Heritage building ‘Camara Municipal de Salcete’ to get a breadth of life. -- By Nisser Dias

Camara Municipal de Salcete in the old market at Margao a heritage building where history is engraved not in print and ink but in blood and bullets. This historic structure which was neglected for decades has got a new lease of life with the current Council body working out the modalities to take over the building from the private owners by compensating them and restoring it to its past glory.

A view of 'Camara' building in its present condition.

It is historic because the Portuguese rulers opened fire and killed innocent Goans to win elections.

On September 21, 1890 it was the day for Municipal elections under the erstwhile regime of the Portuguese rulers. Around 6000 voters from Margao and surrounding villages had come to Margao to cast their ballot.

The political parties in the fray were - Partido Indiano – a popular local outfit who held the reins of administration for many years and Partido Ultramarino – a party backed by the Portuguese who at any cost want to win the elections.

What was supposed to be peaceful election turned out to be a blood bath as Maj. Filipe Torres ordered to open fire on innocent people leaving 23 dead and few hundred injured.

Similar act was re-enacted 29 year later at Amritsar’s Jallianwalla Bagh in Punjab but by the British.

Former MMC chairperson, writer and author of ‘Soaring Spirit’ Valmiki Faleiro dedicated a chapter in his book to this building stating, “"Stately, by the standards when it was built in 1770, and elegant even until the mid-20th century, the old municipal building was constructed by the state with funds squeezed out of overtaxed Salcete gaunkaris (the municipal senate covered the entire taluka). The senado (senate) was formed in the year 1775. Margao was elevated to the status of a vila (town) on April 3, 1778. The civic body was raised to the status of a municipality in 1822-24."

Incidentaly the present council too has used the part funds allotted for burial grounds for acquiring this dilapidated heritage building from the original owners says ward councillor Glen Andrade. He further said that the previous council had resolved to demolish the building as it was unsafe but we have passed a resolution to buy it from the owner Alina Araujo Vaz and sent it to Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) for approval. “I worked very hard for it meeting the MLA and TCP minister several times over the issue to somehow make it possible to restore. Vijay Sardessai was keen in preserving the structure but question was how to generate the funds but he came up with the solutions and I am happy that in a couple of years the building will be restored to its originality.”

Faleiro in his books states that the south Goa taluka's municipal offices were housed in the rear part of the ground floor and the entire upper floor of the building.

The facade on the ground floor had six shops three on either side of the entrance porch.

The author also states that the old camara building was substantially renovated in 1873, it partly collapsed in 1897 and 1898. In April 1898, the offices of the Camara were shifted to a premises at a location which is now the new municipal market.

In 2009 with Savio Coutinho as the chairperson of  Margao Municipal Council had adopted a resolution to acquire and conserve the Camara building, on grounds that the building is of great heritage and historical importance.

But the last council under chairperson Arthur D’silva had listed it to be demolished given its dilapidated condition however senior citizens and heritage lovers raised a banner of protest because of which the proposal had to be dropped.

Fatorda MLA and minister for Archives and Archaeology Vijay Sardessai said, “In my opinion the issue has to be settled properly and the owners should get their dues for the property. Secondly I am working on a package to settle the tenants occupying the building and thirdly the experts will be roped in for its restoration which will be funded through Archives and Archaeology department.”

Valmiki Faleiro said, “the present municipal council, headed by an erudite and highly qualified professional, plans to acquire and restore the heritage building. For the first time, too, the local MLA Vijay Sardessai, has shown firm and unwavering commitment to heritage protection and conservation. This happily augurs well for the future of the historic building, which many had written off as irredeemable.

Chief minister demoralizes teachers on Teacher's Day. -- By Nisser Dias

The journey of every doctor, engineer, scientist, astronaut, technocrat, programmer, architect, accountant, analyst and all other professions begins under the watchful eyes of the most important person – Teacher.

And that is the reason ‘Teacher’s Day’ is celebrated in over hundred countries. The day is celebrated as a token of gratitude or appreciation for these architects of character who mould a child to be a man or a woman of substance, calibre or essence.

Sadly chief minister Manohar Parrikar who holds the Education portfolio too, turned this year’s Teacher’s Day on its head and made it a ‘Black Day’. Instead of addressing the teachers, he was urging the students to complain to him about teachers not answering their questions through emails.

How could a chief minister even think so loudly. Instead of asking the students to see things in a positive perspective he was instilling negative thoughts in the frail young minds making teachers vulnerable.

As an education minister it was his bounden duty to boost the morale of the teachers’ fraternity while urging them to reach higher goals and standards so their products (students) become the shining lights of Goa and this country.  But no, Parrikar speech was more like political rhetoric during election meetings, maybe a hangover from the recent conclusion of campaigning for bye-election, wherein he was the candidate.

In the back of his mind, he should have remembered that Goa is second in literacy rating in the country. Parrikar’s duty should have been to inspire, motivate, enthuse confidence in the teacher to achieve the first place in the country but sadly he was discouraging teachers and encouraging students to have a right over them.

He should have realized that behind every successful man and woman, there is an unsung hero – a teacher who silently enjoys tears of happiness when she sees her students succeed, but he was killing this concept.

One would expect from a chief minister that the teachers be asked for their inputs to improve the syllabus, to improve the standard of education and overall development of students, his advice should have been to urge experienced teachers to guide young teachers, his advice to young teachers should have been to learn from the vast experience in handling students from the older teachers, his advice should have been to be abreast of the fast growing technology, teaching and guiding methods.

More-over the chief minister’s advice should have been to be cautious of corporal punishment but he went off on a tangent putting the noose around the teacher’s necks and giving the other end to the students.

And why does the chief minister of a State need to intervene in such matters when there is a principal and headmaster/headmistress, PTA, deputy director and director of education. There are well set checks and balances which can handle issues in schools.

How can the chief minister even think of make such utterances to the students when he himself is burdened with key portfolios like finance, home, education besides others.

Nisser Dias

He should have asked the teachers ways and means to improve government run schools which are in shambles. He should be concerned and concentrate of revolutionizing the infrastructure in the government schools. These schools are run in ram shackled rooms where one teacher teaches two standards in the same room. These schools are where the roof is collapsing. These schools where there are no toilets and playgrounds. The list can be never ending. Successive governments have not anything about it, this is where his focus is required.  

Alas! It is rather a sorry state of affairs where the administration is run by rhetoric and false promises but not by deeds and action.

 

Lopsided lessons on freedom of expression does not impress anybody. -- By Nisser Dias

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar has a habit of only advising people but never accepting advise from others because of his ‘know it all attitude’.

Recently he was addressing the students of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Goa during the convocation ceremony at Ponda, wherein he said, “people talk about their right to freedom of expression, what about the duties, responsibilities and accountability”.

Was the chief minister giving a lecture in Civics? Does anywhere in the ‘Constitution of India’ freedom of expression is interspersed with duties, responsibilities and accountability? Parrikar should answer this first.

The biggest or rather chronic problem with this man is that he thinks only he knows everything and rest know nothing.

This man has to be told that this generation are responsible as they want to see their nation among the developed countries but are being mislead and manipulated by politicians.

The young are contributing in their own way towards the progress of Goa. Has Parrikar the politician failed to realize that Goa’s or India’s biggest enemy is the politician himself as they want to cling to power. Let him ask himself one simple question who leads youth to take up violence? Is it not the politician or political parties? How was Babri Masjid broken? Who lead the lakhs of youth. Have some of those young men from Goa who participated in it demolition not become politicians today?

It is the political class of people who have become insipid in their thoughts, words and deeds and are not allowing the young to take wheel and steer Goa to progress.

Secondly he was advising the graduating students to look beyond earning money and dedicate some years of their professional life for the development of the county.

Manohar Parrikar should first realize that as long as power hungry politicians continue in the political arena, continue with their corrupt practices, continue with their redundant ways of thinking, building bridges where bridges already exists so on and so forth the youth will have to get on with their lives.

He goes on to advise the young minds to give their two, three, five years to the people. Parrikar should recall what he told the press way back when he entered politics, he had said that he sought permission from his late wife to give him 10 years in public life. It is more than 24 years now but he is still dabbling in politics and does not want to make way for young blood. Infact the young blood that was infused in his place was forced to vacate and this man is advising the contrary. Have we all not seen and heard him telling one of Goa’s media channel in 2012 that it would be his last election but he contested again this year.

Can such a charlatan character who himself does not practice what he believes be allowed to preach graduating students? For me it is a complete no-no.

At the same time while chief minister was lecturing students in Ponda, his cabinet colleague Revenue minister Rohan Khante was also addressing students in Porvorim on the same topic of freedom of speech and expression during which he slashed out at NRI Goans for criticizing the government.

Khaunte must first understand that living standards of Goans here in Goa have risen due to the foreign currency NRIs have pumped into the State due to which the GDP has increased. NRIs have sought employment in other countries since successive governments could not and even now provide employment.

Revenue Minister Rohan
Khaunte

Take their criticism constructively as Goans in UK, US and Gulf regions are  experiencing the quality of education, health, transport and through their criticism trying to convince the government that it is high time Goans are provided such facilities. They are criticizing because politicians of all hues have become hard of hearing of the woes of the common-man. They are criticizing because just like us in Goa, NRIs are also convinced that the main aim of the politicians is to fill their pockets and coffers to last them a few generations.

Nisser Dias

The ruling dispensation in Goa is under fire and criticism is because of the manner in which they formed the government. Rohan took the support of the Congress to get re-elected and then for the sake of power jumped on the BJP bandwagon. His very elevation to the ministerial post is based on chicanery and falsehood but has the gall to lecture students on freedom of expression and target the NRI Goans.

It is said that one useless man is a shame, two of them is a law firm and three or more of useless men is a government. This is what Manohar Parrikar’s cabinet is all about.

What Goa does not need are more unemployed politicians to tell the young minds or young generation the difference between wrong or right.

If at all these politicians need to set an example for the students, they should first vacate their position from the high pedestal and earn a living just like the common man does and not rely on tax payers money to keep their hearth burning.

Conclusively we know our fundamental rights, our duties and responsibilities. And while all of us are accountable to the laws of the land, it is the politicians who are not or think they are above the law.

Transfer of Goa cases to Delhi NGT – an affront to justice – By Jose Maria Miranda

The decision of the MOEF to shift Goa cases from National Green Tribunal in Pune to Delhi has rubbed salt into the wounds of green activists in Goa, already exasperated with several cases they had to file in NGT. The irony is that, though bound to protect the beauty and environment of the State and the health and livelihood of its people, both the Central and State Governments themselves shamelessly are  trying to destroy them, sometimes in league with their associates like Adanis and Jindals.

So unfair and arbitrary was this decision of placing Goa, a Western State, under Delhi – with even Gujarat, closer to the national capital, continuing under Pune - that the Honourable Judges Nutan Sardesai and G. S. Patel, very commendably felt the need to take suo motu cognizance of this blatantly irrational and mischievous attempt of the Ministry of Environment and Forests to trouble and deprive justice to Goa’s selfless and dedicated activists. Justice Patel, who has very recently joined Goa Bench, is associated with many PILs on environmental issues and was the recipient of International Fellowship in Environmental Law in California.

With Goa, the smallest State, among two other giants, accounting for over 40% of cases under NGT Pune, it defies logic and common sense –obviously with our Governments having neither - to target Goa alone. The number of cases decided against the Government and still pending, is a tribute to Goans’ spiritedness but also a clear demonstration of how irresponsible the Government is in flouting environmental rules. However, undaunted by the thrashings it received from NGT, Pune or rather apprehensive of further setbacks to their autocratic behaviour, the shameless MOEF has now gone to the point of attempting derailment of justice and keeping it out of  people’s reach.

Among the many defeats the Government suffered at NGT Pune are the MOEF Circular dispensing with public hearing for MPT projects, which brought about the massive opposition to coal handling, the illegal dredging at Mormugao Harbour pompously inaugurated by the infamous Nitin Gadkari. The construction of a tower – cum restaurant in Colva in no development area, the Sernabatim road construction by cutting a sand dune, the development of Chapora Jetty, the Golf Course at Tiracol and several other violations of CRZ regulations at various places that it would be long to enumerate.

The discomfort of BJP Government with NGTs are on record, as the latter have been a thorn in their flesh, with several rulings going against the arbitrary and highly suspect decisions of these Governments, which, true to their national manifesto, had bluntly assured that “industrial growth would take precedence over environment protection”.

In New York, Prakash Jawadekar, then Minister of Environment & Forests, had stated that the focus of his government, was “lifting India’s masses above poverty through encouraging economic growth and not protecting environment”. The Environment Ministry, appointed in 2014 a high level Committee which recommended curtailing the powers of NGT. Anticipating public outcry, the government chose an indirect way of diluting NGT powers through the Finance Act 2017. It lowered the qualifications needed for appointment of Chairperson and members of NGT. Noted environmental lawyer, Ritwick Dutta commenting on the issue said: “The new qualifications have serious consequences and huge implications on the quality of leadership as well as independence of the NGT” adding that qualifications to become an expert or judicial member at NGT are also diluted, while giving greater bureaucratic control over the selection procedure. “Once the new rules are implemented, the NGT will be manned by people who neither are qualified nor possess the experience, training, vision and outlook to deal with complex environmental problems. In addition to the above handicap, the members of the NGT will not have the administrative as well as functional autonomy and will be ‘under’ the control of the very (Union Environment) Ministry whose decisions they are required to adjudicate upon. Public confidence is bound to be low on such an Institution,” Dutta stated. The term of office of a member which is 5 years is reduced to 3 years, despite SC direction that a five year term is required for members of the Tribunal. Other diluted provisions relate to salary and allowances of expert and judicial members of NGT, their removal from office and sanction of leave. These provisions are “draconian”, another SC lawyer commented.

It may be recalled that Manohar Parrikar had stated in Goa Assembly that   "NGT was stepping out of its jurisdiction and acting like a high court", that he could not afford to send his officers to NGT to attend the proceedings and requested the then MOEF, Jawadekar to streamline the Tribunal’s functioning. While dismissing the contempt petition filed against the CM, NGT, Pune, had, however passed strictures, saying: “The respondent should have chosen his words carefully in public speeches… have acted like a statesman and not as a popular leader since his position was that of a chief minister — the most important post in the state. We need not add anything further, so as to put a word of advice in this context, as we are hopeful that the respondent will take caution in future before criticizing any other pillar of the democracy,"  Parrikar had also called the NGT Pune ban on sand mining a case of “judicial overreach”.

It therefore seems certain that the highly ridiculous decision of transferring Goa cases to Delhi NGT was taken if not in connivance, at least with the consent of Goa Government and Goans irrespective of Party affiliation must take a serious note of this and join the fight against this gross injustice.

Can we be more sensible and less irresponsible on our roads? -- By Jose Maria Miranda

Years ago, I had written an article on this subject, titled “Goans most uncultured on roads”. My only purpose in choosing a harsh title was not as much to hurt my fellow Goans as it was to drive home and open our eyes to the hard and sad reality on Goa’s roads, which have turned into virtual grave yards for our young and not so young brothers and sisters. Years after my write up, change has only been for the worse.

A death a day in a State as small as ours, sometimes with more than one in a single day, is too much for us to take and cannot be acceptable in a civilized society, where utmost respect for human life is essential. It is extremely disturbing that a substantial number of people in Goa no longer die of old age or due to health ailments but in avoidable accidents and hundreds, if not thousands, languish in their homes and hospitals, often for no fault of theirs. We are heartlessly and mercilessly cutting short, apparently without any remorse, many precious and beautiful lives, some blooming buds, which might have been great assets to our society and particularly to their families.

The traffic scenario in Goa is chaotic.  Vehicle explosion is perhaps one the main reasons for accidents, but rash and reckless driving is surely the single principal cause of road mishaps. Restrictions on ownership of vehicles could have been a solution, but it will never happen being a good source of revenue. Cabinet meeting called to remedy a situation which has been prevailing for years and is only worsening by the day cannot produce any results unless there is sincerity of purpose. Putting the inefficient and incompetent Traffic Police and Transport personnel on the roads, to tame traffic violators,  is aimed only at collecting additional revenue – not a genuine attempt at curbing speed and recklessness, which are main causes of accidents but which merit the least attention from these authorities. Their regular presence on the roads may have some deterrent effect, but it will be for a short while and be restricted to certain areas only.

If there is seriousness in curbing accidents, the first priority must be immediate introduction of city buses, with reasonably priced tickets, to reduce the circulation of private vehicles in the city. Water transport - about which we hear in occasional and ever unfulfilled promises – and a rail link to Panjim will considerably reduce the pressure on our roads. But such steps may not even be considered due to pressures from the bus lobby and the losses that KTCL will incur.  

Immediate imposition and strict enforcement of speed limits on our roads, even in absence of gadgets to check them, would surely reduce major accidents. Stiff and merciless action against reckless driving/riding is needed so that motorists are aware that excessive speed will not be tolerated. The Police, which is always reluctant to tackle this problem, is already finding excuses of absence of gadgets to avoid dealing with such violators. Even noting down the vehicle No. and summoning the owner would prove a deterrent. Fixing speed governors to high powered cabs could also be given a thought. The Director General of Police, whose transfer to Goa was welcomed because of the efficiency with which he handled the traffic in Delhi, surely knows that crash helmets and seat belts, though essential, do not reduce accidents but only fatalities and that indiscipline and rashness are the main causes of accidents. This is unfortunately rarely curbed by his subordinates.

Much was expected from the DGP but little has been achieved.

Absence of traffic lights is another serious cause of accidents and pedestrian deaths. It obstructs safe pedestrian crossing due to continuous flow of traffic. Strange that even the capital city hardly has any and Margao has none. Doesn’t it speak enough of Government efficiency and sincerity, which would have spared many traffic personnel for patrolling and ensuring traffic discipline? Let us hope speed radars will soon make their appearance, as suggested by the Police, and this will hopefully put an end to the rule of criminal motorists.

Jose Maria Miranda

Castigating or blaming the Government and the Police will not help us reduce the pain and agony of our families, unless we ourselves behave responsibly on the roads and are sensitive enough to realize what it is to lose a loved one in an accident or to be deprived, permanently or temporarily, of the family’s only source of income. Have we ever spared a thought for such families we destroy by our negligence, road rage or arrogance in trying to display our affluence, power or position? With so many people dying in accidents does it behoove of us to continue driving or riding the way we do? Does the fact that the Police does not strictly enforce the law, entitle us to ignore or violate it and put at risk our own or other people’s lives? Has it ever struck us that the life of our victim could, at times, be more precious than our own, being the sole breadwinner of the family?

More than being critical of the enforcing authorities or my fellow riders and drivers, I wish to use these lines as an emotional appeal to them to just think of others, of the possible consequences of our thoughtless actions that can destroy one or more families or leave them in total penury. To the Traffic Police, my humble appeal is to be educators rather than prosecutors and ensure that the motorists fear the law, which is meant to protect their own and other people’s lives. This has gone for too long. It is time we join hands to reduce the pain and suffering of our fellow brethren.  

PROPRIETY OF NOCTURNAL SMARTNESS -- By Cleofato Almeida Coutinho

With the Congress on the downslide and the experiment of Arvind Kejrival on ethical and corruption free governance based on alternate politics fading away, fascist tendencies are mounting attack on democracy itself. As Narendra Modi marches on to have a Congress free ‘Bharat’, new grounds are set with a complete go bye by ‘the party with a difference’.

 In their endeavor to wipe out Congress from the political map, what happened in Utttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh a year back shall find place in the text books of the Constitution of India in case independent authors are permitted to have their say. Post 2017 election scenario in Goa and Manipur has dumped constitutional niceties into a deeper pit.

Take the Goa case - we are told the largest party leadership slept while the minority worked overtime at midnight in fixing the ‘deal’. Pamella Philipose has rightly summed up the present scenario, “an active lie needs a passive recipient. The credibility of the piece of information is in direct proportion to the willingness of the people to invest it with credibility..”.

The Goa governor laid to rest a convention well entrenched in India – that the single largest party gets the first invitation. Who reached the gates of Raj Bhavan first mattered the most. Congress ‘waited for an invite’ while the BJP ‘claimed an invite’. If Governments are formed that way, God save our democracy! The English convention that the ruling party losing majority cannot get the first shot at ministry making did not get the Governor’s approval. The people’s mandate was destroyed by subverting the will of the people and the midnight ‘deal’ became nocturnal smartness displayed as political virtue, worth being emulated by the generation next as political shrewdness. The way this nocturnal smartness was portrayed in the Rajya Sabha is actually an insult to the Goa psyche. The electorate was taken for a ride by the midnight ‘deal’.

In Manipur the politically smart took some time to lure 2 MLAs elected on a congress ticket to shift to ‘the party with a difference’ to give Manipur a BJP government. Changing party affiliations may be justified as a need to keep in tune with changing times. Vishvajeet Rane has done it in Goa but is it highly unacceptable that MLAs elected on a party ticket immediately shifts to the other side after elections. Same principle shall apply to the party brought   into being to drive out the BJP (as Congress was accused of incapable of that!).

Democracy is all about numbers and in a numbers game, it may look legitimate to get the numbers of the opponent depleted, but such maneuvering is not morally legitimate. But who is bothered about morals? Issues like principles, morals, ideology are to be reserved only for TV studios and of course edit pages. Goa had its own ups and downs in it’s democratic foray. In the 90s of the last century we were infamous for having very ‘brittle’ governments that collapsed for money and power. When late Wilfred D’ Souza marched to Raj Bhavan with Ratnakar Chopdekar and Shankar Bandekar both from MGP, despite MGP having majority, it was thought that the anti-defection law would take care of such deviant behaviour, but we made mince meat of the law.

The return of the rejected in 2017 is now explained away as political necessity. Political compulsion is the main disease afflicting the Indian political system much more that corruption in the body polity and administration. Dr. Ambedkar had referred to constitutional morality as “a paramount reverence for the forms of Constitution, enforcing obedience to the authority, acting under and with a habit of open speech, of action subject only through legal control”. A political party functions with certain shared beliefs and collective conscience. At election time the people get their chance to put their seal of approval/disapproval on those beliefs. Government formation must reflect those shared beliefs on which the people lay their trust. Manipulating public will is be a clear case of breach of trust, disloyalty undermining the very survival of cherish values of constitutionalism.

It may look stupid to talk of political morality in present times. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s times were over many decades back. What about propriety? Issues like majority and government formation have become play things in the hands of those who get elected. The deviant have changed the democratic fabric at their whims and fancies. It is the indecent pursuit of power that does not allow them maintain any semblance of propriety. Sacrifice is no long the rule of politics, it is self and the only aim is to be on the ruling side by whatever methods. It is wealth and power that has to be collected to be used at the next elections and for generation next.

 They have been succeeding for too long a time and have exploited the short public memory as a weapon to deal with public anger. They believe that the electorate can be managed by some small favours like arranging a job for someone or grant of a contract  out of turn or may be help someone get out of police clutches. In case you cannot manage that way, dazzle them with mega projects like a second bridge or a third one. If nothing works, buy them out! Our tolerance to such deviant behavior only confirms the decline of political standards and that has its own fallouts. We can never think of becoming a great state or a great country with such behavior by our elected.  Democratic credibility depends upon how democracy is practiced.  Fascism gets breeding ground when democratic institutions and democratic practices are at a low ebb.

 

 

Fears of a Totalitarian State are now looking real…-- By Jose Maria Miranda

Development is a word that always attracts us and rightly so, as it generally makes life simpler and easier for us and often also provides jobs or self-employment, particularly for our youth, who are otherwise constrained to move out in search of livelihood. However, it is imperative that such development be sustainable and not in any way destructive or beneficial only to selected few.

It is unfortunate that we are often selfishly concerned about development of our own constituency or surroundings, while least worried about damage caused somewhere else. In Goa, we cannot afford to overlook the substantial additional influx of migrants in a State already bursting at its seams, solely for creation of politicians’ votebanks or further demographic changes or steps detrimental to our environment. It is here that the views of the Government clash with those of the people – because unfortunately for our Governments, development means massive constructions and grandiose projects which would bring accounted and non-accounted revenue for the Government, its Ministers and bureaucrats and only minimal benefit to the people.

Keeping the people in the loop of Government plans and understanding their genuine problems and feelings are the essence of democracy and ought to be the tenets of a people friendly administration. However, almost every project of the Government or supported or promoted by it with an eye on the cuts it will get, runs into rough weather because either the people have not been taken into confidence or proper procedures have not been followed or are in contravention of established laws.

Where on earth does one see  Governments regularly flouting or subverting their own rules and regulations and going ahead with projects throwing to the winds all the laws, which they would normally insist on being implemented by private individuals? Why is the Government waving or making a mockery of Environment Impact Assessments on big projects? Is it not because it knows that they would hit a roadblock if proper EIAs are done? Are we not watching helplessly thousands of trees being felled for road widening, particularly in Salcete, while general directives of the Supreme Court to plant five times new saplings to offset the damage are not being followed? Does it cost much to thus protect our environment from possible adverse consequences?

Narendra Modi’s Government is in mighty hurry in going ahead with development in the country at any cost and at the fastest pace possible. There is nothing wrong in that, though environmental issues cannot be overlooked, just to please his industrialist friends. The consequences could be tragic, as have already been experienced by various States. People are not averse to development though they are, at times, oblivious of its possible unpleasant consequences. But they are now turning apprehensive that “development” and the so called “welfare of the poor”, which the Government so much brags about, are only a cover for the regressive and dictatorial policies this Government is indulging in , which only confirm the predicted fears that we are marching towards a totalitarian State. Modi’s Government record on transparency has been uninspiring and in fact abominable. Anonimity in political funding, delay in appointment of Lokpal, attempts at diluting both the Lokpal & the Whistle Blowers Protection Acts – these are yet to become operational, even after three years of being notified - proposed increase in fees for filing applications under RTI and charges for obtaining documents, Taxation Laws allowing search and seizure of properties by tax authorities and giving them sweeping powers to open cases as early as 1962 and much more that would be long to enumerate – are some of the steps this so-called “democratic” Government needs to be credited with.

Remarking on the failure of this Government in the appointment of Lokpal, the Supreme Court remarked that cleansing of economy “must be matched by strong steps to cleanse public life” and that the Lokpal Act cannot remain a “dead letter” The Taxation laws were surreptitiously introduced by Jatley in November last when the Lok Sabha was busy debating demonetization. They were passed recently in a hurry, without any discussion and did not have to go to RS, where NDA is in minority, as it was a money bill. The recent murder of a trader in Alwar, Rajasthan, beaten to death by “cow vigilantes” for transporting bovines – the 9^th ninth such murder in last three years, according to some TV channels – reported even by international Press, was shamefully denied by Union Minister Naqvi and is yet another example of how emboldened rowdies are getting in the present unruly and communal  set up.

Jose Maria Miranda

It is now only a question of time – once the BJP has the numbers in Rajya Sabha, there won’t be any looking back – even the Constitution may not be spared. The fanatic followers of BJP, whose interests seem to be mainly in the construction of Ram Mandir, establishment of Hindu Rashtra, beef ban and perhaps even prohibition, do not unfortunately anticipate what could be the possible consequences of having a dictatorship with draconian powers being exercised over everyone to stifle dissent and curb opposition. Goans must be given the credit of having rightly rejected the BJP, perhaps for these reasons, though the Party may still be ruling the State. Yet, my fellow Goans need to be cautious against being carried away by small acts and overgenerous with praises to some politicians’ abilities to perform, thus offsetting the credibility they lost for good reasons. While we need to appreciate such acts, let us not lose sight that such individuals are also well known for their ability to hoodwink people. They may strike when least expected…

An ode to the old rugged Cross. Collection of almost 2000 types of Crosses -- By Nisser Dias

Cross with Station of
Crosses

For Christians, the cross is a symbol of the atonement that reminds Christians of God's love in sacrificing his own son for humanity. It represents Jesus' victory over sin and death, since it is believed that through his death and resurrection he conquered death itself. Hence for Christian faith especially as the Lenten season comes to end, Cross place a significant role to portray the sufferings of Jesus as he was condemned to death on the cross.

Interestingly there are different styles of Cross’ like the ‘Y’, ‘X’, ‘T’, Mexican, Russian, Eithopian,  Anchor, St. Peter’s, St. Andrew, St. Thomas and many more. It would be even more interesting to realize that the only Cross Museum existing in India is based in Goa.

The man behind the museum is Maendra Joceline Araujo Alvares, more popularly known as the ‘The Big Foot’ man.

Maendra Joceline Araujo Alvares

In conversation with Maendra says that it is a accidental discovery that led to investigate, gather and collect crosses from all over the world. He claims that in 2004 he picked up an upside down cross which brought out the curiosity in the artist. On researching he found that it was called St. Peter Cross. It is believed that St. Peter was crucified upside down at his own request as he did not feel worthy to die the same way as Jesus. Similar is the story of St. Andrew Cross, he requested his executioners to alter the style of the cross and was crucified on a ‘X’cross.

St. Peter Cross

From then on there was no looking back and in a short time he says he had collected 100 different crosses in Goa itself. “In 2004 internet access was either limited or patchy hence I had to speak to priests like Fr. Savio Rodrigues, Fr. Levis Gomes or visit libraries for details.

In 2005 he and his family went on an European tour and picked up 400 different crosses. Same year he held his first exhibition at Casa Araujo Alvares, Loutolim of 500 crosses followed by exhibitions at Fundacao Oriente in Panjim, then in Pilar and at Old Goa, “this had its effect, family members, friends and even priests started gifting me various crosses, Fr. Ozzie gave 4 Ethiopian crosses, Archbishop of Lesaka T. G. Mpundu Zambia, South Africa, has contributed some crosses from Africa.

Part of the Cross Museum

In 2006 Maendra’s collection had touched 1548 crosses, “with so many crosses I decided to open a museum adjoining ‘Big Foot’. “It was like a blessing because at the time of the inaugurating the Museum ‘His Eminence’ Paul Cardinal Poupard, President of Pontifical, Commission of Culture, Vatican Rome happened to be in Goa and did the honours of inaugurating the museum”.

Mexican Cross

This museum has also made it to the record books of World Record India & World Amazing Record in 2012, India Book of Record also in 2012 and Limca Book of Records in 2013. “On display from 2006 are 1548 various crosses, since then I have collected another 300 more which are yet to be displayed”.

Brief descriptions of some crosses according to the book published by Maendra Alvares based upon his research titled ‘In Search…’

‘Y’ or the Forked cross:- The Bible states that Jesus was crucified on a tree, and it is from there we get this ‘Y’ shape. It is also called a Thief’s cross or Robber’s cross since it is believed that criminals in the Roman Judea were crucified on a Forked cross.

‘Papal Cross’:- The Papal Cross is the official emblem of the Catholic Papal office and is used only by the Pope. The 3 beams represent different things to different people, but some of the interpretations include: the Trinity, the three crosses on Calvary, the Pope’s religious authority in the Church, the world and Heaven.

‘Russian Cross’:- It is similar to the Papal cross, the only difference being the slanted lower beam. The slant beam at the foot signify that those on the right side of Christ will rise up into heaven and those on the left will slide down into held.

‘Anchor Cross’:- Also call the St. Clement’s Cross or Mariner’s Cross. Clement is the patron saint of the mariners, anchor smiths, blacksmith and others. When Christians were persecuted and forced underground, their emblem has often been the Anchor Cross. To the outside world, it is just an anchor but to Christians it is a camouflaged Latin cross to keep their faith firm.

Felicitation of Parrikar and Amit Shah by BJP in Goa is indeed celebration of ‘Death of Democracy’ – By Nisser Dias.

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar and BJP president Amit Shah were felicitated in Goa for the formation of the government in the State by cobbling up the numbers when people did not give the BJP the mandate to govern.



Today Goa Forward and BJP are partners in crime.
'Murder of Democracy'

Parrikar now says that he has not done anything immoral but democracy is all about numbers and he had the numbers while the congress did not. 

It is well known, but since public memory is short let me remind them, that Parrikar does not believe in democracy in the truest sense but moulds and interprets it the way he wants to believe it or wants people to believe it. Secondly he interprets the meaning of democracy in two different ways – differently while in the opposition and just the opposite when he attains power. People of Goa know his crooked ways.

In a nutshell in 2004 the man named Manohar Parrikar had murdered democracy when he tried to cling to power by reducing the numbers of the Opposition in Assembly to win the Confidence Motion by bodily lifting legislator Filipeneri Rodrigues. Such an act cannot be of a person who believes in the basic tenets of democracy. For such an undemocratic act, his government was rightly disqualified by then Governor S C Jamir.

Nitin Gadkari 'The Negotiator'

Just as it said that leopard never changes its spots, the autocratic and despotic chief minister of Goa also will not change his crooked ways and means.

If he was a decent man he would have stuck to his portfolio in the Union, but no, he wanted to have absolute power to roughshod Goans as if they are his subjects and slaves. As a Defence Minister in the Modi government, Parrikar was no more than a pawn, as ultimate power was concentrated in the hands of the Prime Minister. Hence he was feeling like a dog on a leash.

Secondly his performance as the Defence Minister was dismal for a person who is perceived to be intelligent. Parrikar was a figure-head defence minister, decision to buy fighter jets from France were taken by the Prime Minister.

While Manohar Parrikar was enjoying his weekend in Goa militants were attacking our army bases and our jawans were being killed. It looks like the first opportunity Modi got to snatch the Defence portfolio from Parrikar he grabbed it, relieved him in less than 24 hours and sent him packing to Goa to form the government. Looks like Modi new that treachery and chicanery were Parrikar’s forte.

The 'Conductor' orchestrated the death of democracy



Today the government in Goa is not very different from a prostitution den. Prior 2012, Manohar Parrikar did not miss an opportunity to point out acts of omission and commission of the politicians like Pandurang Madkaikar and Vishwajit Rane. Aarlier to that Parrikar had filed criminal cases against Mauvin Godinho in power scam. Last five years Parrikar and Vijay Sardessai were always at loggerheads with each other. Today these same individuals are either ministers or will soon be ministers in Parrikar cabinet. For them nothings matters as long as they have ‘power’ they know  bountiful fruits flow from it.

Vijay Sardessai- The 'Facilitator'

Between 2012 and 2014 Parrikar alleged that Vijay had constructed his house in a low-lying area, that he was a land dealer who sold land to outsiders. Today the same unscrupulous chief minister of Goa has made the Fatorda MLA as his Town and Country Planning minister. The ministry deals with land in Goa thus Manohar Parrikar trusts the skeletal remains of Goa’s land to the same man he called a ‘dalal’ and a ‘dealer’.

While in the opposition during the Congress rule, he had accused Vishwajit Rane of trying to give acres of land belonging to Goa Medical College to an Israeli company dealing in arms and ammunitions to set-up a hospital. Today,

Vishwajit Rane 'Turn-coat'

Manohar Parrikar has welcomed Rane in his party with wide arms with promises to make him the Health minister.

Again during his last tenure as chief minister he had exposed Pandurang Madkaikar for usurping land that was meant to be acquired for public purpose and today Madkaikar is the Power minister.

Mauvin Godinho is also to be made a minister. It is the same man Parrikar had filed criminal cases against for power scam.

Pandurang Madkaikar
'Power Hungry"

Mauvin Godinho 'The Chamelion'

Manohar Parrikar’s cabinet consists of individuals whom he had exposed for wrong-doings which indirectly means that he has chosen the most corrupt MLAs as his cabinet colleagues. Parrikar indeed is a man without any principles and morals, who has proved that he has sold his soul to cling to power so that his sins of commission and omission will not be exposed.

For more than ten years now Goa has been gang-raped by the same thieves in guise of politicians, the current dispensation will undoubtedly pull the plug to squeeze the life out of Goa for their selfish gains.

In his hunger to cling on to power Parrikar has accepted the tainted politicians from the Congress into his party-fold which indicates that he too cannot do without power so that he can dominate everyone and anyone.

'Salazar' of Goa

His latest targets are the journalists who refuse to tow his skewered line of thoughts and functioning. He not only refuses to answer pointed questions put to him, over and above abuses reporters. Just because he has the power and state machinery with him, he runs his wrath over the innocent hard working people but a day is not far, when Goans will say enough is enough of his despotic ways and show him his place.

So what is this felicitation of Parrikar, Union minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping and BJP president Amit Shah all about? It is nothing more than a celebration of ‘death of Democracy’ in Goa by these three individuals.

Pandurang -- has had you eating out of his hands for 45 years -- By Nisser Dias

Pandurang Atamaram Gawas is an unassuming man but he has seen the transformation of commercial city of Goa – Margao like no other just by standing with his bhelpuri handcart in front of the State Bank of India for 45 long years.

“State Bank of India was originally a residence given out on rent for the bank to start its services, but now what you see is different” he says.

Pandurang a native of Dodamarg – a bordering district of Maharastra crossed over to Goa when he was just 12 years old in the year 1967. Today he is 68 and for the last 45 years he has had Goans eating bhelpuri, shevpuri, pani-puri, ragdda pattis and pav bhaji out of his hands. Pandurang goes on to narrate his long journey from then to now. When he strayed into Goa he got employment at Mahadev Ashram eatery ‘khanavoll’ near Mandovi hotel.

After working there for four months he along with couple of other workers were lured by a businessman with higher salary and brought to Margao to work at Penguin hotel and ice cream parlour. Pandurang recollects at that time somewhere in 1967, nowhere in Goa could you find ice cream that could be cut and served like slices. His employer had already brought in people from Bombay to teach his workers how to prepare such ice cream. To his bad luck the employees formed an Union within two months of joining work in Margao. Immediately the owner sacked them from service. “It did not end there, the owner made sure we did get employment anywhere in the city, the moment we were engaged as waiters, the previous owner would send a word to the new employer that they would ruin his business by forming an union and we were sacked outright and since there were only a few hotels it was easy to keep tabs on us”.

He went to reminisce that for two years I worked on daily wages whenever work was available for mere Rs. 2 or sometimes Rs. 3. Other days when there was no work I use to eat at the house of my friends. Those days he recollects that nobody would refuse food.

Pandurang says that he used to sleep in a carpentry shop at Pedda, Margao. In 1971 the owner of the carpentry shop seeing him struggling to get work on daily basis built a hand-cart for him and told him to start bhel-puri.

Since then there was no looking back for Pandurang, “which ever theatre in Margao running a good movie, I used to be outside with my handcart selling bhel, shev, pani puri and after that come and park at the Municipal garden”. On Sunday, it was time to go to Colva at 3.00pm and come back to Margao at 7.00pm”.

“During those days I used to charge 10 paise for a plate of bhel, shev or pani puri and make Rs. 30 a month equivalent to the salary I used to get at the hotel”.

After some years, I asked to move from the side of Municipal garden to the present place as the authorities started doing the pavement on the periphery of it. And since then he is stationed at the same spot, “I bring my cart at 4.00pm and wind up by 9.00”. He goes on to add that from 10 paise today the price has gone up to Rs. 25 per plate of his savouries. “Some of my customers from 1971 not only patronize even their grand children do”.

Nisser Dias

Datta Gaundalkar on who grew up eating this evening delicacies, says, “my father used to bring us here 35 years ago and I continued to patronize it and I have introduced my children to it, I have stuck to Gawas because of good taste, I do not think the flavour or taste has changed since I started eating it”.

Retired teacher of the Fatima High School Nina Coutinho recollects that she was introduced to this stuff by her friend, “It is now 32 years that I have been eating Atamaram’s delicacies sometime even twice a week, he is like a family member to me”.

50 years old Sayyed Khalik says, “I first ate bhel from Gawas in 1980 as a 13 years old and till date of and on I relish his preparation. What is important is that he has managed to maintain the consistency of his taste for so many years”. “Besides Gawas too has remained the same man he  is – a man of few words but fast to laughter”.

Pandurang lost his wife Rukmini two years back and has two daughters and two sons who are employed at two establishments in Margao.