[Gulf Goans] Say 'Yes' to the `Clean Goa Initiative' - The peaceful rally and meeting in Panjim on October 17, 2005 (in pictures)

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 23:41:52 -0700

Say 'Yes' to the `Clean Goa Initiative'
Photos taken exclusively for www.goa-world.com

by Gordon Lobo

 

Ethel Da Costa and Margaret Mascarenhas comparing notes.

It seems to be that time of the year when you're suddenly woken up to take stock. The unrest in your heart finds a motive for action, energizing your body with adrenalin. The voices inside you find a platform, and as you forge on this self discovery you find that there are people willing to listen. To lend a hand. Willing to go the extra mile to contribute towards a healthy, humane society.

 

 

 

 

Cecil Pinto waving flanked by Jose and Ted.

Every initiative starts with a 'Yes.' It's just a matter of time when conviction turns it into 'We Can.' That's how Wendell woke me up one early Sunday morning to tell me that we had to do, what we had to do for Goa. The time was now. The time was right. When I got to my email, there was a letter waiting from Margaret. Goa had had her share of rubbish upto her gills. The people of Curca had had their share of filth shoved down their throat. Calangute-Candolim-Baga had no idea what to do with their waste.
Panjim was gagging with the stench and Colvale ready and up in arms if another truck sneaked by with plastic and garbage for their hills.

 


An initiative can turn into mass momentum if fueled by people power. Unfortunately, a section of the media has been more interested in
'snubbing' the issue rather than taking the problem to the streets and seeking immediate redressal. Garbage is not a `celebrity' issue. It affects the lives of the common man. Sure, it took a celebrity to bring the issue to the national forefront, even as we were getting pretty comfortable barking and getting back into the doghouse with no action.
The mantra of any evolving community is the ability of its people to question authority. Because it takes more than just a government to keep the wheels of an economy grinding. This slow awakening is our first step towards declaring 'NO' to garbage. It has begun. It is a `Yes' to Clean Goa. And it's about time.

 

 

 

 

 

We all love to see Goa Clean - The attentive Crowd...

As Goa decks up yet again donning the war paint to host the 36th
International Film Festival of India, no fancy cars and glittering dinners will quieten the disquiet stirring in the homes of the people of Curca and Colvale as more trucks head their way laden with the garbage of the city. The villagers do not care about the foreign delegates. They do not care about the awards. They do not care about stars canoodling under the palm trees or going ga-ga over prawn balchao. Surely, the film festival has given Goa the credit she deserves internationally as the unrivalled jewel of the country. She is, undoubtedly. But the needs of the people of Goa still continue to be basic. Safe drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, competitive education and a healthy environment for growth continue
to be our priorities.

The vast supporting crowd

The `Clean Goa Initiative' seeks to find solutions to diffuse Goa's humungous garbage time-bomb through a solution driven public campaign at the Mermaid Garden on October 17 (a peaceful rally will begin from the Church Square, 5.30pm onwards to the garden) even as the government struggles to find solutions to Goa's waste management. But does it only take a government to make a healthy State? What is our contribution in maintaining vigilance?

 

 

 

Cecil Pinto flanked by sons and outflanked by Jose and Floriano Lobo

Have we educated ourselves enough on how not to generate excess garbage? Are we brushing up on our civic responsibility as bonafide citizens? It is us, the people of Goa, who must now step forward
and assist in finding solutions at our own grassroot levels through
self-help community programmes and initiatives, since every government in Goa has failed to identify and work towards providing long term solutions that could buffer Goa's economic prosperity.

 

 

 

 

The poster says it all.

 

You and I are equally responsible to ensure that we are alert of the ways in which the government spends the tax-payers money. You and I must doubly ensure that the government spends wisely on providing basic infrastructure to enhance our quality of life. You and I must assist in building a society that seeks solutions. When we are vigilant at home can we rise up to being vigilant citizens of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Margaret Mascarenhas onstage

 

The Chief Minister offers sincere assistance in solution finding, but it is the people of Goa with the help of the media (too much negative press lately only blinds readers towards more prejudices, instead of getting to the bottom of the problem), who must ensure that the government keeps its commitment strong (Goa needs garbage treatment plants and desperately).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethel phoning someone important.jpg
 And that we all join hands and work toward building a healthy, safe Goa for the children of tomorrow. Time to join forces of conviction and selflessness to walk Goa proudly towards the 21st century.

 

 

 

 

 

Text:

Let's be pro-active for a Clean Goa - Ethel da Costa

HEART TO HEART (Herald - 16th October)
BY ETHEL DA COSTA
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/6850

 

- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com                        18/10/2005

 

 

Ulysses Menezes & Gaspar Almeida

www.goa-world.com/goa/about_goa/ 

 

 

Specially thanks to:

Cecil Pinto, Ethel Da Costa, Margaret Mascarenhas and Gordon Lobo.



This first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-newsletter is dedicated to Goans around the Globe. http://www.goa-world.com/ Team, moderated by Almeida Gaspar since 1994 & presented by Ulysses Menezes, owner of http://www.goa-world.com website.

Upcoming events in Kuwait:
* Colva Feast of Infant Jesus on 27th Oct. 2005 at Holy Family Cathedral celebrated by Colva United Centre (CUC)
* BBSC Fiesta 2005 - 3rd Nov. 2005 organized by Bombay Boys Sports Club.
* The Sentinels presents "COUTURE MANTRA 2005" - multidimensional Fashion Show & Theme Party on 10th Nov 2005 at Faker Eldeen Palace.
* Traditional Colva Nite on 24th Nov. 2005. Details Tel 2613680, 2648731
* Goan Heritage Program organized by Club.9 at Hilton Kuwait with "Pure Magic" & "Stepping Stones" on 8th Dec. 2005.


'Speak Konkani, Save KonkaniĀ’ http://www.goa-world.com/goa/konkani
'Konkani uloi, Konkani samball' http://mangalorean.com/konkani/archive.php?ltype=Lesson

Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

http://www.goa-world.com
http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music
http://www.mahableshwar.com/


Addresses:
Post message: [email protected]
Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
URL to this page:
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans





SPONSORED LINKS
Gulf coast real estate Gulf shore al real estate Gulf shores condo
Gulf shores real estate Asian manufacturer Gulf coast condo

YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS



Reply via email to