the goan I network
MARGAO
It’s not uncommon to find activists, individually and collectively, acting as pressure groups around Salcete’s countryside,
highlighting public issues, at the village gram sabhas or taking to the streets with their grievances.
In fact, they led from the front on infamous agitations on the the Regional Plan, mega housing, mobile phone towers, pollution and degradation of environment et al.
A couple of these activists have taken the electoral plunge in the February 4 Assembly elections.
And, leading the pack is well-known Colva-based activist, Judith Almeida, besides Sidharth Karapurkar and Domnick Noronha. While Judith has thrown her in the Benaulim electoral ring as an Independent, taking on a host of political bigwigs, Karapurkar has embraced the Aam Admi Party to contest from Navelim constituency.
Domnick Noronha, who is a regular faces at NGO’s meeting, is Goa Su Raj Party nominee for the Velim seat.
Judith has been backed by local activists from Benaulim constituency and outside.
Almost all the activists under the banner of United for Mother Goa, besides local Forums and Associations, right from Cavelossim to Benaulim, Colva and Seraulim have thrown their weight behind what they often describe her as the iron lady.
On the other hand, Sidharth Karapurkar has been a popular figure in Navelim’s social-political field, fighting alongside farmers displaced by land acquisitions over the past decade.
A strong anti-Mopa activist, Karapurkar was one of the prominent members of the Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) that waged a battle against the Mopa airport, before he joined the Aam Admi Party.
Karapurkar’s Velim counterpart Domnick Noronha has been actively involved in his home village Dramapur-Sirlim against mobile towers and land fillings.
Incidentally, while only three activists have taking the electoral plunge, there are a couple of others, who have lent their support to contesting candidates.
In Cuncolim, Roney Dias, president of Rainbow Warriors have thrown his lot behind AAA CM’s candidate Elvis Gomes.
Similarly, activist Zarinha da Cunha has embraced the Goa Su Raj party and is actively managing the affairs of the regional outfit.
