The Goan: What arethe issues currently faced by the constituents of Aldona?
Aldrin Fernandes:The issues faced are innumerable. First of all, the government has ignoredAldona in a big way. Other than the infrequent tarring of the roads andbuilding the Calvim bridge, no infrastructural development has been initiatedby the government. The Khorjuem fort is in ruins. Everything, right from schools to theelectric terminals was donated by the Communidade. We have them to thank forany development here. I pay taxes, where does the money go?
TG: What about theissue of the playground that has been acquired by the Panchayat?
AF: It’s verysimple. There are four grounds, all cultivable, within a radius of onekilometer in Aldona. One of them has been acquired for the primary school as aplayground. To begin with, that ground is four kilometres away from any of theschools which have 70 students on their roll. What is the point of having aplayground that far? The Quitula ground was donated by the Communidade to the Panchayatin 1983, supposedly for the youth. The SAG does not allow the youth of thevillage to play there.
TG: is there anythingyou have to say about the diversion of the bypass and the road that has beenmade instead?
AF: That road isa sour point for all of us here. First of all there was supposed to be a bypassbuilt on stilts that would have solved all our issues and saved some of thewater bodies as well. But now there is a road that is passing through insteadand the water bodies have been turned into roads for personal gain. Theregional plan shows many of these as settlement zones.
TG: Are there anyconcerns about this village that are not as pressing that you would like toshare?
AF: Aldona wasonce known for its agricultural prowess in onions and chillies. We were famousfor it. Now agriculture is dying. There are barely three families thatcultivate chillies and no support is provided to the farmers. There are plentyof illegal houses, constructions and not much thought is put into constructions,even when they are legal. Aldona has a long way to go in terms of development.We can only hope for better now.
