MAPUSA
“Can we see garbage free Goa by 2018? Why not? We need yours and people’s support to achieve the clean Goa target,” Parrikar said to a group of students in Assagao College.
The chief minister was addressing a gathering including students at the celebration of 109th Anniversary of Dnyanprassarak Mandal and inauguration of Institute of Post Graduate & Research Centre for MA (English) and MSc (Organic Chemistry) at the Assagao College.
Ministers, Francis D’Souza, Vinod Palyekar and MLAs, Glenn Ticlo and Dayanand Sopte were also present.
Speaking further. the chief minister said it was surprising that a small state like Goa couldn’t achieve the target of “kachra mukt Goa” (garbage free Goa).
The State government’s efforts should be supplemented by people’s participation to achieve the target of clean Goa, he said. “It’s the people of Goa who dump garbage by the roadside, not the government. It’s high time people should take responsibility for their actions,” he said.
Emphasizing on education, he said most of the government’s last term was wasted over discussions on medium of instruction.
“What is the use of bickering over a language if we cannot impart quality education in the State,” questioned Parrikar, who holds the education portfolio.
He said in the past Goans or people of Goan origin have done very well and excelled in different fields in the country.
“We generated top class singers, scientists, army men, sportsmen, etc,” the chief minister recalled and wondered why Goans have not excelled in recent times.
“We have many good singers. Why don’t we produce a Lata Mangueshkar,” Parrikar asked, referring to the legendary playback singer whose ancestral roots are traced to the temple town of Mangueshi.
The chief minister exhorted educational institutes to make effort to implement value education among the student community.
“The importance of wearing of helmets should be taught in schools. Such basic etiquette begins from home but nowadays since both parents are earning members, children fail to acquire required knowledge at home. Schools should make such awareness amongst the kids,” Parrikar said.
