OLD GOA
With the State government not giving a lending ear to their grievances, the Bhomkars have now petitioned the President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for justice in the road widening issue.
In the petition which is addressed to the trio by Sunil Bhomkar, Sanjay Naik and villagers of Bhoma, it has been pointed out that the authorities concerned are not giving them a clear picture about the project and about the number of houses which are going to be demolished.
“Sometimes they say 3 houses will be demolished but the next day they are giving a statement that only 4 houses and 19 shops will be demolished. If we ask them to show us a detailed plan about the highway, they are keeping queit,” the petition states.
Further, the petition highlighted how the villagers were harassed by the police when they objected to the measuring of trees, in which many villagers including women were detained by force.
The petition further highlights the importance of the various festivities and rituals being held in the temples which are located in the village.
In particular, the petition mentions the traditional and culturally rich festival ‘Kalotsav’ in which the deity of Goddess Sateri and Narayan Dev visit each other by crossing the very road which would be taken up for widening.
The celebration of ‘Shravani Bhajani Saptah’ at Ishwar Devasthan is also highlighted in which it is pointed out that group ‘Dindi’ is performed by chanting in loud voices taking the path from the road.
The petition also points out to the existence of the Shree Sati Devi temple, located very close to the road and which faces imminent threat due to the road widening.
The petition has also highlighted other important rituals and festivals performed like ‘Tulshi-Laagn’ within the premises of Ishwar Sateri temple, Shigmotsave, Dhedlosteve, Deepotsav, Holi Utsav, Gulal, Immersion of Ganesh Idol, Navaratri Utsav, Saraswati Puja, Rath Saptami Puja Tarang, and other religious rituals.
The petition has finally pointed out that they have given two alternatives to the government to avoid the road through the village. The first one to build a bypass through the agricultural fields, and the second to build a bypass from the industrial estate area.
Along with the petition, videos and images of important festivals like ‘kaalotsav’ have also been attached in a pen drive for reference.
