Carmen Miranda wrote: Secondly, for your information it is in fact the Goans in Goa who most need the information I shared at the Convention, (and twice at the Festival on Sunday) because most Goans in Goa in fact are not aware of the seriousness of the devastation going on in their backyards. Yes they know there is mining and it is causing some inconvenience to villagers in the interior and believe that is prosperity .....Well, if the majority of Goans in Goa were well informed and aware, they would have by now got rid of the politicians who are ultimately responsible for allowing the rape of Goa's hinterland as the consequences of such environmental degradation will seriously affect the future of many generations to come. That is why I began my talk by dispelling some myths about the importance of mining to Goa's economy and employment. Yes the powerpoint had some powerful visual evidence of what I was talking about , which I believe brought tears to the eyes of many goans who saw it for the first time and were totally shocked and unaware of extent of destruction. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carmen, This is what Goan Global Conventions should be all about i.e. a platform to display and discuss current problems and work on issues that effect our future. I am not surprised of your contention that there were attendees at the conference who had little or no knowledge of the ecological devastation caused by mining in Goa. There is similar ignorance with Goans here in Toronto too. Even people who go to Goa every winter are not aware of the devastation done to the environment as very little is reported by the news media in Goa. I congratulate you for making people aware of what is going on their backyards. My congrats too on your petition drive. I hope it makes it to the internet where all those who are concerned with the issue can sign it. Mervyn Lobo