MAPUSA
Goa’s culture and environment is under threat and the only way to save the situation is to speak out and act, said former union minister and Goa election in-charge P Chidambaram, suggesting that people should come out against the establishment.
Chidambaram, on Tuesday, also said that the Congress party will regularly consult the people post-election after it forms the government in the State.
“Goa has evolved as a place with unique culture and blessed with a beautiful environment. But that special culture and environment is under threat. You must think, speak, write and act so that the threat is eliminated. We need to quell the autocracy that is emerging in the country,” Chidambaram said.
The former union minister and senior Congress leader was addressing a gathering of NGOs at a function to solicit views from them in order to prepare a “blueprint” for Goa in Mapusa.
In-charge of Goa Dinesh Gundu Rao, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, former union minister Ramakant Khalap, senior Vice President M K Shaikh, District President Vijay Bhike, media cell in-charge Amarnath Panjikar and others were also present.
Continuing, Chidambaram said the BJP has done injustice to NGOs by restricting their functioning.
“3000 NGOs were deprived of a lifeline of which they were carrying their operation. This includes names like Oxfam India, Amnesty International and sadly, very sadly the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa,” he said, and urged the people to speak up against the injustice taking place in the country.
He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) rejected the application of Missionaries of Charity for renewal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act registration on the pretext that eligibility conditions were not met.
“Political parties express people’s desire, but if political parties go against the desire and interest of people then they have the right to throw them out,’’ he said.
“It is a wrong belief that political parties have power. Fortunately, power is with the people and they can bring change however they want,” the senior Congressman said.
He said the Congress will become the voice of Goa and will be fully equipped to deal with problems.
“I promise you that once we form the government, Congress leaders will come back to you soliciting views on how to improve on the governance,” he assured.
Congress Party’s legal in-charge, Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira along with Viriato Fernandes moderated the interaction.
Chidambaram, on Tuesday, also said that the Congress party will regularly consult the people post-election after it forms the government in the State.
“Goa has evolved as a place with unique culture and blessed with a beautiful environment. But that special culture and environment is under threat. You must think, speak, write and act so that the threat is eliminated. We need to quell the autocracy that is emerging in the country,” Chidambaram said.
The former union minister and senior Congress leader was addressing a gathering of NGOs at a function to solicit views from them in order to prepare a “blueprint” for Goa in Mapusa.
In-charge of Goa Dinesh Gundu Rao, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, former union minister Ramakant Khalap, senior Vice President M K Shaikh, District President Vijay Bhike, media cell in-charge Amarnath Panjikar and others were also present.
Continuing, Chidambaram said the BJP has done injustice to NGOs by restricting their functioning.
“3000 NGOs were deprived of a lifeline of which they were carrying their operation. This includes names like Oxfam India, Amnesty International and sadly, very sadly the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa,” he said, and urged the people to speak up against the injustice taking place in the country.
He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) rejected the application of Missionaries of Charity for renewal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act registration on the pretext that eligibility conditions were not met.
“Political parties express people’s desire, but if political parties go against the desire and interest of people then they have the right to throw them out,’’ he said.
“It is a wrong belief that political parties have power. Fortunately, power is with the people and they can bring change however they want,” the senior Congressman said.
He said the Congress will become the voice of Goa and will be fully equipped to deal with problems.
“I promise you that once we form the government, Congress leaders will come back to you soliciting views on how to improve on the governance,” he assured.
Congress Party’s legal in-charge, Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira along with Viriato Fernandes moderated the interaction.
