He was speaking at the birth centenary celebrations of Prof Ana Julia Gonsalves Godinho organised by the Joy of Art Foundation.
Ribeiro’s wife Nelba Ribeiro and Joy of Art Foundation chairman Oscar Gonsalves were present on the dais.
Further, Ribeiro said, “Government officers can command respect from the general public. Officers should not consider themselves as bosses, but work as public servants. Job is service and if everyone works with zest, morality and interest, we can change the system and provide people with good administration.
“It is good to see that many Goans are still involved in agricultural activities,” he said and appreciated the work of a Don Bosco priest Fr George Quadros in the field of agriculture and for lifting less privileged sections of the society.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission is a good initiative but is being poorly implemented.
Citing an example of the Dharavi slum area in Mumbai, he said the government has constructed toilets in this slum, but the goondas in the areas are extorting money from the people for using the same.
He said, “We must not wait for government to do everything. If people come together, we can work wonders.” He called upon the Goans to come forward to help others as one must remember, service to humanity, is service to God.
Earlier Oscar Gonsalves welcomed the gathering.
Antonio Gonsalves, Damodar Mauzo, Joaquim Fernandes, Fr George Quadros and others were felicitated at the hands of Ribeiro.
Some meritorious students were also honoured.
