Fatorda independent MLA Vijay Sardessai is absolutely right. The two ministers and two MLAs supporting the current BJP government, who attended the recent meeting held at Margao to show their solidarity for the individuals fighting against the Mopa airport project should indeed officially withdraw support to the Manohar Parrikar led BJP government if they mean business over the same issue in Goa. Simply coming and sitting right in front of the stage to show the public is not enough, they should impress the people of South Goa with some real action and guts. Of course, they say they will still try to impress Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar over the same but when, and for how long? Till the next assembly elections in Goa? I have seen so many elected politicians historically betraying the people of South Goa on many important issues like Konkani, Konkan Railway project, Metastrips, MOI etc in the past and the current so-called ‘leaders’ too are no exception. I therefore feel the people of South Goa should immediately tell these elected representatives to stop displaying their artificial support for such movements or sailing on two ships for their own political survival but to make their stand very clear on the Mopa airport project at the very earliest, by even revolting against the government and the BJP, or get ready to face some deadly music in all future elections in Goa.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Congratulations Fr Eremito
The 'Goans For Dabolim Only' rally held at Lohia Maidan, Margao on May 15 was truly fantastic. We Goans, have the bounden duty to protect, preserve and save whatever good is left of our Goa. We cannot sit and watch as our precious State is sold off and gifted to vested interests by vested interests themselves. Nor must we remain silent and unmoved when our brethren in Mopa, Pernem, are to be rendered landless and homeless on the pretext of development. The term `development’ is fast becoming a bad word in its callous and free usage by the powers-that-be.
The meeting was attended by a record crowd of people who love the State, showing how much we love and cherish our beloved mother, who is being tortured and abused by various governments. The movement must grow until it becomes a force so strong that no government can withstand its just demands. The success of the meeting is also largely due to the awareness created through the prior meetings held in the villages.
Congratulations to Fr Eremito Rebello and his entire team who are working hard towards the movement.
Jeff Fernandes, Margao
Goans still care
The distress call to Goans by Fr Eremito and his group on May 15, at Lohia Maidan, Margao to support their fight to retain Dabolim civilian airport and to oppose Mopa airport was answered by our beloved Goans with a resounding yes. The response was overwhelming and unbelievable, with Goans filling the maidan and spilling onto the streets in support of this noble cause. It is so gratifying to see that Goans still care for Goa. It was worse to know about the treachery of some politicians who betrayed Goans for so many years for personal gains.
Jaimes E Rodrigues, Santa Cruz
Deadline for Dabolim only
All praise to Vijai Sardesai for remarking that a deadline for scrapping Mopa airport should be set to the CM. I think he is right when he suggests that the MLAs Benjamin and Caitu Silva along with ministers Alina Saldanha and Avertano Furtado should resign if the CM doesn't bow down to the people's wish to have Mopa scrapped.
John Razana, USA
Mopa and Konkan railway
The current opposition to the Mopa aerodrome project is reminiscent of the opposition to the Konkan Railway project. Besides others, there were activists and environmentalists who ran a sustained campaign against laying the Konkan railway network in Goa. Arguments based on both fact and fiction were put forth. The central government then set up a one-man commission headed by Justice Oza to investigate the validity of the arguments against the project. After much research, he finally recommended laying of the railway line with certain changes in the alignment. The people who opposed the Konkan Railway project are surely now using that mode of transport and the benefits of Konkan Railway can be seen by all.
