Team Herald
PANJIM: In an unprecedented event, people from across Goa made it to the Garcia de Orta garden, Panjim on Thursday evening, seeking to include their issues in the People’s Manifesto and force politicians to listen to their voice.
The largest contingent came from Sanguem, from the ward that is opposing the erection of the distiller at Amdai. However, activists also came in from Valpoi, Caurem, Cavelossim and Cansaulim.
While 30 organisations had decided to accept the Goenchi Mati Movement’s proposal to have a public rally, by the time the rally actually took place, the number of organisations had crossed 50. GMM said that civil society organisations they did not know of came asking for their names to be added to the list for the People’s Manifesto.
Speaking to Herald, Goa Foundation Director Claude Alvares said, “We are mostly getting manifestos from political parties which are not worth because they do not follow their own manifesto. Today we had asked all groups to come to the meet and put forward their problems. I was surprised to see that almost 50-plus groups landed here.”
There were no speeches made. Three speakers (Dadu Mandrekar, Miguel Braganza and Alvares) merely conveyed the substance of the issues facing the organisations that had come for the rally. People were encouraged to move around the garden and talk to the social activists. The organisers said this proved to be attractive as the boring feature of political meetings – endless speeches – was avoided.
He added, “Based on all the discussions and problems put forward by the groups, resolutions will be passed with which we will produce a citizen’s manifesto which will be will be sent to all political parties as well as candidates. Today they have put forward their issues and by tomorrow we will draft them.”
The citizen’s manifesto once drafted will be sent to all political parties and independent candidates asking them to include these critical issues in their manifestoes for the February 4 elections.
The rally was enlivened by the antics and mimicry of standup comedian Manohar Bingui from Ponda and satirical songs by Francis de Tuem. The function was compered by Felly Gomes while a panel discussion allowed six young voters (five women and one male) to voice their feelings about the coming elections. What turned the atmosphere into a celebration of people power turned out to be hundreds of balloons embossed with the Goenchi Mati logo that were released on completion of the Goenchi Mati pledge.
Among those who came to the rally were Ramesh Gauns, Wendell Rodricks, Floriano Lobo, Valmiki Naik.
Some of the organisations which participated in discussions were Goenchi Mati Movement, Goa Foundation, Goa Bachao Abhiyan, Amdai Villagers Committee, Betul Villagers Committee, St Anthony’s Tenants and Mundkar Association, Tiracol, Quelossim Villagers Committee, Goencho Ramponkarancho Ekvott ,Caurem Villagers Committee, Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO), Council for Social Justice and Peace, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim and Cansaulim Civic and Consumer Forums, United for Mother Goa, All Goa Civil Society Groups and Associations, Various Pastoral Councils, Nirmal Vishwa, Mission Bypass, Sanvordem, GHAG, Goa Movement for Special Status, Federation of Rainbow Warriors and AAAAG (Anti-Casino).
The rally was put together by the Goenchi Mati team which included Rahul Basu, Shrayragi Israni, Roxanne Coutinho, Vishal Rawlley, Joana and Tamer Pyres, Andrea, Andrea Rodricks, Lina Vincent. Film teams from Video Volunteers and William Rodrigues filmed the entire event.
