MARGAO
Government’s plan to honour senior citizens hailing from different communities and occupations seemed no news for 76-year old Govind Jadhav, a resident of Maina in Curtorim village.
In fact, Jadhav, who is a cobbler by occupation, hailing from the Scheduled Caste community, pointed out that instead of felicitating senior citizens, the government should do well to provide them facilities for a better living.
As he decided not to accept the honour from the government authorities, Jadhav acknowledged the help and support he received from the villages of Maina over the years. “I am not impressed by this recognition and honour which the government intends to bestow on me. Instead, the government should do well to provide facility to the people like me to improve the standard of living than a one-time honour,” he said, while addressing the media in the presence of Congress leader Moreno Rebello.
“I have been informed that I will be honoured by the government authorities for my service to the people. I am against such honour as the politicians are only aiming to earn fame over the felicitation,” he said, while acknowledging that it is the people of Maina who have protected him over the years.
A native of Karnataka, Jadhav had moved into Goa before the historic Opinion Poll and has since settled in Goa. “The government should not bestow the honour just because elections are coming soon, but help the poor to overcome their hardships,” he added.
Moreno Rebello told the media that Jadhav called on him at his office after he was tipped off of his felicitation by the government. “He has been staying in the village for many years now, moving around the village with his cycle. He meets the requirements of the villagers since he is the only cobbler in the village,” he said, while acknowledging Jadhav’s services to the villagers.
