GOEM ATAM UTTLAM

GOEM ATAM UTTLAM

Gone were the days when Goans were called “susegad”. In 1973 in my locality when Sinquerim Taj ignored the locals in getting the job at Taj Hotel, I and my colleague Alex Pinto revolted against the lop sided policy of Taj and challenged the entry of GRD Tata at Sinquerim when he was first time visiting Goa, demanding from him jobs for the locals and Goans only at his Taj Hotel. All the local “chamchas” of Taj showed their opposition to me but as usual I did not care for their opposition. Thru this revolt of mine the local people and Goans got preferential treatment in the jobs at the Taj. Then I came to Kuwait by cutting short my education at the Post Graduate Centre in Panaji. Since then our locality is not having a dedicated leader to fight for our rights. If I were in Goa permanently the Ship “River Princess” at Candolim Beach would not remain there till now. With the help of like minded people who are plenty in my locality and in Goa now, I would do something because “Goem Uttlam”.

Dayananda Bandodkar once told me that Konkani has no value in Goa, hence support Marathi as per the manifesto of MGP. Bandodkar died, his daughter came with the same slogan against Konkani. I came to Kuwait, started Konkani movement, liaised with our Konkani supporters in Goa, from Kuwait collected funds for the cause of Konkani, gave an assurance to our people in Goa that financially we will stand by you in your physical fight for the cause of Goa. Our brothers and sisters in eighties started a movement first under Novem Goem Pratishthan and later under KPA for the victory of Konkani. “Goem Uttlem”, public rallies and public meetings were organized in a big scale in Panjim, I went to Goa on vacation and participated in the rallies and meetings, received lathis from Prataphsingh Rauji Rane’s Ghantti police, hunger strike was conducted and there again I took part in it at Azad Maidan. “Goem Uttlem”. Final showdown was when our 6 Agxikar brothers laid down their precious lives for the cause of Konkani headed by youthful Floriano Vaz from Margao, Cogol who being the first Konkani martyr was shot dead from close range by the Ghantti Hawaldar of Rane for raising the voice of Konkani. “Goem Uttlem”. “Goem Bandh” movement was started and finally Konkani was recognized and because Konkani was recognized Goa got statehood. Why this victory happened? Because “Goa Atam Uttlem”.

In between anti-Nylon 6.6 Factory movement started in Kerim Goa. People joined together, faced the brutalities of police, one youth was killed in the firing by the Goa police. But people of Goa did not care. They were prepared to face more deaths to close this Factory. Finally the Nylon Factory project was shelved. Why? Because of people’s movement against it. Why this happened? Because “Goa Atam Uttlem”.

Two years back Town and Country Planning (TCP) Ordinance of Babush Monsurate was vehemently opposed by the people of Goa under the leadership of Mummy Victoria Fernandes. Public Rallies and public meetings were organized all over Goa. I was in Goa on my annual vacation. I took part in it, volunteered for arrest in Panjim near Customs House. Then on request from the movement makers I adressed the public meetings in 3 places including at Mapusa Bus Stand and received lot of support and encouragement from the public. Finally Monsurate and Goa Government surrendered and shelved this anti Goan plan TCP Ordinance. Why it happened? Because people of Goa opposed it. Why people opposed it? Because “Goem Atam Uttlem”.

Then under the leadership of Dr. Rebello another heavy movement was organized to oppose the big Master Plan for Goa initiated by Goa Government to degoanise Goa and to sell it to non-Goans. Again public meetings and rallies were organized. Patricia Pinto a young lady from Panjim took a very leading role. Finally this Plan too was shelved. Why? Because Goan masses opposed it. Why they opposed it? Because “Goa Atam Uttlem”.

SEZ movement is the latest movement in Goa against the interest of Goans. Everybody in Goa is opposing it because it is not good for Goa. There are committees and organizations formed all over Goa to oppose this SEZ. People in Goa are organizing meetings and rallies in Goa. It is gaining a momentum to convert it into a mass movement. Why people in big number opposing it? Because it is against the interest of Goans. Who are supporting this anti-SEZ movement? All Goans. Why they are supporting it? Because “Goem Atam Uttlam”. The Goans who are fighting against this SEZ will never remain silent till SEZ is totally scrapped as they resolved on 14th of this month in the big public meeting held at Lohia Maidan Margao. “Goem Atam Uttlam”. Unlike earlier days, Goem Atam Susegad Nidonk Na. Goem Atam Uttlam.

A few days back at Dona Paula under the leadership of local MLA Babush Monsurate work for the construction of IT Habitat initiated by Dayananda Narvenkar with the blessing of Goa Government was stopped. Police force was called and there were some clashes. Monsurate remained firm, so too his supporters. Narvenkar said in this IT Habitat lot of jobs will be created for Goans. But I doubt Narvenkar’s assertion. Narvenkar in his true colours will surely implement the sin of Narvenkarism which also means selling the jobs to the highest bidder whether he is from Goa or outside Goa. Nothing works in Goa without bribes. People must ask Narvenkar now only the sale price of every job and every segmet of the place there. How many jobs in this IT Habitat will be created and what will be the criteria of selection. How many jobs will be allocated to Goans and what guarantee is there Goans will be given preferential treatment in the jobs? I have no doubt in Narvenkar doing justice for Goans. He will do justice only for his personal monetary gains. Do not trust him. It is better to put an end to this Project under Narvenkar because it will give jobs to outsiders only thereby increasing number of non-Goans in Goa thus further helping the degoanisation process of Goa Men like Rane, Narvenkar and others have more love for non-Goans for this reason they got married to non-Goans. I have no trust in such people to show their love for Goans. I have a strong hope that people in Taleigao will teach a very good lesson to Narvenkar and to teach this lesson to Narvenkar I hope the like minded people from other parts of Goa must be ready to join Taleigaokars in their struggle. Let this anti-IT Habitat movement be the movement of entire Goa. I am sure people’s movement will succeed in stopping this Narvenkar Habitat because ‘GOEM ATAM UTTLAM”.

Secondly I have very little hope in Babush Monsurate that he will remain faithful to this good cause. History tells us that Babush Monsurate is the most selfish politician, he is more interested in his personal gains than in Goa and Goans. People rallying behind him must ask him whether he will remain dedicated to this cause or in between he will change his mind for the greed of ministerial berth or any other monetary gains and leave the sinking ship in the deep sea with all the passengers on board the ship afloat on the surface of the sea? People around Babush Monsurate must get a firm assurance from him that he will not change his mind otherwise people around him must not back Babush. He will surely have some ulterior motive behind leading this movement. Ulterior motive is the modus operandi of him and also of any of the corrupt politicians. Otherwise people must themselves lead this agitation to shelve this Narvenkar Habitat. People are capable of doing this because ‘GOEM ATAM UTTLAM”. Babush Monsurate said that to stop this IT Habitat, he will even shed his blood. Very deadly slogan indeed!! I feel we all Goans must prevent Babush Monsurate from shedding his blood especially because we need Goan blood for our protection. We want Goan blood to remain intact to support us and Goans. Pakleanchem Rogot, Mistissanchem Rogot ani Ghanttiamchem Rogot Goyant kobar zalear zata pun Niz Goenkaramchem Rogot Kobar Zalolem Amkam Nakam kiteak “GOEM ANI GOYKAR ATAM UTTLEAT”. We need their blood to save Goa and Goans. GOEM ATAM UTTLAM.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.