MARGAO
Chalo Lohia Maidan, Margao. That’s the call given by as many as 80 organizations to the people of Goa to come in large numbers to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the historic Opinion Poll Day on January 16 and to set the tone on the agenda to protect the State for its people and for posterity.
The organizers have invited Opposition MLAs as well as Independent MLAs to join the people on the Opinion Poll day celebrations on the theme “Goenkar “ Ek Pavl Ekcharachem”. While no invite has gone to the ruling BJP MLAs, co-convenor of Goencho Ekvott, Capt. Viriato Fernandes said the people of Goa would wait to see how many of the BJP Ministers and MLAs would come and join the people at the Lohia Maidan on January 16.
At a joint media briefing, Convenor of Goencho Ekvott, Creson Antao said the state and its people are staring at a devastation that will be difficult for the future generations to fathom. “The unplanned, destruction projects, in the name of development has been wrecking havoc on the tine state, once considered the Pearl of the East”, he said.
Saying that various organizations have come under a common banner to commemorate Opinion Poll day at the Lohia Maidan on January 16 at 4 pm, Creson has appealed to the people from all over Goa, cutting across caste, creed, religion, and political affiliations to come to the Lohia Maida and participate in the celebrations and take a pledge to protect Goa for the future generations of Goa, including those who are yet to be born.
“The dream and hope that the people had after the liberation of Goa and more so after protecting the separate identity of Goa by rejecting the merger in 1967, seems faded or lost and a far cry from the protection that was promised from cultural invasion and slavery. Despite requests and protests from concerned citizens, environmentalists, various NGOs, social organizations, scientists, etc to save Goa from devastation due to the unplanned projects being forced on the state, the government of the day has refused to take note and bowed down to crony capitalists, falling prey to greed and corruption”, he asserted.
Addressing the media, Vikas Bhagat said the January 16 celebration at the Lohia Maidan will not only commemorate the historic Opinion Poll day, but also discuss and deliberate on the issues facing the state and its people. “We have approached the Opposition MLAs as well as the Independent MLAs to join in the celebrations”, he added.
Activist Olencio Simoes said the last few years have seen massive destruction and damage to the agricultural land, orchards, river fronts, hills, forest etc. “The attack on the state by land sharks from Canacona to Pernem and Bardez to Sattari has left deep scars on the once beautiful paradise. Be it the destructive and environmental projects like the double tracking meant for the transportation of coal, 400 KV transmission line, IIT at Shel-Melauli or anti-people projects like Nauxi Marina, Casino, fiefdom at Pernem, diversion of river Mhadei etc, the devastation has been unparalleled in the history of Goa”, Olencio said.
Capt. Viriatao Fernandes said the time has come to save Goa from destruction. He pointed out that the Goa government is under pressure from the crony capitalists, accusing the government for suppressing the movements with the help of the police force by foisting false cases. “All citizens should come and unite for Goa. The organizers have invited the opposition MLAs and Independent MLAs to join the people in charting out the course to protect and save Goa”, he added.
