MARGAO: “Goa can be a model for the development of the nation but what we need is a positive mindset to develop the idea of India through the idea of Goa,” said Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardessai while addressing the people of South Goa at the Independence Day celebration at Margao.

Admitting that many Goans were forced to migrate because of lack of opportunities, he said the government was now bringing about reforms to provide opportunities to the people and asserted that the reforms have to be seen with a positive mind.

“Today social media is being misused to spread negativism and the fear is that if this continues there may not be any Goans left to take advantage of the opportunities created by the government,” he said adding that the introduction of TDR was an attempt to keep Goa green.

“Goa has to be clean, green, smart while also retaining its heritage,” he said explaining that Swach Bharat would help keep it clean, smart city concept would make it smart while the TDR was an attempt to keep it green.

He said while unity in diversity was the foundation of the idea of India, communal harmony, protecting environment and the rich heritage is the foundation of Idea of Goa which, he said, needs to be replicated all over the country just as there is a demand to introduce the common civil code in whole of the country.

Vijai said that the government was coming up with laws and reforms after consulting all stakeholders including the dissenting voices. “But once a decision is taken in the temple of democracy which is the legislative assembly, all have to accept it and abide by it,” he said.

Claiming that he has been criticised heavily on the social media, he said he was committed to develop Goa without reducing its green cover. “Being the Town and Country Planning Minister and the Agriculture Minister, it is by responsibility to ensure that the green cover is not reduced in the name of development,” he said.

Students of Damodar English High School, Model English High School and Adarsh High School sang patriotic songs in Konkani, Marathi and Hindi, respectively while students of Mahila & Nutan High School sang the national anthem at the end of the programme.

Earlier, Vijai unfurled the National tricolor before the commencement of the programme and also inspected the guard of honour.

Former minister Avertano Furtado was the only dignitary present for the function, while not a single MLA from Salcete was present. Vijai while asserting that Opposition has to be a part of national celebrations said he would have to check the reason why the MLAs were not present.