SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
VASCO: Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott(GRE) is hosting two-day annual general body meeting of National Fishworkers Forum’s(NFF), in Margao.
The NFF and GRE paid tributes to Com T Peter, late general secretary, NFF and late Matanhy Saldanha, founder and former chairperson
In its officials press statement, the NFF stated that the leaders from fishworkers unions spread across nine coastal States along with other organisations and supporters have come together in the State for the annual general body meeting of the conglomerate of unions, the National Fishworkers Forum.
On Friday, following the COVID-19 protocols, the group visited the statue of late Matanhy Saldanha at Cansaulim to pay homage and as a mark of respect of the phenomenal work done by him for the fishworkers community in the State. The NFF leaders garlanded the statue and raised slogans of solidarity and strength with the fishworkers struggles and also remembered the national level leaders Fr Thomas Kocherry, Harekrishna Debnath, Rambhau Patil, N D Koli, Matanhy Saldanha and Com T Peter.
Narendra Patil, chairperson, NFF led the group accompanied by representatives of 14 fisher unions spread across the coastal States of India.
While paying his tribute, Patil said that these leaders will be remembered always and their legacy will be carried forward. Leaders from Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh echoed the same.
Alina Saldanha, MLA of Cortalim also participated at the garlanding ceremony and stated that she is with the fishworker community and their struggles.
Expressing their grief, the leaders resolved to take forward his ideas and perspectives and strengthen the organisation. They reiterated the slogan Peter often raised, “We Shall Fight, We Shall Win”.
The AGM also passed a resolution in order to facilitate an educational fellowship in the name of Com T Peter, which will be given for youth belonging to the fishworker community.
The NFF mentioned that the organisation will discuss all issues across eight coastal States and will finalise further course of action against all destructive projects planned to destroy livelihood and coastal ecology.
