MARGAO
The Goa Forward Party has requested President of India Ram Nath Kovind to turn down Goa government’s invitation and avoid a visit to the state on December 19, saying “60 years later, the people of Goa are being forced to surrender to a new “coal-inization” under a government that claims to celebrate ‘liberation.’
In a letter addressed to the President, Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai pointed out that while Goa faces its social and economic challenges, the natural forests and its diverse living ecosystem are under threat.
“Goans today are unified in their voice to save Mollem, our unique biodiversity hotspot, from the consequential decision of the government to permit double-tracking through the sacred forests. The government claims that development through Goa’s lush forests would serve to benefit the people economically. However, what the government chooses to ignore is that numerous rural communities and villages of Goa stand to be evicted and destroyed all for the sake of commercial profit and greed,” he said.
Further asserting that Goa’s breathing air has begun to become polluted with coal dust, Sardesai said there have been numerous reports of children and the elderly falling severely sick due to constant indirect inhaling of the dangerous tiny coal particles.
He requested the President to consider the enormous amount of money being spent on the Liberation Day celebrations at a time when Goemkars are struggling with personal finances and their livelihood. “The economic ramifications of the pandemic have brought despair to the working class, and our eager young population whose hope for brighter career opportunities in their home state is starting to diminish. Yet this government felt it would be in the right spirit to celebrate this historic event, rather than to humbly commemorate the lives of our modern-day frontline heroes, who fight to save us and ‘liberate us’ from the Covid-19 pandemic,” he stated in his letter.
“Goa is a world-renowned tourist destination, rich with culture, heritage, natural beauty and resources. Over the past year, we have lost our mother, the Mhadei River, leaving the people of Goa thirsty and barren. Thus, in solidarity, with my Goan sisters and brothers, the Goa Forward Party and I have excused our participation in the upcoming celebrations for Goa’s Liberation Day.
This was a decision taken not out of disrespect, but rather on principle to stand on the right side, the people’s side,” he said.
