People Speak
The Migrant Danger to Goa
by Rajan P. Parrikar
Inspired by the Socratic Method, I present my case below.
Q: Why are you against the migrant influx?
A: Goa is tiny, with a finite carrying capacity and we are already
saturated. The Goan population is extremely small compared to other
communities in India. We cannot withstand the current high inflow of
migrants. It will lead to severe civic, social and economic disturbance,
will obliterate our Goan Identity, will turn Goa into an unpleasant hovel
like other urban Indian areas.
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Gating communities
If the spectre of communism haunted Europe during the period of Karl Marx, a different kind of spectre,peopleâs activism at the village level, is tormenting real estate developers in the state. Four villages â Carmona, Benaulim, Siridao and Aldona â have independently arisen in recent weeks to question proposed mega-housing projects in their areas. Residents have formed action groups to voice their concern at unusually well-attended Gram Sabhas and other meetings, and compelling their village panchayats to take note of their apprehensions.
This kind of activism in these four villages has led a few conspiracy theorists to accuse some residents of âmanipulatingâ Gram Sabhas to oppose mega housing projects, even though the projects were âclearedâ with all the different statutory authorities. These critics conclude that the proponents of this kind of activism seek to use the Gram Sabha â which they say is a consultative body â to usurp the powers of the duly elected and therefore representative panchayat.
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Kudos to Carmona
Jose Cabral, Cortalim
The people of Carmona have to be congratulated for the stand they have taken against the housing project proposed by the Rahejas. One has seen on numerous occasions how the peoplesâ will has been subdued and their wishes bulldozed over by people with vested interests. Let the action of the Carmona villagers be an eye-opener for the rest of the villages in Goa. The need of the hour is to be vigilant, proactive and do what is best for your village and the state of Goa as a whole.
Save Goa from the mining lobby
Pravin Sabnis
Our mountains are being denuded and raped by mining. Yet, politicians and mine owners who have a vested interest in destroying Goa are complaining about the increase in taxes in the recent budget⦠What is appalling is that, a few journalists and editors have begun to crawl when asked to bend by their Mine-owner bosses. They are predicting *doom* if the mining lobby is touched by taxes.
It is very interesting to note that:
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Goa Regional Plan 2011 - Who is anti-development?
Solano Da Silva, Department of International Development,
Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford
On the 18th of December, concerned citizens of Goa gathered in Panaji in a collective show of solidarity protesting against the Goa Regional Plan 2011. Two aspects of plan 2011 raised the ire of the citizenry:
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Amcho ganv, amchojiv, salvar koria
Chandor shows us what developlnent from the grassroots really looks
by Rahul Goswami
The community of Chandor has made and delivered an emphatic statement. The 'Five Year People's Plan for the Sustainable Development of Chandor (2007-2012)' is a document whose importance cannot be overstated for Goa. A work-in-progress - for that is what it is - it contains the spIrit and confidence of a community in itself, awareness of its lo¬cation as a unit and of the desired future of that unit, and it shines with a sense of belief, enthusiasm and community soli¬darity. Chandor has gifted Goa a model of thought and intent, no less.
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Beyond The Regional Plan 2011
Averthanus L. DâSouza.
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan (Save Goa Campaign) can legitimately take pride in having forced the Rane Government to scrap the Regional Plan for Goa - 2011 as being anti-developmental, anti-ecological and anti-people. It is quite obvious
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Goa Learns about Planning
Averthanus L. DâSouza.
The Congress Government of Goa, under the week-kneed leadership of Pratapsing Rane has been forced to scrap the Regional Plan for Goa in 2011 under the determined pressure of the citizens spearheaded by the Goa Bachao Abhiyan. We all hope
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Speech by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão
delivered at a Civic Reception on 28th December 2006
Together with His Grace Most Rev. Raul Gonsalves, my Revered Predecessor, I have great joy in welcoming you this evening. This event here is becoming a regular feature when we meet to share friendship and also our concerns about Goa and its people, whom both you and we, as a Church, are committed to serve. There is no better occasion than the festive Season of Christmas to reaffirm and consolidate this relationship that exists between the Church and the State as well as Central Government authorities, between the Church and persons who actively serve the people of this State. Personally I very much welcome this opportunity to converse with you and also to be able to share with you some of my concerns as the Head of the Catholic Church in Goa.
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