STOP ALL MEGA HOUSING PROJECTS INCLUDING CANSAULIM (By Nitin Kamat)

On Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:47:02 +0530 wrote
STOP ALL MEGA HOUSING PROJECTS INCLUDING CANSAULIM All housing projects including the one in Cansaulim-Arossim village need to be stopped and construction licences immediately revoked. These projects are against Goan interests and do not benefit Goenkars in any way. Wherever construction licences are obtained by deceit or illegally means by circumventing legal processes or by producing false master plans, these need to be investigated and the credentials of such people involved needs to be scrutinised strictly by the law enforcing agencies and courts via suo moto hearings and fast track courts to ensure that not only the common man avoids unnecessary hardships but also to allow the justice system to prevail and inspire. This will restore the confidence of people in the power of courts in these difficult times which are ruled and manipulated by corrupt and tainted representatives and bureaucracy. The fact that there are manipulations and widespread intimidation to people fighting for justice demonstrates their hidden agenda behind these mega housing projects and hence it is left to us We the people to scrap such projects permanently which are nothing but detrimental the peace and prosperity of Goans. Now a days a lot of such infamous projects have come to light which have been approved by gross violations and illegal plans in collusion of our elected representatives. Their determination to go against the wishes of the people implicates them of widespread corruption and wrong doing. Today a great tragedy has come to us in the form of these projects which are raising their ugly heads, and we need to meet them with the best that is in our state, with courage and concern for others because this is Goa . This is who we are true Goenkars. Goans must not ignore the threat gathering against us namely the grabbing of our ancestral land by the outsiders and imminent danger of leaving us without an identity in our own land. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, of being left out on the streets and outsiders occupying our homes and villages. The mega housing projects will house mostly non-Goans of the rich and famous from their vast accumulated and unaccounted wealth thereby changing the demography of the state whereas such housing cannot be afforded by most Goans, thanks to the bad governance and lack of vision of elected representatives to tackle problems of unemployment, poverty and education which has resulted in poor people getting more poorer and the rich getting more richer. This has also compounded their divide and rule policies and won them the loyalities of many Goans who are helpless due to poverty and lack of employment avenues. Goans also need to be careful of the type of people coming and settling in our neighbourhoods especially when hard core terrorists like Headley and Rana have hoodwinked our intelligence agencies and sneaked in our country for organising terrorist missions. They have been successful in masquerading and changing names and passports which caught the attention of the sleeping agencies too late after so many tragic incidents. Since most Goans will not be able to afford to stay in these housings it will be difficult to keep an eye on such anti social elements and with the instances of builders like Abobakr Sheik, the one constructing the housing project in Cansaulim, being hell bent on driving the Goans out of their land, the consequences of ignoring antisocial elements in our vicinity will be catastrophic. Goa will not be able to bear another form of 26/11 claiming innocent lives. We are accountable to our children and our grandchildren. We should not be like our elected MLAs and bureaucrats without any accountability. We have a duty, a duty to protect our identity, our land and hand it over to our future generations. Today even the most advanced countries are reinventing their immigration laws worldwide to safeguard the interest of their land. There is a lot of slander being propagated that only Catholics are making a noise and are against these developments. Being a non-Catholic, I am also opposing the unfavourable housing mega developments along with other affected people who also belong to my religion of Hinduism. Therefore can anyone say that I'm a Catholic just because majority of the people in my group fighting this injustice have their roots linked to Christianity? Not at all. However everyone will do agree that we are ethnic Goans opposing the wrong actions and demonstrating with democratic and peaceful means. And when we say Goans we remain as true Goans fighting the divisive and corrupt regimes irrespective of our religion or status in society. And so politicians indulge in slander and malicious campaigns to divide and rule Goans. They use such tools for their survival and to accumulate vast wealth in seeking commissions from controversial projects. Can each of the elected MLAs and panchayat members make their stand clear in public about their support for the various housing projects? Can they prove their clean image and do they have the integrity and values to distinguish themselves publicly whether they are with the Goan people or are against them? Now that I am also opposing the unfavourable housing mega developments, I am not counting myself as a Hindu but as a patriotic Goan seeking a better future for Goa and its ethnic Goans. And when we say Goans we remain as true Goans fighting the divisive and corrupt regimes irrespective of our religion or status in society. Any government that supports, protects or harbours these monsorities is complicit in the destruction of Goans and their identity. We need to send a clear signal this time to the 40 cheats and thieves that we will not blink in the face of danger, and will not tire when it comes to upholding the interests of Goans. They ought to be shown the door in the coming elections and new faces with integrity, professionalism and accountability should need to be given a chance to Save Goa. We cannot accept ourselves being stooges for the rest of our life nor should we remain second class citizens since we are educated and know what is in best interest of us and Goa. We need to choose our destiny and it is our choice to choose a better welfare and a better future than allowing corrupt elected representatives to dictate our destiny and jeopardise our well being by enforcing unfavourable mega housing projects. And in these trying times, the most solemn duty of any true Goan is to protect Goa and its identity. The action we take and the decisions we make in this decade will have consequences far into this century. If Goans shows weakness and uncertainty or division now, Goa will drift toward tragedy. The fight has started and hence we Goans need to move forward. Just as a army of soldiers marches in the forward direction for a victory never to turn back and we having taken the first initial steps to weed out high level corruption, our fight also should be in the forward direction without being demoralised at any point of time. No one goes to a battle field if victory is not certain and no one will come forward to fight where they cannot win. The fact that we see so many people coming forward from different parts of Goa and united in fighting the unfavorable housing projects shows that victory is certain against the corrupt and tainted and as usual in the end truth will always prevail. All that is needed unity and our true leadership lies in bringing people together and using all the democratic means to see justice triumph. Our motivation and inspiration should be our legal justice system and just to name a few are the best examples of bail being denied to high profile mice who were evading the law enforcing agencies and that some determined activists have got some victory in the courts, in their fight against the destructive Monstrocities and high court directions to stop issuing construction licenses to multi-dwelling units in the beautiful Colva Village. The time has come to put an end to all wrong doings and say to our selves Enough is Enough. Viva Goa.
Yours Truly Nitin KamatVia Email.--

Goa – Answer Within

We blame politicians who are looting/destroying Goa, its land, environment & Identity. But with all due respect, let’s first look within to see the major causes of the same. (1) Who has voted for corrupt MLA's (2) Don't we ourselves support corruption & unethical democratic methods; I appreciate that sometimes we are forced to, but surely this can be avoided in many cases (3) How many ask illegal favors from Corrupt MLA's and then become their slaves for life; what we do for selfish reasons will ultimately destroy ALL of us. Also, what we do illegally will come back to haunts us, in some form or the other (4) How many of us Glorify various Corrupt Politicians at various events in Goa/Overseas for obvious reasons; knowing that they are the biggest destructors of Goa & our Identity; even if do invite them, how many do let these politicians know, of the our concerns on Goa (5) Taking the Catholic perspective (it is the same for other religions), we pray, fast, try to portray ourselves as good Catholics, try to teach our children right from wrong etc and then in hypocrisy, our actual thinking/actions does the opposite and we set bad examples; aren’t we supposed to show by example? Granted many Goans are handicapped by illegalities in the past and Corrupt Politicians use these, as points to intimidate/checkmate genuine concerns for Goa; point is that tomorrow can be a New Beginning and we can change; first ourselves and then everything else will follow. We could have made mistakes in the past but we can always stop/avoid this going forward and help Goa/Goans go for the better!! The Answer is obvious and the choice/decision is finally with each one of us!!

Arwin Mesquita (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Reduce Goan Political Hyprocrisy (Kuwait Goan Example)

The recent widely publicized rivalry among mainly Kuwait Goans leaders/members in Kuwait Goan Association(s) has prompted me share my views, on some negatives of our Goan Mentality. Just to re-iterate 2 POINTS : (A) I am NOT supporting or opposing any particular person or group of people (B) This is just an example of Kuwait but the same negatives can be seen amongst Goans (many but perhaps not all) in other countries and in GOA itself.


My observation is at the Higher Level as an independent observer i.e.:
I understand that the loud noise from Kuwait was on financial allegations & wrong-doings by Goans as leaders/members of Goan Association(s). Which begs the question....? Why was there not an EVEN LOUDER noise when the most corrupt & tainted MLA's/ Ministers were on a well publicized/sponsored visit in Kuwait recently, and these so called Heroes, were dined & facilitated by many/specific Kuwait Goans; who are members/leaders of Goan Associations?

These MLA's are well known for their Anti-Goan Policies e.g. SEZ's, Mega Projects, Destructive Mining, Selling Jobs etc all in the objective of realizing huge amounts of illegitimate incomes; Surely the Astronomical Incomes by these MLA's makes any other Goan Financial Scandals Overseas, a "petty issue" in huge comparison? These Specific Politicians are primarily responsible today for Selling Goa to Outsiders, Forcing Goans to migrate due to (A) their compliance with corruption, (B) Faulty Employment polices favoring Outsiders (3) Asking for huge kick backs even for even genuine projects etc but strangely all this appears to be tolerated. If at all Goans are genuinely opposing financial and related wrong doings, why are these tainted politicians who are committing even bigger wrong doings being spared?

It is high time that we Goans reduce our Political Hypocrisy. Many have all the time to have our "petty" fights in Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and elsewhere; but are too hesitant to spend our precious time/energy/resources where it really matters; and to fight the real/bigger enemies of Goa & Goans!!
Arwin Mesquita (UAE)

Alternative to Violence

The recent incident at Porvorim Secretariat by the Village Groups needs to be viewed carefully by Goans. Let’s not believe the Deceitful/Corrupt Goa Government, as they are only too keen to tarnish genuine protestors, so as to continue with the destruction of Goa for personal gains. Anyway on the topic of Violence, it is definitely wrong, but we need to find an alternative not only to Violence but for argument sake, an alternative to peaceful means as well. We see a common statement around the World and India in a particular, where Governments ask to renounce violence and ask for peaceful ways to solve issues (including dialogue), but in many cases activists are forced into violence after trying desperately via peaceful manner and dialogue? See the Goa Scenario, our current Chief Minister and most of the Ministers never keep their promises, manipulate facts/situations, constantly sabotage genuine action for Goa, intimidate activist by abuse of the machinery including Quasi Judicial bodies, Police etc Court Cases are taking too long to deliver justice; and is a classic case of Justice delayed Justice Denied. So may I ask again, what alternative can we give to these activists who are being checkmated at every point? Democracy is being abused via migrant vote banks, communal basis, ignorant & gullible voters. Again, I am not advocating the Violence option but am only asking if there is another option, other than the violent & the peaceful one; the latter which obviously not working in Goa? Needless to say these activists are not fighting for only themselves, but for all of Goa and Goan; from the Anti-Goans!! Arwin Mesquita (UAE)

Celebrating Goa's Ministers

I am as guilty as many of my other Goan Colleagues; as I was part of associations celebrating Goa's Corrupt Ministers, a few years back. But I have come to my senses and hope that my fellow Goans, would do the same as well. Goans are honoring Goan Ministers in Canada, USA, Europe, Gulf, Goa etc and I really need to ask the question; Why? Are we honoring the very people who are responsible for the sorry state of affairs Goa is in today. These corrupt MLA's that we are honoring, have and are today actually seriously damaging Goa, its land, its Identity and are continuing to do so with all of our blessings. Following are some facts which these MLA's or Ministers are guilty of; on some or all of them:(1) Using the Konkani movement to enter Politics and then using Power to gain illegitimate wealth and pull in respective family members into politics and further damage Goa & Its Identity; what is the status of Konkani today?(2) Liaising with powerful Non-Goan companies to sell of Goan Land or bring in un-wanted mega-projects e.g. in Carmona. And these very people had hypocritically floated political parties to Save Goa!!(3) Supporting Migrant vote-banks, issuing ration cards to migrants and supporting Parties that encourage migrant vote-banks; leaving no stone un-turned to gain as much power & wealth as possible.(4) Excessive Corruption, Faulty Employment & Industrial policies done mainly in personal monetary interests, forcing Goans to go overseas; and many of these Overseas Goans ironically reciprocate by honoring them?(5) Illegal Land Conversions, Hill-cutting, filling of fields, contamination of land & water etc(6) Using scarce taxpayer’s money for their selfish exploits with absolutely no accountability; then use a small percentage of their loot for bags of rice, sugar, alcohol, meals etc so as to buy off gullible voters!! Surely the above are only some facts and there are much more. So again, I really would like to know why Goans are celebrating these people; who if allowed to continue, will spell doom for our beautiful land & our prized identity!! Many Overseas Goans in particular complain, that they are too far away to do anything for Goa; well then please at least stop honoring/entertaining the very people who are destroying Goa & Goans. Let them know that they are not our heroes but are actually the enemies of Goa & Goans!! Arwin Mesquita (UAE)

Migration: towards meeting disturbing situation to Goan topography & identity

Migration: towards meeting disturbing situation to Goan topography and identity
http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Migration-towards-meeting-disturbing-situation-to-Goan-topography-and-identity/36659.html
BY JUINO DE SOUZA
Migration: towards meeting disturbing situation to Goan topography and identityBY JUINO DE SOUZAGoa is the most beautiful State in the whole planet and for hundreds of years migration has been taking place. Earlier, during the Portuguese regime because of poor economic development, there was outward migration where sons and daughters of Goa were moving outside mainly and venturing to all places in the world. Today Goans can be found almost everywhere contributing in countless ways to the societies of which they are now an integral part.Meanwhile, back home currently a reverse inward migration is taking place mainly because of the economic success and peaceful environment as well as the beauty of Goa which has been transformed into a magnet attracting migrants. All types of people from India and abroad including the rich, middle class, business class, labour class and others are flocking to Goa in large numbers and are becoming an essential part of our State.All theories of migration concede that migration occurs when the region of origin lacks the opportunities which the destination promises. It is inherently a combination of pull and push factors. Variation in economic development, better facilities and environment is a primary motive and reason for migration to greener pastures.Immigration is a complex psychosocial phenomenon; it mobilises a multifaceted process of destabilisation/restabilisation, besides increase in migrant population also causes pressure on land and inequality of infrastructure.The question is: How do we address the issue of migration with respect to limited carrying capacity of a small state such as Goa? What if hordes of outside population keep converging in our small State of Goa with a view to settle down permanently? Can our limited resources and inadequate infrastructure hold such huge influx? How can such kind of population growth be sustained over the long term unless government programs a priority on instituting reforms?We don’t have a proper garbage disposal system nor do we have any worthwhile sewerage system, our public transport is in shambles and housing cost is unaffordable. Although many towns have been declared urban as per past census, yet vested interests do not allow urbanisation and which is why most of Goa falls under panchayat administration.Can we afford to convert Goa into another Mumbai where migrants are found sleeping, defecating and reproducing on the road? Can we allow Goa to switch into another slum such as Dharavi? It is five decades since Goa became free from Portuguese rule and achieved independence but how is this State of ours progressing sociologically?No doubt the economic rise has led to opening businesses from hardware to diamond shops which are all owned and operated by migrants, but what is the solution to the growing resentment of insiders against outsiders? How do we deal with the concern of Goan identity? What happens when non Goans who know nothing about Goan ethos and may end up winning elections and become rulers of this small state of Goa in future? It is definitely a worrying situation.Migration brings along with it many challenges and cannot be addressed unilaterally. We cannot take shelter of our constitution by saying that any Indian is free to travel and settle anywhere in India? Settling does not mean using the side of the road and footpath and encroaching private and public property and setting up slums and causing nuisance to taxpaying citizens? This our founding fathers had never imagined. There is a growing need for us to understand the opportunities and also the challenges posed by migration. We should not be fuelled by prejudice and instead our goal should be to harness the power of migration to help more people share in Goa’s prosperity. We must therefore have a stake in managing migration well and we must work together, united in purpose and united in action to expand that development potential.Migration can no longer be casually viewed by economists as the only beneficent process necessary to solve problems of growing labour demand. I would like to highlight three challenges that add to the urgency for action. One is the need to regulate migration. Take the case of labourers who migrate to Goa in search of jobs which they are denied in their native region. We make use of them to clean our gardens, build our houses, for carpentry, for odd jobs. When they don’t get jobs then for survival they take the easy route and indulge in thefts, burglary and even murders and which is why the crime graph in Goa is rising. There may be terrorist and naxalites entering Goa and which can pose a danger to the people of the state and in the absence of any control and regulations over them we don’t even know who they are? Therefore the state machinery must have a regulation in place and rules should be framed for compulsory screening and registration of all migrants entering Goa. Second we must strive to bring in some measures to control the excessive migrant influx as it is needed to ensure the welfare of Goan residents. We could even consider having a permit system. How many can we permit? Can it be done by restricting the number of industries from coming to Goa? Should the migrant be asked to go back once he has finished with his job? To obviate the fear that migrants may become future rulers can we consider disallowing migrants from voting in Goa? What if every employer is asked to take a sworn affidavit voluntarily from every migrant employee recruited that they will not enrol themselves as voters in the state of Goa? Such workers may be sanctioned leave so as to allow them to vote in their state of origin? All such measures may seem to be against the constitution yet we must find some practical remedies.Third, there are rich migrants who anyhow want to own a piece of land and are willing to pay any price for it. Almost all rich Indians and foreigners be they film stars, industrialists, traders and merchants own a second home in Goa and this is one of the reason why property prices in Goa are soaring and out of bounds for Goans. So can we stop such outsiders from buying properties through obtaining special status for Goa is what all should ponder.(The above is the text of a paper on Migration submitted at the seminar organised by the Goa Study Centre Group.)

Exploitation & Terrorism

The recent killings of security forces by Maoist Rebels must be condemned by all. However, we should also look at the root causes of this terrorism. Surely these could be actions by frustrated people in impoverished areas, who could have been possibly exploited by corrupt/selfish politicians and specific wealthy colleagues. Let’s look at the Goa analogy, where many powerful MLA's & their wealthy colleagues plunder/exploit the state and society at will, without any consequences. Also there are many cases in Goa, where genuine individuals fighting in a civilized manner for basic rights for themselves and their environment are targeted by the Government & corrupt MLA's, who use various means to intimidate, including the Police Machinery. Many times these individuals are also targeted at the behest of specific Wealthy people, who do not want anything to stand in the way of realising their greed. Quasi-Judicial Government bodies are controlled by powerful MLA's and the common man’s petitions/rights are not respected or defended. And all this is happening in the relatively high literate Goa; obviously the exploitation in other places of lower literacy is higher. We must appreciate that the people responsible for the massacre of the security forces are not only the Maoist Rebels but also respective powerfully corrupt politicians and specific wealthy individuals who have found loop holes in the Indian System to be basically invincible; so as to continue with the collection of their illegitimate wealth!!