With just two days left for the Feast of Our Lady of Springs Nossa Senhora das Brotas on 2/2/2005 at Anjediv Island off Canacona Taluka Goa, near Binaga Karwar this writer spoke to Rear Admiral S Sinha Flag Office Commanding Goa area at Vasco da Gama Goa this afternoon.
Mr Sinha who has impeccable secular credentials in his teletalk with this writer afternoon admitted that he himself had during his visit to the Church at Anjediv issued instructions to maintain it in a dignified manner. . When reminded of his assurance in July 2004 that the Navy would like to build bridges of friendship with the civilians and allow the visits to the Island he said he stood by that stand but this project coming under the Sea Bird comes under a separate wing at headquarters in New Delhi and they need to be approached. This writer then went to Karwar this evening for consultations with the BJP MLA of Karwar Mr Gangadhar Bhat at Sadashivgad and requested him to make arrangements for the buses arriving from Goa on the feast day to be parked at the KSRTC stand after dropping the devoutees at the Administrative office gate for the Mass at 10OO a.m and 1.00 p.m. Mr Bhat willingly agreed to make all these arrangements and assured to talk to the RTO officials and District Commissioner Karwar and left for Bangalore at 4.00 p.m. as the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session begins tommorrow. He however provided this writer his mobile number 9440125833 for easy communication. He also added that the Sea Bird authorities need to give permission for the Feast to which he was informed that it is customary and hence their permission is only a matter or routine not Sea bird authorities discreetion. Thereafter the writer went to the Sea Bird Administrative officers gate No 2 but was informed that Cmdr S. S Karnik had just left for the Karwar Market. This writer visited the Sea Bird Office at Binaga and left a hand written note informing him that a) all arrangements may kindly be made for the Feast and giving reference of letter dated 15.1.2005 written by the office of the Archbishop of Goa & Daman REPLY FOR WHICH IS STILL AWAITED by the Archbishops office; b) all devoutees have been informed not to carry any food or water and that the Sea Bird officials should kindly arrange for the water / toilet facilities on the Feast Day c) admission would be desired at the Administrative office gate No 2 d) such other measures as would ensure the safe conduct of the festivities as usual Notwithstanding artillery programme or threat perception from a few the customary feast cannot be done away with on this ground and all security arrangement need to be made to check the menance Thereafter the writer interacted with the Parish Priest of Binaga who was only facilitating the arrangements for the Feast at the behest of the Archbishops office. However the people of Karwar who have also been attending to this Feast, and met this writer were of the strong opinion that the officials of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman should meet the officials of the Sea Bird and discuss with them once and for all an arranged programme as such last minute arrangements and directions from Panaji Goa only causes confusion. They requested the undersigned to convey this to the office of the Archbishop, for them they stated was a Feast as the "Zorichem Saibinn" as they fondly call Our Lady was their Protector while they were at sea irrespective of religious belief Hindus or Catholics This writer has been interacting with Fr Joaquim Loyola Pereira since the 10th of January 2005 but except for the letter dated 15th January 2005 no follow-up has been done till date. Merely awaiting a response from New Delhi will not serve the purpose. None of the committee members of the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman have been able to give a clear answer as to the arrangements, nor have they visited Binaga till date. hence the anxiety on the programme details. Besides the writer also contacted telephonically Dr John Dayal Vice President of All India Catholic Union New Delhi 09811021072 and he is believed to be approaching the authorities in New Delhi on the matter, Ms Margaret Alva the RS member who hails from North Kanara was also contacted telephonically earlier by this writer at New Delhi and she promised to take up the matter with the Defence Minister and the Home Minister as well. She is presently in Goa owing to political developments. Other MPs Mr Churchill Alemao and Mr Eduardo Faleiro and Chief Minister Mr Manohar Parrikar have also been posted of the developments but no response has been forthcoming. Meanwhile the customary Feast will be held as usual with two masses at 1000 am and 1.00 p.m. For those proceeding to Karwar they can take the State transport buses from Goa and get down at Karwar Bus stand and proceed by autorickshaw to the venue from there as usual the Naval authorities will provide buses. Incidentally it may be noted that contrary to common belief about strict security conditions, the Naval authorities during the Navy Week had thrown the entire Sea Bird open to civilians in December 2004 and even announced on newspapers invitation to the public. Hence one does not see any reason for "security consideration" threat perception by a few. On the return journey the writer tried to contact the Station Commander once again at 1920 hrs but was not available as he was believed to be attending a Party at Karwar as confirmed telephonically to this writer by and official. The writer when requested by this senior official to contact the Station Commander tommorrow morning 31st January, 2004 at 1000 a.m was informed that a note which is self-explanatory was left at the Commanders office and it is for the Sea Bird officials to make the necessary arrangements, the threats from some local outfits headed by the VHP Organising Secretary Mr Pramod Mutalik notwithstanding. A community cannot be held at ransom by the dictates of a few in a secular country. All religions lead to one GOD was the belief of Rear Admiral S Sinha of Goa area and rightly so. from Sea Bird Campus Binaga Karwar GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Help save the life of a child. 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