Churchill calls for merging areas of Karwar into Goa
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, AUG 28
Claiming that Jnanpith awardee Ravindra Kelekar had supported inclusion of Konkani speaking areas into Goa, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao has called upon the leading lights of the Konkani movement to fulfil Kelekar’s dream by merging the areas of Karwar, Supa into the State.
“I am opposed to Vishal Gomantak. But, I agree with Kelekar’s thought of including Konkani speaking areas of Karwar, Supa etc in Karnataka to help form a bigger Goa,” Alemao told newsmen on Saturday.
Incidentally, Alemao’s similar statement made at Karwar over a year ago had kicked off a bitter controversy in the State, prompting the Navelim MLA to issue a clarification, blaming the media for misquoting him on the sensitive issue.
Asked in what way a bigger Goa with Karwar and Supa will help Goans when the inhabitants of these areas have different traditions and culture, Alemao shot back “people of these areas had migrated from Goa centuries ago. The people there speak Konkani. Bringing these areas into Goa will help the future generations.”
Reminding that prestigious projects such as Kaiga nuclear power plant and the Seabird Navy centre are located in Karwar, Alemao said Goans can get power from the Kaiga nuclear plant, adding that the naval base at Dabolim can be shifted to the Seabird if Karwar is included into Goa.
“Today, Goa’s total area is put at 3750 sq kms, while Karwar’s total area is 3600 sq kms. Karwar and the other Konkani speaking areas in Karnataka have around three lakh population. If these areas are included into Goa, we will get the land as well as the facilities,” he added.
“Goans cannot forget Kelekar’s thought on this issue. Konkani lovers and the Konkani Academic should help to realize his dream. It now depends on Goans to fulfil Kelekar’s dreams,” Alemao added.
Incidentally, the PWD minister was silent on the inclusion of Konkan speaking areas bordering Maharashtra and only spoke of the merger of Karwar and other Konkani speaking areas from Karnataka into Goa.
