Association), government and civil society Core programme -environmental improvements, community development and best management practices Funding mechanism-corpus and annual contributions based on tonnage produced and from other sources based on the principle of ‘additionality’ Guidelines for submission of proposals and the criteria for approval have been prepared for environmental projects and other activities. The foundation was registered on 12th December 2000." Does anyone knows why Canada is funding mining research in Goa? Nothing was discussed about Canadian mining interests ( Canada also exports ore to China and has its' environmental problems to tackle) in Goa and Canadian funding for research on mining in Goa. More about it later...and from open official sources Now here is some interesting information about my nomination on EC of MFG conceptualised by TERI. I am not consultant to MFG. All that I have received , like other members as per their rules, so far is Rs. 2000 as sitting/transport expenditure for a single half day meeting. I learnt many things in the meeting -like how people in mining area approach MFG for projects. I would like to post copies of minutes. In fact I could see wasteful expenditure. I asked the chairman "are you running a parallel administration in these villages?". I did not lobby for EC of MFG membership. It was Mr. Parag ranganekar who approached me with the request. Mr. Parag Raganekar is a well known ornithologist and natural historian in Goa, he specializes in birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and is an employee of Mineral foundation of Goa. would NGOs go after his blood, boycot him, see conflict of interests?. I can initiate a nice inquisition against him-" Bloody butterflies!Why ornitho/lepidepterologist Parag licking the boots of criminal miners through MFG?." Goanetters may please give the green signal.... Finally-please have a careful look at the list of non official members who had represented civil society on MFG before me. Was a separate yardstick applicable to them?. One member mr. Wagh is no more there to defend himself. For the term 2009-11 besides me Dr. Narayan Dessai is also nominated. For those who may not know he is related to environmental activist and social worker , Nyon 6, 6 agitation hero Dr. Dattaram Dessai and another selfless champion of Goa's sustainable future Dr. Anil Dessai ( in UK). I am happy that Dr. Narayan has been ( at least so far, who knows what happend after I post this?) spared of all the "mining agent' tirade. Questions directed to me have not been so far directed to him. Since all these postings are valuable for posterity and I am not afraid to sacrifice my life for any dear Goan cause, while fighting till last breath against forces who wish to break and disintegrate my beloved country-once again I welcome the most critical criticism. Let the anger, hatred, misgivings, mistrust, frustrations come out in full force. It would be a valuable Internet literary asset for me. I am spoiled by likes of Saint Eknath. 'Ma vidvishavahay, sarve santu niramaya, Sarve bhadrani pashyantu, Na kaschit dukhmapnuyet' Mining agent-Nandkumar Parag's mail is pasted below. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Parag Rangnekar <rangnekarpa...@gmail.com> Date: Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 9:41 AM Subject: Re: Is Nandakumar Kamat an Agent of Mine Owners and the Politicians Who Want to Sell Minerals for a Song to Multinationals for their Personal Benefit? To: "Dr.Nandkumar Kamat" <nandka...@gmail.com> Dear Dr. Kamat, Apologies for the delayed response. The following have represented the civil society on the Executive Committe of the Mineral Foundation earlier: 2001-03 1. Shri. R. A. Mazalkar 2. Dr. B.A. Gomes 2003-05 1. Shri. K.D. Sadhale 2. Shri. Jagdish Wagh 2005-07 1. Shri. Arun Madgaonkar 2. Smt. Asha Sawardekar 2007-09 1. Shri. Arun Madgaonkar 2. Dr. Narayan Desai warm regards Parag -- Dr. Nandkumar Kamat, GOA