[Goanet] Stop HARA Project In Eco-Sensitive Area of Santa Cruz
Come join the Campaign against the ecologically destructive HARA Project at Santa Cruz, Goa, on Sunday 8th.June 2014 from 4 pm to 6 pm near the Four Pillars landmark WHY THIS CAMPAIGN ? Ø The Project is in a green eco-sensitive belt that forms a continuous large expanse stretching from Ribandar, Chimbel and Merces to the east and Taleigao to the west. Ø The Project which is in the middle of the fields, is highly fraudulent and has been effected through a Gazette change carried out in the Development Plan, which was originally classified as Agricultural. It is highly shocking to note the area is now converted to a Local Commercial Zone with an FAR of 150%. Ø As per town planning development rules and regulations in force even small farm houses are NOT permitted in such areas classified as rice / paddy fields which are low-lying. *Then how has permission for the Project been granted ? * Ø This area has been free from buildings and structures for the last several centuries, it being in the tidal flood plain of the River Mandovi and is dotted with estuaries, creeks and waterways, ponds, marshy lands, saltpans, mangroves and cultivable fields. Ø The area is host to several species of animal life especially aquatic, attracting migratory birds and form part of a larger eco-system which in turn is necessary for our well-being and sustenance. Ø On a simpler note the expanse of open fields provides us – the residents of St. Cruz, a breathing space and a sense of identity against the cosmopolitan and busy urban scene of Panjim City. Ø It was unanimously resolved at a Gram Sabha, way back in July 2002 that the site of the proposed HARA Project, be protected as an ecological and agricultural area and no building-related development permission should be granted. This was once again resolved at the recent Gram Sabha held on 25 May 2014. Incidentally, this was also upheld in Draft Regional Plan 2021 *OUR DEMANDS* · *IT IS DEMANDED THAT NO BUILDING ACTIVITY EITHER ON THIS OR ANY OTHER PLOT IN THE AREA, BE PERMITTED. PERMISSIONS GRANTED SO FAR, MUST BE WITHDRAWN. * ·*IT IS ALSO DEMANDED THAT THE MANNER IN WHICH THE ZONE WAS CHANGED FROM AGRICULTURAL TO COMMERCIAL, BE INVESTIGATED THOROUGHLY* Reggie Gomes, Secretary, Santa Cruz Education and Action Movement (SCREAM)
[Goanet] For Kind Favour of Publication
SANTA CRUZ EDUCATION and ACTION MOVEMENT (SCREAM) Mark Mansion, St. Augustine Vaddo, Santa Cruz, Goa – 403005 Dt. 26th.January 2014 *For Kind Favour of Publication* The recent tragic death of 4 workers in the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of a hotel in Santa Cruz could have been avoided, had a Sewage Pipeline (SP) been laid in the village. The menace of overflowing septic tanks and soak pits was pointed out at a Gram Sabha held in October 2012. However, since nothing much was done to resolve the problem, SCREAM proposed at a Gram Sabha held on 24th.November 2013, that a SP be laid in the village on a priority basis. The proposal was unanimously approved and a Resolution was passed accordingly, It was explained by SCREAM, that the proposed SP could be connected to the existing underutilized Panaji STP, via the Taleigao SP (presently under construction). It was also said that a survey plan to install such a SP from Santa Cruz to the Tonca STP via the Taleigao SP, was already carried out and was available with the PWD Chief Engineer. Besides, a former Sarpanch informed that the local MLA was already in the process of preparing a plan to lay a SP in the village, which would soon be submitted to the government. The advantage of having a SP is that it eliminates the severe pollution caused by septic tanks, STPs and soak pits, whose effluents, combined with toilet cleaning chemicals such as Phenyl and deodorants, gradually seep into the ground water table. This water ultimately pollutes the ponds, lakes, agriculture fields and wells, most of which have now become unfit for human consumption. Worse still, it has also been observed that raw sewage water was sometimes directly released into the fields and drains. History tells us that in the 1760s, the entire population of Old Goa, the then flourishing capital city of Portuguese Goa, was decimated, due to a lack of proper sanitation infrastructure, resulting in a huge manifestation of rats, and ultimately, the spread of plague. Though such a situation has not yet reached similar proportions, yet it is surely heading that way, primarily with spread of malaria & dengue. The upper hill region of our village has become a huge settlement area, which will again overload our primitive sewage disposal system and consequently affect the ground water table. Unless we take a cue from the harsh lessons recorded in history, we will be doomed to face a similar disaster that befell Old Goa. It is therefore imperative that the constitutional authorities immediately implement the Gram Sabha Resolution for a SP in our village, to save our heritage village from imminent disaster. Peter Gonsalves/President. Mob.9422635773 Shailesh Pai/ Vice President. Mob.9622147088 Reggie Gomes/Secretary. Mob.9423883177
[Goanet] Chief Minister of Maharashtra (India): Release Ferreira, he's innocent!
Hey, I just signed the petition "Chief Minister of Maharashtra (India): Release Ferreira, he's innocent!" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name. Our goal is to reach 1,000 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here: http://www.change.org/petitions/chief-minister-of-maharashtra-india-release-ferreira-hes-innocent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition Thanks! Reggie
[Goanet] Light A Candle With SocialKonnekt And Pray For Japan
Hi goanet , I just light a candle for Japan Victims. Join us to pray for those who have lost their lives and hope for the best for those who have survived. It is time to light a candle and Pray... Please Light a Candle Now at: http://www.socialkonnekt.com/Tsunami/ Warm Regards, Reggie Gomes
[Goanet] RTI Workshop
UNITY A Federation of Voluntary Organisations in Goa Regd. Office: El Shaddai House, Socol Vaddo, Assagao, Bardez, Goa – 403507 Soc. Reg. No.:711/Goa/2007 7th. August 2010 Dear Friends, UNITY, in collaboration with the V. M. Salgaoncar College of Law, Miramar, is holding a half-day Workshop for secular and democratic NGOs, Civil Society Organisations, Social Action Groups and committed citizens, on the Right to Information Act, 2005. The workshop, entitled “Right to Information Act, 2005 – Empowering People of Goa”, will be held on Saturday, 21st. August 2010, from 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at the Conference Hall of the College. Resource persons from the College Staff will enlighten us on the subject, with the help of Power Point presentations and resounding songs composed on the RTI. A leaflet, giving the highlights of the RTI Act, 2005, is attached. We would like to invite you and members of your organisation, as well as other interested individuals, for the Workshop. There will be a Registration Fee of Rs.30/- per participant, to be submitted at the time of Registration. This amount will help to defray the expenses for the resource and writing materials, and for the tea & snacks. However, if you would like to make a larger contribution, you are most welcome to do so. As the number of participants for the Workshop is restricted to 50 only, you are requested to confirm the number of participants attending the Workshop, before 16th. August 2010, either by phone or by email (given below). Please inform your contacts about this Workshop. Kindly do not proceed for the Workshop, until your application is confirmed by us. Awaiting your response and warm regards. Ms. Farida D’Silva Dias Mr. Reggie Gomes. President, UNITY. Secretary, UNITY. To confirm participation, kindly contact: Clifford: Mobile No. – 9822131992; Off:6647704 Email:jeevancommun...@gmail.com Reggie: Mobile No. - 9423883177 Email: reggiego...@bsnl.in
Re: [Goanet] Goanet Digest, Vol 2, Issue 631
Bing's email id is <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reggie -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/attachments/20070729/30d908b1/attachment.html
[Goanet] HIV/AIDS: Announcement of Training Programme
http://www.GOANET.org This month's Goanet operations sponsored by an Anonymous Donor Dear Friends, Warm Greetings ! We wish to announce that there will be a 1-day Training Programme for health workers and other concerned persons, in order to sharpen and enhance the skills and knowledge in care and support of People Living with HIV/AIDS. This programme is being jointly organised by UNITY - A Federation of NGOs in Goa, in collaboration with CANA India and Viva Network India, which have been working with NGOs involved in HIV/AIDS concerns. Due to the generosity of the collaborating organisations, who have agreed to bear the expenses for the programme, there will be no charges/fees for participants of the programme. We would like to invite you for this Training Programme to be held on 20th. April 2007 at Caritas Hall, Santa Inez, Panjim, Goa. It will be in English, though translation in Konkani will be provided, if needed. You are requested to kindly let us know about your participation at the Training Programme, by 5th. April '07. Details of the programme will be informed, after hearing from you. We also request you to share this announcement of the Training Programme with other interested persons. Looking forward to your participation in this capacity-building initiative. Yours sincerely, Reggie Gomes. /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Reggie Gomes, Hon. Executive Secretary, UNITY - A Federation of Voluntary Organisations in Goa, Mark Mansion, F-1, St. Augustine Vaddo, Santa Cruz, Goa - 403005, India. Ph. No.2448952. Mob:9423883177. Email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
[Goanet] Statement of the Church & NGOs on pre-marital mandatory testing for HIV/AIDS
Dear Friends, Please find for your perusal, the attached Consultation Statement of the Church and NGOs in Goa, on pre-nuptial mandatory testing for HIV-AIDS. The Consultation was held on 18th. November 2006 in Panjim, Goa. Regards, Reggie Gomes. /_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Mr. Reggie Gomes, Governing Body Member Positive People, Maithili Apts., St. Inez, Panjim, Goa - 403001, India. Mobile: 9423883177. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] STATEMENT OF THE CHURCH AND NGOs ON PROPOSED GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION ON HIV/AIDS MANDATORY TESTING CONSENSUS OPINION * Any incoming legislation should make mandatory pre-nuptial counseling / pre-nuptial preparation rather than make mandatory pre-nuptial testing for HIV/AIDS. * Such mandatory pre-nuptial counseling/preparation should be all encompassing and include counseling with regard to HIV/AIDS, STDs/STIs , NUTRITION, HYGIENE, FAMILY PLANNING, CHILD WELFARE, BREAST-FEEDING AND IMMUNIZATION BACKGROUND New infections of HIV+ cases are being detected daily in Goa and the number seems to be growing steadily. The estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV/AIDS) in Goa according to Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) Report 2005-2006 is around 12,000 with around 900 new infections per year. To check this growth the Government of Goa is proposing to introduce a legislation in the forth coming session of the Goa Assembly which will make pre-nuptial HIV/AIDS testing mandatory for the couples intending to marry. 1 THE CHURCH IN INDIA AND ITS ROLE The Church in India is deeply concerned about the increasing rate of HIV infection and she has been intensely mobilizing her resources to curb its further spread, joining hands with like-minded groups and even people of goodwill. In her HIV/AIDS policy document which was released last year, the church's approach to the problem of HIV/AIDS is guided by an all-round view of the human person as someone created in the image and likeness of God and endowed with dignity and inalienable human rights. She is, therefore, committed to provide prevention education to all, especially the youth and the vulnerable, so that they can make informed, responsible and meaningful choices that will protect them from being infected with HIV/AIDS. THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE CHURCH IN GOA The Church in Goa through her various Bodies has already taken measures for an extensive education of the society at large. She has brought awareness on HIV/AIDS through its organized programmes for school children, teens, youth and the general public. She has also established shelters for HIV and AIDS patients. For the last four years, she has been bringing awareness on HIV/AIDS to the engaged couples preparing to get married, and this has borne fruit as number of couples have voluntarily opted to go for HIV testing as part of their marriage preparation. THE CONSULTATION DONE BY THE CHURCH REGARDING MANDATORY HIV/AIDS TESTING Now, in view of the proposed legislation of the State Government to make HIV/AIDS testing mandatory before marriage - and keeping in mind that even the best intended actions ineffective, the Church in Goa has consulted a number of NGOs, individuals working with different Organizations, as well as experts in Medicine, Morals, Law and Sociology, to analyze the various implications and consequences, if such legislation comes in force. As part of these wide ranging consultations, on the 18th of November 2006, representatives of the Catholic Church and NGOs working in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention came together to deliberate on the proposed legislation of pre-nuptial HIV/AIDS mandatory testing in Goa. 2 Following a detailed and scientific discussion and after sharing experiences of those working with people at risk of HIV/AIDS and also those suffering from HIV/AIDS, a consensus opinion was arrived at by all present to oppose the Government's proposal for mandatory pre-nuptial HIV/AIDS testing. Primary importance was given to the following facts: 1. Global and National Agencies such as WHO, UNAIDS, NACO and Scientists and Epidemiologists with a wealth of scientific, financial and infrastructural expertise have all unanimously denounced mandatory testing. It remains the considered opinion of these knowledgeable Bodies that education, awareness and voluntary testing is the way forward to combat this disease. 2. Goa is not the first place in the world to consider such legislation. Pre-nuptial mandatory HIV/AIDS testing has been tried, tested and rapidly discarded in many parts of the world, often with better financial, organizational and infrastructural capabilities when compared to the State of Goa. Foremost in this list are countries such as USA and China. Despite the above, the Government appears determined to re-invent the wheel that does not work, and the cost of which would be borne by the taxpayers. In arriv
