Goa Church under cloud for selling island to resort companyThe Church in Goa has come under a cloud following the sale of one of the river islands owned by the Archdiocese of Goa to a resort developer.
Villagers residing at Vanxim (Ilhas de Capao), a small picturesque island located in the Mandovi river, about 20 km from here, have alleged that the Church and the administration colluded to strip them of their land and sold it to a Bangalore-based luxury resort company at throwaway prices. Most of the villagers of the island are tenants.
Maggie Silveria, one of the affected tenants, who is leading a public campaign to cancel the sale deed executed by the Church authorities and the resort management said: "Our main demand is in the interest of the people in Vanxim, who are all legal tenants. A lot of residents were pressurised by the deputy collector into making representations that the land was not being used for agriculture.
The land has been taken off by the Archdiocese of Goa using unfair means."
"We have made several representations to the church and even met procurator Father Victor Ferrao (in-charge of the church's property). He initially said that he would take the land back and return the money to the resort company. However, the sale deed is already done," she added. Maggie's crusade has received a shot in the arm after several well-known NGOs namely Gakuved, GOAMAP, Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott, Colva Civic and Consumer Forum and Chinchinim Citizens Forum addressed a joint press conference condemning the sale of the land.
The Goa Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1964 stipulates that if a tenant does not cultivate his leased field for a period of three consecutive years, it is returned to the owner leaving the tenant with no rights over it.
The island of Capao (Ilhas de Capao) lies in the Mandovi river to the north of Divar island and to the south of Narve, Bicholim taluka in a highly eco-sensitive zone with acres of mangrove forest. There are 78 houses in the village with about 55 families residing on the island.
It is part of the large tracts of land which were gifted to the clergy almost 450 years ago during the first century of Portuguese colonisation regime with most farmers being tenants of the Church.
With the expulsion of all Catholic religious orders, the land that belonged to them were handed over to the Archdiocese of Goa and they so remain till this day.
Sebastian Rodrigues, a well known civil society activist, blamed the sale of land by the Church to a resort developer (not for the first time) on the Church-capitalist nexus.
"The fear amongst the people is because it is the head of their Catholic faith, the Archbishop himself who sold their land for peanuts. This is an insult as well as shock at the same time. But these trends in Vanxim are clearly designed by Church-capitalist nexus towards accumulation of wealth through dispossession of the same from people," he said.
Church authorities, however, have chosen to remain mum over thecontroversial land sale which has generated a buzz amongst civil society activists in the state as well as the large expat community abroad, largely Roman Catholic.
IANS' repeated attempts to seek an official response from the Bishop's House, the official residence of the Goa archbishop, were unfruitful.
Bishop's house official Fr Victor Ferrao and Fr Francis Caldeira, spokesperson for the Archdiocese, were unwilling to comment.
Eldon Carlos.
August 15, 2010
August 13, 2010
OUR FOOTBALL IN KUWAIT - REVENGE - HARSCH SUSPENSION.
REVENGEFUL SUSPENSION IN SOCCER TOURNAMENTS IN KUWAIT.
United Goans Center popularly known in Kuwait as UG has created an unique record of starting competitive soccer amongst us in Kuwait in 1979, as a Goan I am proud of this Goan organization for creating something for us in Kuwait. When UG initiated soccer activities for us, they said it was thru football they wanted to spread friendship; their slogan was “Friendship thru football”. Unfortunately, UG itself created a destructive record of kicking this slogan out of their domain when they revengefully suspended G.O.A. Maroons from their tournament on flimsy ground and thereby created enmity in the community and amongst community members. It all happened in 1982 like this:
Marrons that time was the most powerful team amongst us in Kuwait. At Sour Ground Maroons were playing against Flying Arrows which consisted members and players from Mangalore and Bombay and most of them were rowdies. Maroons scored a nice and clear goal, referee Jennifer Rodrigues rightly whistled for the goal and ball was brought to the centre. Suddenly, Flying Arrows members from outside and inside like goondas started arguing with the referee to change his decision, there was heavy commotion on and off the field stopping the proceedings further till referee reverses his decision which referee did surprisingly. Maroons said “we will not restart the match until referee maintained his original decision”. Having no option, referee blew the final whistle as “match abandoned”.
Next day UG executive body members called its meeting and like cousin brothers of Adolf Hitler issued a letter to Maroons suspending it from further participation in their League cum Knockout tournament. Everybody realised it was a revenge suspension. Unfortunately none of the 11 participating teams and clubs nor senior members of the community tried to take side of Maroons by supporting it against this suspension. Tension then started mounting high in the community, enmity and revenge started taking roots in certain segments of the community. There was confusion and chaos in the community. But nobody told openly UG that their decision was too harsh and unwarranted. However, UG wanted to take revenge on Maroons and finish Maroons fro Sour Ground thru this suspension. Since Sour ground was open for all, Maroons with the support of Mercedes Boys of Goan origin initiated an independent tournament naming it as Mercedes Cup, participating teams were 6 and it turned out to be a great success since Mercedes Company in Kuwait also assisting in its promotion.
After Maroons received suspension letter from UG, executive body members of Maroons met at Ratymond D’Sa’s residence to take stock of the situation. During this important meeting Raymond D’Sa as president of G.O.A. and the late Domnick Correa as Manager of the Team expressed their deep regret on associate clubs and teams and even influential members of the community for not supporting Maroons and said “It is very hurting that none of the participating teams and clubs supported us against this suspension”. While expressing his feelings, Correia was on tears. It was very saddening to know at that time that none of the Goan teams questioned UG for so harshly suspending G.O.A.Maroons.
Now there is heavy commotion going on in Kuwait amongst us created by adamant attitude of KIFF because KIFF wants not only to suspend IFF members but it looks KIFF even wants to finish from this planet all the IFF members with the brute power it has. During its meeting on this topic last week, KIFF passed a resolution not to accept IFF members in its fold back without paying heavy penalties as indicated in this forum earlier. These penalties are too harsh which will create more enmity and disorder in the community and to face this chaos none of the KIFF members of Goan origin is capable. This is not the time to impose such Hitlerian penalties, this is the time for reconciliation peacefully. According to my information, Raymond D’Sa and Tony Correia the son of late Domnick Correia were present for the last week KIFF meeting but did not utter a single word against the suspension of IFF members. It was very surprising to know that when we get a kick on our back we long for support from others but when others get a kick on their back we as crooks remain silent.
Formation of IFF last year by some KIFF members according to me was a wrong decision but that does not mean that they should be debarred from rejoining the parent body this year. By forming IFF, it has not violated any part of KIFF Constitution, according to one source in IFF and if this is the case then IFF has not committed a crime on KIFF by forming IFF. Currently in this dispute between KIFF and IFF, the peace in the community is spoiled. Some members of the KIFF think that they are ruling FIFA. Even FIFA’s verdict would not be as harsh as it was of KIFF. Good that IFF members are not employed and sponsored by the KIFF otherwise all the IFF members would have been by now deported by KIFF.
KIFF should try to soften its mood for the good in the community before atmosphere in the community is become foul when things will go out of hand and for which people would hold Goans in KIFF responsible. Non Goans in KIFF are not interested in Goan unity. The disunity of Goans is the pleasure of Non-Goans. We all must know that this is not our country, one day we all have to leave Kuwait and that day may be tomorrow only, either gracefully or disgracefully. But while we are here in Kuwait and when we get an opportunity to do something good for the cause of community we should do, keeping aside our personal revenge and ego. By the way, what is our pride in Kuwait Oh idiotic minded Goykara? Who cares for your job, position and money in Kuwait? Dont you know that you are considered in this society as "Hindi Muskin?" Shameless you are and yet you think you are shameful. Do something good so that you will be remembered for posterity. After all, we must know what Shakespeare has said ”the good that man doet often interred with the bones while evil always remaineth after him”.
In Goa, Goans are selling Goa thru the sale of Goan land to Non Goans mainly from Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab while in Kuwait some bastardised Goans are selling the interests of Goans to Mumbaikars, Delhikars, Punjabkars, Munglurkars and Keralkars.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
United Goans Center popularly known in Kuwait as UG has created an unique record of starting competitive soccer amongst us in Kuwait in 1979, as a Goan I am proud of this Goan organization for creating something for us in Kuwait. When UG initiated soccer activities for us, they said it was thru football they wanted to spread friendship; their slogan was “Friendship thru football”. Unfortunately, UG itself created a destructive record of kicking this slogan out of their domain when they revengefully suspended G.O.A. Maroons from their tournament on flimsy ground and thereby created enmity in the community and amongst community members. It all happened in 1982 like this:
Marrons that time was the most powerful team amongst us in Kuwait. At Sour Ground Maroons were playing against Flying Arrows which consisted members and players from Mangalore and Bombay and most of them were rowdies. Maroons scored a nice and clear goal, referee Jennifer Rodrigues rightly whistled for the goal and ball was brought to the centre. Suddenly, Flying Arrows members from outside and inside like goondas started arguing with the referee to change his decision, there was heavy commotion on and off the field stopping the proceedings further till referee reverses his decision which referee did surprisingly. Maroons said “we will not restart the match until referee maintained his original decision”. Having no option, referee blew the final whistle as “match abandoned”.
Next day UG executive body members called its meeting and like cousin brothers of Adolf Hitler issued a letter to Maroons suspending it from further participation in their League cum Knockout tournament. Everybody realised it was a revenge suspension. Unfortunately none of the 11 participating teams and clubs nor senior members of the community tried to take side of Maroons by supporting it against this suspension. Tension then started mounting high in the community, enmity and revenge started taking roots in certain segments of the community. There was confusion and chaos in the community. But nobody told openly UG that their decision was too harsh and unwarranted. However, UG wanted to take revenge on Maroons and finish Maroons fro Sour Ground thru this suspension. Since Sour ground was open for all, Maroons with the support of Mercedes Boys of Goan origin initiated an independent tournament naming it as Mercedes Cup, participating teams were 6 and it turned out to be a great success since Mercedes Company in Kuwait also assisting in its promotion.
After Maroons received suspension letter from UG, executive body members of Maroons met at Ratymond D’Sa’s residence to take stock of the situation. During this important meeting Raymond D’Sa as president of G.O.A. and the late Domnick Correa as Manager of the Team expressed their deep regret on associate clubs and teams and even influential members of the community for not supporting Maroons and said “It is very hurting that none of the participating teams and clubs supported us against this suspension”. While expressing his feelings, Correia was on tears. It was very saddening to know at that time that none of the Goan teams questioned UG for so harshly suspending G.O.A.Maroons.
Now there is heavy commotion going on in Kuwait amongst us created by adamant attitude of KIFF because KIFF wants not only to suspend IFF members but it looks KIFF even wants to finish from this planet all the IFF members with the brute power it has. During its meeting on this topic last week, KIFF passed a resolution not to accept IFF members in its fold back without paying heavy penalties as indicated in this forum earlier. These penalties are too harsh which will create more enmity and disorder in the community and to face this chaos none of the KIFF members of Goan origin is capable. This is not the time to impose such Hitlerian penalties, this is the time for reconciliation peacefully. According to my information, Raymond D’Sa and Tony Correia the son of late Domnick Correia were present for the last week KIFF meeting but did not utter a single word against the suspension of IFF members. It was very surprising to know that when we get a kick on our back we long for support from others but when others get a kick on their back we as crooks remain silent.
Formation of IFF last year by some KIFF members according to me was a wrong decision but that does not mean that they should be debarred from rejoining the parent body this year. By forming IFF, it has not violated any part of KIFF Constitution, according to one source in IFF and if this is the case then IFF has not committed a crime on KIFF by forming IFF. Currently in this dispute between KIFF and IFF, the peace in the community is spoiled. Some members of the KIFF think that they are ruling FIFA. Even FIFA’s verdict would not be as harsh as it was of KIFF. Good that IFF members are not employed and sponsored by the KIFF otherwise all the IFF members would have been by now deported by KIFF.
KIFF should try to soften its mood for the good in the community before atmosphere in the community is become foul when things will go out of hand and for which people would hold Goans in KIFF responsible. Non Goans in KIFF are not interested in Goan unity. The disunity of Goans is the pleasure of Non-Goans. We all must know that this is not our country, one day we all have to leave Kuwait and that day may be tomorrow only, either gracefully or disgracefully. But while we are here in Kuwait and when we get an opportunity to do something good for the cause of community we should do, keeping aside our personal revenge and ego. By the way, what is our pride in Kuwait Oh idiotic minded Goykara? Who cares for your job, position and money in Kuwait? Dont you know that you are considered in this society as "Hindi Muskin?" Shameless you are and yet you think you are shameful. Do something good so that you will be remembered for posterity. After all, we must know what Shakespeare has said ”the good that man doet often interred with the bones while evil always remaineth after him”.
In Goa, Goans are selling Goa thru the sale of Goan land to Non Goans mainly from Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab while in Kuwait some bastardised Goans are selling the interests of Goans to Mumbaikars, Delhikars, Punjabkars, Munglurkars and Keralkars.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
VILLAGE PANCHAYATS TO STOP ISSUING OF LICENCES. By Roger D'Souza.
Newspaper reports indicate that the High Court of Bombay at Goa has told the Village Panchayats not to issue fresh licences for construction licences until they comply with the earlier court directions regarding garbage disposal.
Would the Village Panchayats comply with the directions of the High Court of Bombay at Goa? That's to be seen. The Builders-Politician-Government Machinery nexus is too strong and it's obvious that they will do everything possible to destroy Goa and do everything possible to have their way even going against the High Court.The Government of Goa would of course have it's own tricks up it's sleeves to bypass the High Court's mandate.
We've seen how the MLA of Cortalim Constituency Mauvin Godinho at the recent Assembly Session was asking for 100,000 square metres of precious Goan land in his Constituency to set up a garbage disposal unit for just 6 villages! He is working overtime to make sure that the real estate lobby is protected at any cost and is known to issue threats to poor villagers not to oppose the development that his builder friends have planned for Goa. The ads in the newspapers that the Real Estate Lobby put out to wish him for his Birthday was enough evidence where they all have their undying love pouring out in public and why. Not to be missed was the one page write-up by his cousin Agnelo Alcacoas from Queeny Realty Estate along with photographs of the Minister’s family including his wife and children. Interestingly that one page ad was paid by the Contractor who was awarded the contract of constructing Kala Bhavan at Sancoale! If I was Maria Divina the Minister’s wife or one of his children I would be ashamed to be openly flaunted and feted in the newspapers and public forum by the Builders in order to seek the favours of the Minister.
The following is the latest update from the Times of India.
HC tells VPs not to issue fresh licences for constructionTNN, Aug 12, 2010, 05.19am IST PANAJI: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed several village panchayats (VPs) in the state not to issue further construction licences until they comply with the earlier court directions regarding garbage disposal.
The high court had on March 10 directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to conduct inspections for verifying whether the VPs had established functioning composting units. The court had passed the directions in a suo motu petition relating to streamlining the garbage disposal system in the state.
The GSPCB had on April 7 filed a detailed inspection report before the court pertaining to the inspection of garbage composting units of 12 village panchayats in the state.
The officials of the GSPCB conducted inspections of the units set up by Calangute, Betalbatim, Majorda-Utorda-Calata, Cavelossim, Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim, Chicalim, Chicolna, Sancoale, Arambol, Morjim, Paliem and Mandrem village panchayats.
The inspection report filed by the GSPCB had pointed out progress by some of the VPs in the collection and disposal of garbage, while some had not complied with the court's earlier orders with regards to recycling plastic waste.
Would the Village Panchayats comply with the directions of the High Court of Bombay at Goa? That's to be seen. The Builders-Politician-Government Machinery nexus is too strong and it's obvious that they will do everything possible to destroy Goa and do everything possible to have their way even going against the High Court.The Government of Goa would of course have it's own tricks up it's sleeves to bypass the High Court's mandate.
We've seen how the MLA of Cortalim Constituency Mauvin Godinho at the recent Assembly Session was asking for 100,000 square metres of precious Goan land in his Constituency to set up a garbage disposal unit for just 6 villages! He is working overtime to make sure that the real estate lobby is protected at any cost and is known to issue threats to poor villagers not to oppose the development that his builder friends have planned for Goa. The ads in the newspapers that the Real Estate Lobby put out to wish him for his Birthday was enough evidence where they all have their undying love pouring out in public and why. Not to be missed was the one page write-up by his cousin Agnelo Alcacoas from Queeny Realty Estate along with photographs of the Minister’s family including his wife and children. Interestingly that one page ad was paid by the Contractor who was awarded the contract of constructing Kala Bhavan at Sancoale! If I was Maria Divina the Minister’s wife or one of his children I would be ashamed to be openly flaunted and feted in the newspapers and public forum by the Builders in order to seek the favours of the Minister.
The following is the latest update from the Times of India.
HC tells VPs not to issue fresh licences for constructionTNN, Aug 12, 2010, 05.19am IST PANAJI: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed several village panchayats (VPs) in the state not to issue further construction licences until they comply with the earlier court directions regarding garbage disposal.
The high court had on March 10 directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to conduct inspections for verifying whether the VPs had established functioning composting units. The court had passed the directions in a suo motu petition relating to streamlining the garbage disposal system in the state.
The GSPCB had on April 7 filed a detailed inspection report before the court pertaining to the inspection of garbage composting units of 12 village panchayats in the state.
The officials of the GSPCB conducted inspections of the units set up by Calangute, Betalbatim, Majorda-Utorda-Calata, Cavelossim, Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim, Chicalim, Chicolna, Sancoale, Arambol, Morjim, Paliem and Mandrem village panchayats.
The inspection report filed by the GSPCB had pointed out progress by some of the VPs in the collection and disposal of garbage, while some had not complied with the court's earlier orders with regards to recycling plastic waste.
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