TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Team Herald
CHICALIM: Friday marked the first death anniversary of late Julio Aguiar, one of the powerful catalysts of the ‘Save Mollem Campaign’ against the three linear projects that was supposed to pass through Mollem forest. He had initiated an art competition where young artists could express their feelings for the environment through art. The project had to be stalled due to his untimely death.
The art competition was completed on his first death anniversary on Friday at Chicalim. Alumni of Regina Mundi School in Chicalim came forward and volunteered to sponsor the prizes for the competition. The prizes were awarded to the student prize winners on Friday.
At the gathering, speakers described Julio as a no nonsense person with a good heart who worked day and night behind the scenes for Goa.
Ella Mascarenhas, his colleague in Goencho Ekvott in her message said, “It has been an entire year without Julio , a year where lot has changed for the better. The recent verdicts of the Supreme Court were driven by action of Amche Mollem supporters such as Julio, who spearheaded the campaign. He was a true son of the soil, who grew around the forests of Mollem. He had far greater foresight than degrees and specializations,a love for Goa like no other.”
Other speakers in his hounour said that because of Julio flashmobs, songs, banners, competitions, press conferences, field visits and presentations were possible. Whether it was national or international journalists wanting to cover the Mollem story or compiling important information for courts, Julio always took up the responsibility, and coordinated it all.
Nandini Dias Velho of Amchem Mollem said, “We miss him dearly. Goa will forever remain indebted to him for his warrior spirit. Every during his last days Julio was present on social media raising concerns about the issue. We can measure time but we cannot measure loss. It has been an entire trip round the sun without Julio.”
Capt Viriato Fernandes said, “It is difficult to understand how Julio went all around Goa getting together the youth and senior citizens. I’m at a loss for words. That evening we were praying for him and next moment I got a call from Orville that he had passed away.”
Fr. Bolmax Pereira, Parish Priest of Sancoale said the drawing competition which was started by Julio could not be completed due to his sad demise, so we had to continue what he had started. The Regina Mundi Alumni volunteered to sponsor the prizes and complete the competition.
Vice Chairman of NGO Goencho Ekvott, late Julio Cedric Aguiar responsibly ensured public awareness in the marginalised sector against the Tamnar Power Transmission Lines.
“He ensured that the Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) were taken to every nook and corner of the Western Ghats to fully comprehend the irreversible destruction that the three linear projects would cause to the flora and fauna. In fact, ‘Amche Mollem’ was his creation and was the link between Amche Mollem, Goencho Ekvott, Goa Foundation, the Youth of Goa (CYFC) to name a few.
