the goan I network
Panaji
Nirmala Sawant expressed, on Monday, that if the government truly wanted to help backward communities in the state, reservations for seats was not the solution, and needed to be done away with.
The activist and ex-Minister was talking at a roundtable discussion “The State of Statehood” organised by Parikrama Knowledge Terminus held at Kala Academy.
“There’s too much reservation in the state,” said Sawant, even as she explained that if the government truly wanted to help backward communities, then it should give all possible help to children from backward communities.
“All possible facilities should be given to children from backward communities,” she stated, adding, “But reservations need to be done away with.”
Sawant acknowledged this, despite the fact that she hails from the community.
Elaborating on the current state of Goa, Sawant expressed that many women in Goa were not liberated, despite being qualified.
“Have women got liberation through education?” she questioned while pointing out that she was surprised that women in this day and age still went to carry out religious duties wearing huge amounts of gold.
“I saw these things happening in other states years ago. But I’m surprised that these things happen in Goa even today,” she said while reiterating that if this was the outcome of education, then it was only half-hearted education.
Sawant stressed the need to change traditions that were outdated.
“Following traditions that we agree with is acceptable,” she said, adding, “But it is perfectly acceptable to change those we don’t agree with.”
The discussion, which was moderated by Assistant Professor Yugank Naik from the Goa University, also saw writer Damodar Mauzo, economics lecturer Dr Manoj Kamat, and activist Suhas Naik participate in the academic discussion.
