Flora Miranda

The so called mining dependents held us to ransom on black Monday. They had no business to block the Mandovi Bridges and roads and prevent us commuters from reaching our destination. Children and tourists were stranded for hours and some people missed their flights.

The mineral wealth of Goa belongs to all Goans. The mine owners have plundered the wealth for several decades. They should deposit some amount in a Trust for the future generations. Whichever government is in power has sheltered illegal mining because the mining lobby funds the elections. There is no need of a review of the Supreme Court order. Over Rs 1 lakh cr, which the mining lobby has cheated the Goa government exchequer, should be collected and part of it distributed to the real needy mining dependents and not given to those rich mine owners and to those who flaunt their gold ornaments. It is high time Goans should leave mining and take up alternate jobs like fishing, as plumbers, as electricians, farmers, bakers, in hotel industry, clothing industry, food production, etc. which are being taken by migrants.

Mining has destroyed our green fields and polluted the environment with the mining dust. Trucks have killed so many children and adults. Drinking water has become a precious commodity in mining areas. Lung diseases are rampant.

Lathi charge by the police was justified and should have been ordered much earlier, so that we were not held up for hours. The mining lobby should be made to pay for the damages caused to government property by the so called mining dependents. It is high time mining was stopped in Goa. If at all mining restarts every Goan should get their share of money which has been denied to them for decades and enjoyed by a few mine owners. The mining lobby should realise that they have enough money for their needs but not for their greed. How much is enough for their greed has no answer.

I would like to remind them that we came in this world empty handed and when the call comes to leave this world we will go back empty handed and leave everything we have earned behind on this earth. We will have to give an account of our deeds on earth to our Creator (God). Are you prepared for that day?