Union Minister for Defence Ministry of Defence Govt of India NEW DELHI Union Minister for Home Affairs Ministry of Home Govt of India NEW DELHI
Rear Admiral Shekar Sinha Flag Officer Commanding Goa Vasco da Gama Goa Station Commander Sea Bird Project Binaga Karwar Sir, After Mr S K Sinha took over as Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area on 16.4.2004 he had kindly announced in July 2004 that the Navy has permitted (albeit with security considerations) the visit to the Island and celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Springs (Nossa Senhora de Brotas) on 2nd February, at Anjediv Island (near Karwar) off the coast of Canacona Goa as per the agreed terms of transfer of island by the Govt of Goa. This news was welcome by all and sundry. This year too the customary Feast will be celebrated on 2nd February, 2004 As per a communique from the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman, dated 15.1.2005, to Station Commander Sea Bird, this year it is decided that two masses will be held one at 1000 hrs and the other at 1300 hrs to regulate the crowd participating in the Feast. However it is noted as per reports on the local (Karwar) Kannada daily dated 23.1.2005 and confirmed by this writer that one Mr Pramod Mutalik General Secretary Vishwa Hindu Parishad South India has once again threatened to prevent conduct of the Feast on this Island. On an earlier ocassion too on 21.10.2004 on the eve of Dusserha he had threatened to enter the island and conduct religious rites at an ancient temple believed to be on the Island but this move was averted due to the timely intervention of the District Magistrate Karwar and the Navy It may be noted that until 1987 the Island was in the revenue taluka of Canacona Goa and the only Feasts celebrated by the people of Goa and attended by the people of Binaga and Karwar were the above Feast and the Feast of St Francis de Assisi on 4th October. Therefore the attempts of the VHP to disrupt the festivities is uncalled for and needs to be put on check. It may be recalled that the BJP led Goa Government had donated Rs 25,000 to the repairs of this Church and also ensured the smooth conduct of the Feasts in the past years. Therefore the devoutees feel that the State machinery both in Karnataka Goa and the Defence Ministry and Home Ministry Govt of Goa should take all necessary steps to ensure the smooth conduct of the customary Feast and ensure the safety of all those visiting from Goa. The sacred Constitution of India provides for a secular democratic society and therefore any attempts to create a law and order situation should be nipped in the bud. The people of Goa who have maintained a tolerance towards all communities will not be cowed down by such threats . This year they have promised to attend in large numbers as they are delighted that the Sea Bird authorities at its own cost have now (18th May, 2004 repaired the Church and restored it to its pristine glory to the satisfaction of all. 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
