Team Herald
MARGAO: Even as the National Maritime Day was observed by Goa Seamen Association at Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex this morning, the absence of young and working seamen at the function was noted and lamented by some of the speakers.
Additional Collector Roncon Pereira who was the chief guest while recalling the hard times faced by older seamen advised that a fund be created in good times so that it can be used during the bad times and advised the seamen association to pursue the matter regarding the NUSI hospital that was functioning at Panzorconi in Cuncolim for many years.
While urging the youngsters to take interest in management of the association, he also laughed at the Rs 200 pension being given to seamen and said the association should demand an increase in this amount.
While assuring all help from the government, Roncon suggested that the office premises given to the Seafarers’ Cell at Matanhy Saldanha Administrative Complex be used for not only the organization but also to liaison with government departments and strongly advised that somebody or the other should always be present at the office to attend to the needs of the seamen.
Executive Committee member Gabriel Pinto lamented that the youngsters do not take interest in the affairs of the organization. “Even when asked to be a member the first question they ask is ‘What is the benefit for me?’”, he said.
Goa Seamen Association of India President Dixon Vaz in his welcome address thanked the government for giving them the office premises and listed out the issues taken up by the association including the getting back of the body of a dead Goan seaman after two months.
