OLD GOA
The Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) on Thursday marked 100 days of the fast satyagraha which has been going on since November 24 last year.
At the function at the satyagraha site at St Cajetan precincts to mark the 100 days, SOGAC cleared the air on the recent controversies created by some satyagraha participants who claimed to be part of the executive committee of SOGAC.
Nazario Fernandes, one of the founding members of SOGAC, who recently died in a tragic accident was also remembered with the gathering paying respect to the departed soul by observing a minute’s silence.
Speaking at the function, SOGAC coordinator Peter Viegas outlined that there is no doubt that the satyagraha is fully supported by the Church, which is the reason why the satyagraha is held inside the church precincts.
“Apart from the Church, this movement is also supported by Goans from all over, irrespective of religion, caste or creed,” Viegas added.
On the executive committee of SOGAC, Viegas said it was elected on November 22, 2020, and is valid till November 10, 2023, after which fresh elections will be held.
He further stated that the executive committee consists of Fatima Pereira (president), Nicholas D’Costa (vice-president), Milagrina Couto (secretary), Francisco Fernandes (Jt secretary), Hugo Gonsalves (treasurer), Fredy Dias (Jt treasurer), Gabriel da Costa (legal advisor) and Peter Viegas (coordinator).
“This exposes the claims of those who recently claimed that they are part of the executive committee of SOGAC,” Viegas stated.
He further claimed that a group has been formed by the builders' lobby who bought land in and around the heritage sites of Old Goa for development.
“This group could attack those who are participating at the satyagraha as currently there are only a few people participating,” Viegas alleged.
“The exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier will be held in 2024 and every time, the number of visitors increased. In 2004, 22 lakh people visited which doubled to 44 lakh in 2014 and if the number doubles in 2024, then where will there be parking space if the property in and around Old Goa is allowed to be developed,” he asked and urged the Goans to support the satyagraha to save Old Goa for future generations.
“We could have easily targeted those who attacked SOGAC but our main aim is to get the illegal structure demolished, and we are going to focus on that only,” Viegas concluded.
Earlier, SOGAC remembered one of its founder members Nazario Fernandes who died in a tragic accident recently.
SOGAC president Fatima Pereira lighted a candle as a mark of respect to the departed member and later all the participants observed a minute’s silence.
Among those who participated in the 100-day commemoration included the lone former MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, parish priest of Sao Jose de Areal Fr Eusico Pereira, AAP leaders -- Cecille Rodrigues, Cruz Silva, Justin Gomes -- and others.
Owner’s plea challenging panchayat's revocation order to be heard today
OLD GOA
Even as the satyagraha completed 100 days on Thursday, the SOGAC has a legal battle on its hands as the hearing on the owner’s plea challenging Se Old Goa panchayat’s revocation order will be heard in the additional director of panchayats on Friday.
Architect Tahir Noronha decried that even as Goans are busy fighting among themselves, the owners of the structure are busy trying to defend the construction of the structure.
“The owners have challenged the panchayat’s revocation order in the Director of Panchayats, the hearing of which will be held on Friday. So, let us put our differences aside and be united until this structure comes down,” Noronha pleaded.
“SOGAC will be represented by its own lawyer as a caveat was filed,” Noronha said and added that a caveat has been filed in the High Court as well.
“Even as the hearing is slated for Friday, we have still not received the plea of the builder to know the grounds on which he is seeking to scrap the revocation order,” Noronha stated.
Have informed UNESCO, ICOMOS on issue: GHAG
OLD GOA
Historian Heta Pandit informed that the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) has taken the issue to UNESCO as well as ICOMOS.
“We have informed UNESCO. We have also informed International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which is an international council that advises UNESCO on monuments that are declared as world heritage sites.
“So, we have done our duty by informing the international bodies, but sadly we are not getting support from the local bodies,” Pandit decried.
