Team Herald
MARGAO: AAP leader and noted social activist Dr Oscar Rebello said, “partywill never compromise on its stand against politics of corruption, criminalism and communalism.
Explaining that ‘Goa Dialogue’ will help the AAP manifesto drafting exercise for the 2017 Assembly elections, Dr Rebello stressed that it’s a true ‘dialogue’ unlike Manohar Parrikar-style ‘my way or the highway’ monologue. Addressing a gathering in the Benaulim panchayat hall, he asked them to fearlessly express themselves to help AAP take up the real issues of Goa.
He further urged the gathering to halt the outsourcing of politics and village-level decision making on issues to the politicians.
Protection of heritage homes from the onslaught of indiscriminate and speculative real-estate development in Goa’s villages, particularly the coastal ones was discussed in detail.
Chenelle Rodrigues, a Colva resident suggested that existing Indian heritage legislations be invoked to protect “Goa’s architectural identity” from classless modern development such as road widening. Rodrigues rooted for returning to traditional use of mud and laterite for drains and gutters to ensure groundwater recharge.
Benaulim panch Royla Fernandes sought an overhaul of elementary and high-school education and added that school edifices, infrastructure, curriculum and teaching techniques in Goa desperately need rectification.
The Goa Board of Education seriously needs to borrow the good aspects of instruction adopted by CBSE and ICSE Boards, Fernandes further stated.
Earlier, AAP’s Benaulim constituency co-ordinator Neri Fernandes also spoke. Noted Konkani litterateur and hospitality entrepreneur Serafin Cotta moderated the discussions.
Neri was assisted by AAP co-ordinators of the seven constituent villages of Benaulim constituency.
George Fernandes of Varca called for restoring Salcete’s lifeline – River Sal, while
Shubert D’Silva, a resident of Carmona rooted for those dependent on the agrarian economy, especially diary farmers, whom, he said, get sub-standard feed supplies, both in the open market as well as through government-owned and operated supply chains.
In Curtorim, discussions were centered on preservation of Goa’s character and the need to scrap the current Regional Plan and redraft the same.
The perennial garbage imbroglio at Sonsodo also figured prominently as residents of constituent villages of Curtorim constituency including Geraldo Reverado discussed the solid waste and garbage disposal problem and solutions to the same.
Milagres, village surveyor spoke on eradicating double standards in the system The dialogue began with the inauguration of the Curtorim office by Fr Luis Pinto of St Alex Church, Curtorim.
