CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE
Photos taken exclusively for www.goa-world.com by Gordon Lobo
Text courtesy: Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter archives
Say 'Yes' to the `CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE'
It seems to be that time of the year when you're suddenly woken up to take stock. The unrest in your heart finds a motive for action, energizing your body with adrenalin. The voices inside you find a platform, and as you forge on this self discovery you find that there are people willing to listen. To lend a hand. Willing to go the extra mile to contribute towards a healthy, humane society. Every initiative starts with a 'Yes.' It's just a matter of time when conviction turns it into 'We Can.' That's how Wendell woke me up one early Sunday morning to tell me that we had to do, what we had to do for Goa. The time was now. The time was right. When I got to my email, there was a letter waiting from Margaret. Goa had had her share of rubbish upto her gills.
The people of Curca had had their share of filth shoved down their throat. Calangute-Candolim-Baga had no idea what to do with their waste. Panjim was gagging with the stench and Colvale ready and up in arms if another truck sneaked by with plastic and garbage for their hills. An initiative can turn into mass momentum if fueled by people power. Unfortunately, a section of the media has been more interested in 'snubbing' the issue rather than taking the problem to the streets and seeking immediate redressal. Garbage is not a `celebrity' issue. It affects the lives of the common man. Sure, it took a celebrity to bring the issue to the national forefront, even as we were getting pretty comfortable barking and getting back into the doghouse with no action. The mantra of any evolving community is the ability of its people to question authority. Because it takes more than just a government to keep the wheels of an economy grinding. This slow awakening is our first step towards declaring 'NO' to garbage. It has begun. It is a `Yes' to Clean Goa. And it's about time.
As Goa decks up yet again donning the war paint to host the 36th International Film Festival of India, no fancy cars and glittering dinners will quieten the disquiet stirring in the homes of the people of Curca and Colvale as more trucks head their way laden with the garbage of the city. The villagers do not care about the foreign delegates. They do not care about the awards. They do not care about stars canoodling under the palm trees or going ga-ga over prawn balchao. Surely, the film festival has given Goa the credit she deserves internationally as the unrivalled jewel of the country. She is, undoubtedly. But the needs of the people of Goa still continue to be basic. Safe drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, competitive education and a healthy environment for growth continue to be our priorities. The `Clean Goa Initiative' seeks to find solutions to diffuse Goa's humungous garbage time-bomb through a solution driven public campaign at the Mermaid Garden on October 17 (a peaceful rally will begin from the Church Square, 5.30pm onwards to the garden) even as the government struggles to find solutions to Goa's waste management. But does it only take a government to make a healthy State? What is our contribution in maintaining vigilance? Have we educated ourselves enough on how not to generate excess garbage? Are we brushing up on our civic responsibility as bonafide citizens? It is us, the people of Goa, who must now step forward and assist in finding solutions at our own grassroot levels through self-help community programmes and initiatives, since every government in Goa has failed to identify and work towards providing long term solutions that could buffer Goa's economic prosperity. You and I are equally responsible to ensure that we are alert of the ways in which the government spends the tax-payers money.
You and I must doubly ensure that the government spends wisely on providing basic infrastructure to enhance our quality of life. You and I must assist in building a society that seeks solutions. When we are vigilant at home can we rise up to being vigilant citizens of the world. The Chief Minister offers sincere assistance in solution finding, but it is the people of Goa with the help of the media (too much negative press lately only blinds readers towards more prejudices, instead of getting to the bottom of the problem), who must ensure that the government keeps its commitment strong (Goa needs garbage treatment plants and desperately). And that we all join hands and work toward building a healthy, safe Goa for the children of tomorrow. Time to join forces of conviction and selflessness to walk Goa proudly towards the 21st century.
(Heart 2 Heart - by Ethel Da Costa)
Margaret On Stage / Margaret / Ethel Phoning Someone Important
Ethel & Margaret Comparing Notes / Crowd / Crowd
Crowd / Cecil Waving Flanked By Jose & Ted / Cecil Flanked by Sons & Outflanked by Jose & Floriano
The Clean Goa Initiative-began with a petition written by two Goans seeking to draw attention at the Central Government level to the waste management crisis in Goa and requesting intervention, beginning with a rational and responsible waste management strategy for IFFI in Panjim this year.
The initiative, which also calls for the State government to appoint an independent committee of qualified individuals to identify key problem areas and recommend cost-effective solutions for the State at large, has become a growing proactive people's movement, endorsed by numerous Goa-based NGOs and activists, hundreds of Goans and non-Goan residents of Goa, as well as by a number of film professionals and opinion makers from all over the country who consider Goa a national treasure and want to help.
In culmination of the endorsement campaign, there will be a public demonstration of support for the Clean Goa Initiative in Panjim on October 17, 2005. The demonstration will begin with a solidarity march at 5:30 pm from the Panjim Church square to the Mermaid Garden.
This campaign event is co-ordinated by Wendell Rodricks, Margaret Mascarenhas, and Ethel Da Costa, along with Goa-based activists and NGOs, in the public interest. It is managed by Think Geek Media and Productions. The theme is Goa Waste Management Issues and Solutions. Speakers at the Mermaid Garden will include Patricia Pinto, Sandesh Prabhudesai, Sanjit Rodrigues, Roland Martins, Wendell Rodricks, Sandeep Jacques, and others. Chief Minister, Pratapsingh Rane, has been invited to address the public on the issue. A brief Q and A with the press will follow.
Citizens and villagers from all over Goa who are concerned and want to be better informed about this issue are encouraged to participate. Those who attend are requested to bring their own food and beverages to the event and to take their garbage away when they leave.
- Cecil Pinto
To,
Shri Jaipal Reddy Minister for Information,
Publicity & Culture Shastri Bhavan,
A Wing New Delhi - 110 001.
Subject: IFFI and lack of waste management infrastructure in Goa.
Dear Sir,
We are writing to you to draw attention to the deteriorating waste management crisis in Goa and the fear that the population influx generated by IFFI will exacerbate the existing problem to dangerous levels.
Background:
A few months ago, a wall of the unsegregated garbage dump in the village of Curca, where the city of Panjim was dumping, collapsed due to heavy rains, spewing waste into the village. In response, villagers all over Goa rose up in protest and so far have successfully impeded the municipalities of Panjim, Ponda and Mapusa from disposing their voluminous waste on village land. Dumping began along highways (see attached photos) and under the Panjim Patto Bridge. Subsequently, two petitions, one from the residents in and around the Patto area, and one from local activist Floriano Lobo, regarding the disastrous effects of the state and municipal authorities' willful disregard of the indiscriminate dumping were filed in the Mumbai High Court. They have been converted into PILs and are pending hearing.
Immediate Concerns:
The Goa State Government (one of the respondents in both PILs) has decided to hold the IFFI in Panjim for the second time, and successfully lobbied at the Centre to make Goa the permanent venue of the IFFI. The Municipal Corporation of Panjim has repeatedly complained that the State Government never consulted them on their capability in handling the waste issue with regard to IFFI since the inflow of both tourists and the local Goan population who attend events affects the garbage situation. Also the residents of the Kala Academy area suffer the burden of too many vehicles and people. Hence, concerned citizens feel the IFFI, planned for November, should not be held here until active measures are taken to identify and implement precisely how the waste generated by the IFFI in the city of Panjim will be managed, since already Panjim is incapable of handling its present waste output.
Heath Hazards
The lack of waste management infrastructure, has created a situation that is extremely dangerous to the health of the entire population of Goa as well as to visitors. If it continues, Goa will surely find itself in the position of Surat in 1994, which was struck with a plague epidemic. Cases of dengue (a disease hitherto unknown in Goa) have been reported (see press clips attached). Other diseases that occur under such conditions, particularly when water sources are contaminated, e-coli, viral hepatitis, cryptosporadiosis, and giardia infection. In addition medical waste from hospitals all over the state is often being dumped in the open.
Solutions ignored
A number of environment-friendly, cost effective waste management solutions have been repeatedly put forth to the Goa Government by local NGOs and even by some corporates, but successive Goa Governments have not seriously considered them. Recently the Goa Chief Minister admitted to Sunday Midday that there was a problem, but claimed that not enough of the public had come out forcefully on the matter. This is not really the case. Apart from the fact that villagers all over the state have protested, and petitions are being filed in the court, the local press has been reporting daily on the severity of the problem for months (at the national level, NDTV did a prime-time piece on the issue on September 20th). In addition, numerous individuals have written letters to editors, and met with and/or written to concerned government department heads and ministers (Urban development, Tourism, Environment, etc). No one in local government
can claim that the problem is not a serious one, or that the Goa government is unaware of its severity, or, in fact, that holding IFFI in Panjim will not compound the problem.
Please Help
Goa is a national treasure. It has the prerequisites for a model state-low density population, educated residents. We, concerned citizens and friends of Goa, for the most part believe that the IFFI and tourism is a good thing for Goa, but not under the present circumstances, without required waste management infrastructure. We ask that the Central Government take cognizance of the waste management problem and lend its support to induce the Goa Government to take the issue seriously and to take monitorable, visible steps to resolve it before it is too late. We also request that events for IFFI be for the delegates alone so that there is no problem for residents of Panjim. Please do not permit open-air screenings of films or art/music entertainment for the locals since crowds will add to the garbage problem. The local residents would be most happy if the best films of IFFI are screened for their benefit at INOX during the week after
the festival. Please intervene and convince the Goa Government to address the waste management issue by appointing an independent apolitical body to make the appropriate recommendations with immediate effect and to abide by those recommendations. We need your help.
Sincerely,
Margaret Mascarenhas, novelist, Goa
Wendell Rodricks, fashion designer, Goa
Shobhaa De, columnist, novelist, Mumbai
Saryu Doshi, art historian, Mumbai
Bal Mundkur, ad executive (retired), Goa
Nasseer Munjee, international govt. consultant, Goa
Remo Fernandes, musician, Goa
Heta Pandit, conservationist, Goa
Dayanita Singh, photographer, Goa
Claude Alvares, Director Goa Foundation, Goa
Desmond Nazareth, documentary film-maker, Goa/US Avtar Singh, novelist, Goa
Alexyz, cartoonist, Goa
Prava Rai, writer, Goa
Jerry Pinto, poet and journalist, Goa
Sudeep Chakravarti, novelist, Goa
Dean D'Cruz, architect, Goa
Norma Alvares, environmental lawyer, Goa
Vinni Timblo, hotelier, Goa etc, etc, etc.
Footnote by Cecil Pinto: I am a signatory to this campaign but was initially not very enthusiastic as the list appeared to be made up of 'celebrities' - who I have little or no connection with. My attitude was "Ok, it's for a good cause so let's just sign up.". I have just been on the phone with Margaret for more than an hour just now and found out from her that the initial signature campaign was done within severe time restraints and hence she and Wendell just got whoever they could in a hurry. A hundred signatures were needed - and obtained. Now starts the bigger campaign of actually collecting thousands of signatures to show the Government that this is not just the concern of a few celebrities but of everyone who feels for Goa. This particular campaign is specific to the garbage problem that will occur during the IFFI but the larger issue is the general garbage problem looming over Goa. The Goa Government is too busy with other 'political'
issues to see beyond their noses. It is time we ordinary folks do what is right and embarrass the Government into action. If we can get the attention of the entire country and the world to the garbage problem that the IFFI will cause then maybe, just maybe, it will also bring attention to the bigger garbage problem in Goa. A long journey begins with a single step. I urge you to add your signature to this appeal. We may not be celebrities but we have a voice too. Let's make it heard. If you are keen on a better, cleaner Goa just write your Name Surname, Occupation - Location and e-mail it to
Cheers!
Cecil Pinto
From: Muriel & Mario <anothergoa@...>
Date: Oct 11, 2005 7:54 PM
Subject: Clean Goa Initiative
To: Ulysses Menezes <uly334@...>
Dear Uly and all at Goa-World,
Here is a new initiative developing in response to all the
garbage generated on the garbage issue!
As far back as 1988, it was the Saligao Nagrik Kriti Samiti and
the Jagrut Goenkaranchi Fouz that raised garbage as serious
problems of Modern Mass Tourism and a consumerist society. The
2 activist groups were scorned at for being a bunch of
anti-development, loony, false prophets shouting themselves
hoarse in the wilderness.
At the turn of 21 century again it was Saligao, this time in the
form of the Saligao Civic and Consumer Cell that made garbage a
burning issue in the State. After battling at all levels, we
have today a largely ineffective High Court order that prevents
our hill from being the official dump site of the entire coastal
belt.
Now this new initiative is really noteworthy, because it has
people from across the state and from all walks of life who have
declared war on garbage. This appeal is from the campaign
leaders to join the struggle in whatever small way you can.
Our recommendation: *Go for it!*
In solidarity with everyone who is battling garbage, especially
the forces that create it - a consumerist culture and society.
Muriel & Mario.
Everybody!
Because of the great response, we are extending this endorsement campaign for another week and will forward your names to Delhi, where the letter has already been delivered. Please circulate it among your friends and family in Goa, Goa residents and among Goans outside Goa too. They don't need to sign the actual letter, just send me an email at margaret.mascarenhas@... with "yes on clean goa initiative" in the subject line, and in the body of the email: their name, occupation, residential location.
And get ready for the Clean Goa Initiative meet at the mermaid garden, Panjim. Stay tuned for details.
thanks for your support,
margaret.mascarenhas
Fashion guru all set to give Goa a facelift
From Devika Sequeira / DH News Service Panaji: 16th Oct 2005
Designer Wendell Rodricks’ mind is swirling with ideas these days, that have little to do with chiffons or haute couture. Upset with the crumbling infrastructure and civic amenities in his home state where tourism and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) take precedence over all else, Mr Rodricks is throwing his celeb weight behind the campaign to “clean up Goa.”
On Monday, the designer and supporters of the Clean Goa Initiative such as writer Margaret Mascarenhas will be leading a demonstration in the capital to highlight the state’s waste management crisis.
Mr Rodricks says the government must first focus on the needs of local citizens and the civic infrastructure, rather than waste public funds on entertaining film stars during IFFI. “Our medical facilities are in bad shape and garbage is a huge problem in Goa. Let the government tackle these first,” he told Deccan Herald. Mr Rodricks was a special invitee on the state government’s nodal committee overseeing IFFI but resigned his position recently. “It can bring in good business for Goa. I object however, to the wasteful spending and the mess it caused in the city last year. We can’t have the everyday lives of local residents disrupted.”
Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane has promised the event would be less low-key this November, he said. “A film festival is serious business for the buying, selling and promotion of films. It should be handled professionally like a trade fair. “I am for the film festival in Goa, but please tone down the party image,” he said.
Press release
for www.goa-world.com
The Clean Goa Initiativebegan with a petition written by two Goans seeking to draw attention at the Central Government level to the waste management crisis in Goa and requesting intervention, beginning with a rational and responsible waste management strategy for IFFI in Panjim this year.
The initiative, which also calls for the State government to appoint an independent committee of qualified individuals to identify key problem areas and recommend cost-effective solutions for the State at large, has become a growing proactive people's movement, endorsed by numerous Goa-based NGOs and activists, hundreds of Goans and non-Goan residents of Goa, as well as by a number of film professionals and opinion makers from all over the country who consider Goa a national treasure and want to help.
In culmination of the endorsement campaign, there will be a public demonstration of support for the Clean Goa Initiative in Panjim on October 17, 2005. The demonstration will begin with a solidarity march at 5:30 pm from the Panjim Church square to the Mermaid Garden.
This campaign event is co-ordinated by Wendell Rodricks, Margaret Mascarenhas, and Ethel Da Costa, along with Goa-based activists and NGOs, in the public interest. It is managed by Think Geek Media and Productions. The theme is Goa Waste Management Issues and Solutions. Speakers at the Mermaid Garden will include Patricia Pinto, Sandesh Prabhudesai, Sanjit Rodrigues, Roland Martins, Wendell Rodricks, Sandeep Jarkis, and others. Chief Minister, Pratapsingh Rane, has been invited to address the public on the issue. A brief Q and A with the press will follow.
Citizens and villagers from all over Goa who are concerned and want to be better informed about this issue are encouraged to participate. Those who attend are requested to bring their own food and beverages to the event and to take their garbage away when they leave.
- Goa World.Com Team (Kuwait/Worldwide) joins the compaign event.
http://www.goa-world.com/
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