Fishing Report from Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, India

Aghanasini river in Devgi village from where Portuguese ships loaded spices to navigate into Europe

I am on visit to Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka coast past two days to get to know the coast and fishing communities. There are many river connected to Arabian Sea in this district. Four major rivers include Kali, Gangavali, Aghanashini and Shravati. Each of these river banks hosts fishing communities just like Arabian Sea coast does. I had closer interactions with fishing communities representatives at Devgi village on the banks of river Aghanishini river. This river supplies sand to real estate lobby. Fishing communities themselves are involved in sand mining. Reasons for this scenario needs further investigation.

There are around 80 fishing cannoes in the village. Fishing activities are carried on in Aghanashini river as well as in Arabian Sea. Ambiga fishing community has major presence in the village. Their significant marker is throwing of casting net into the river waters by rotating above the head with remarkable ease to catch fish. There are many more problems that village is facing including ignorance of government schemes for fishing communities as well as laws governing fishing communities.

This village of Devgi and the neighboring villages is major labour supplier to Trawlers in Goa and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. They suffer acute exploitation. Often when Trawlers are not getting fish in their nets then owners of Trawlers put workers under stress. This leads of fights on board Trawlers. There are often incidents go unreported of incidents when workers are beaten up and thrown into the Arabian Sea waters from Goa Trawlers. Trawler owners have their Union in Goa but they don't allow workers on Trawlers to form the Union. This makes position of workers very weak. This situation requires adequate attention and way out.

Also found that people come to near-by Gokarna Beach to perform rites of purification to attain peace to the soul of their departed family member. After the rite clothes on their bodies are discarded on the beach and new ones are put on. Old clothes gets washed into the Arabian sea water. Most of these clothes has plastics in them. Lots of clothes are lying scattered on the beach too which needs to be taclked and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) enforced for clothes as well as other material disposed in waters. It's gradually turning into an issue that needs attention and sensitive yet decisive intervention.

Glass bottles, broken bottles and other plastics items are gradually crowding the sea bed and river beds and neither community nor state response to reverse the situation is forth coming. There is no awareness on SSF Guidelines, Fisheries laws or ILO Convention 188 amongst fishing communities. Educational Institutions, Panchayats and Fishing organisations representatives who were present at the meeting are requested to work as team to build up awareness and form the Union of fishing communities in North Canara district in various talukas.

Response received at the meeting as well as with meeting with individuals has been overwhelming and promising.

I did share information, vision  and perspectives from NPSSFW experience over the past eight years from 2016 till 2024 in a snapshot with examples from various Geographies of India.

My visit was ably facilitated by my colleague Prashant Ramappa of NPSSFW to whom I remain deeply grateful.

Dr. Sebastiao Rodrigues

National Council Member,

NPSSFW

29 October 2024

Sand Mining Menace Back Again

Confirmed reports has just come in about massive illegal sand mining in Mandovi river in Goa at night near Divar island. We are not sure as to which politicians and police officers are involved in the sandy shady deals.

Sand mining is damaging healthy river fishing environment. Nearly 10 trucks loads of sand is stocked as of now at Chorao Mandovi river bank. Sand is extracted in cannoes manually with outboard motors as navigation enforcers.

When Living With Daily Rape Threats

Another Moumita Debnath tragedy in the making in Goa?

By Lucio Mascarenhas, Sangolda, Goa

+91 90829 78801

A neighbor attacked my family & home in Goa, on Oct 19, 2024, while I was in Bombay; he publicly said to send my 12 years old daughter out so that he could rape her. Oct 26, I found that he & an accomplice had lured an underage girl to a lodge & gang-raped her, Oct 4, 2024. I don't have direct evidence, nor info on the victim. Lodge's CCTV, I'm told, is retained for 30 days. If I report to cops, they will usually turn it against me. Yet, I'm against the idea of allowing a serious crime like this to pass unpunished. Oct. 27, I was told that the Perpetrator had boasted that he would rape all three of my daughters. I can't stay here indefinitely, but my wife is terrified. I want the police to arrest the Perp, but today's the 10 day, & no punitive action as yet. In absence of arrest, main Perpetrator Damodar Naik @ Vishant, & secondary Perpetrator Arun Naik are emboldened.

They're intimidating visitors to my house, even the electrician who came to repair my ceiling fan!

The Divar Manifesto

On 24 September 2024 several hundred people from Divar island submitted petition to the Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch to hold urgent extraordinary Gram Sabha to discussion several issues that calls of a seat at the table.

Petition was also served on Director of Panchayat as well as Tiswadi Block Development Officer (BDO). BDO responded quickly the next day on 25th September 2024 and directed Navelim-Goltim Panchayat to act under section 5 of Goa Panchayat Raj Act 1994.

Sarpanch of Goltim-Navelim Panchayat however has got Secretary Tukaram J. Naik to address the letter to the residents of Goltim-Navelim Panchayat that single issue of seminal importance was already addressed by the extraordinary Gram sabha called by Panchayat on 29th September 2024 even before villagers submitted the letter.

Even though single issue was addressed at the Gram Sabha involving 20 swiss cottages eco-tourism project near the Our Lady of Piety Church in land aquired from the communidade half a century ago the other 14 issues did not find the space to deliberate, discuss and decide upon at that Gram Sabha. They are therefore lingering as an open wounds of Divar Island and Goltim- Navelim Panchayat is totally responsible for this tragedy.

Indeed it is tragic case where in those who were elected to serve public are bossing over under delusion that they are masters. Ring leader of this autocratic gang is none other than Goltim-Navelim Sarpanch who is indulging in disrespecting Public requests thereby preventing empowered and informed development of Divar Island.

As a protest against the Goltim-Navelim Panchayat decision not to call for extraordinary Gram Sabha dealing with Village issue we share here all the 15 issues with you so that they are not pushed under the carpet by the Panchayat but remain alive in public memory to inflame daring yet wise actions as Divar Manifesto:

1. Diwar being declared as a Tourism Village by the Goa Tourism Department, under the implementation of “Tourist Villages Development Scheme 2021”  to be rejected outright .

2. Housing Projects in our Village to be strictly dealt with considering the carrying capacity of our Village.

3. Pilot Project for Mangrove Restoration in our Village on cultivable Khazan lands.

4. Eco Tourism Project by Goa Tourism Department in their property next to the Our Lady of Piety Church.

5. Oppose the construction of bridge linking Divar Island to Vanxim Island as announced by Hon’ble Chief Minister at the recent Bonderam festival.

6. Enforcement of the outer bunds of Goltim and Navelim by planting mangroves along the river banks to be taken up on war footing by utilizing the services of Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority so as to prevent breaches in bunds.

7. The Water Sports activities approved by the Goa Tourism Department along our Village boundary in the river Mandovi

8. Demolition of illegal construction of MRF shed in Panchayat property without leaving the mandatory setback in the vicinity of Lord Redeemer’s Chapel. 

9. Filing of FIR against unknown persons for the unauthorized and rampant land filling taking place with construction debris specially along road side with the Panchayat authorities remaining silent spectators.  The land be restored to its original.

10. Inundation of Khazan lands in Goltim-Navelim by saline water.

11. Progress Report Card alongwith the list of Committee Members of various Village Development Committees of the Panchayat appointed for the betterment of our Village be placed before the Gram Sabha for discussion.

12. The sorry state of Public Utilities in our Village including regulated Public water supply, frequent Electricity failures, Speed Breakers and erection of Traffic Sign Boards, frequent Ferry breakdowns, non-availability Doctor during nights and other essential public utilities.

13. Mandatory registration of Migrant population residing in our village in rental premises.

14. Review of completed/ongoing projects specially those undertaken by outsiders and approved by TCP Department as the functioning of the TCP Department itself is under scanner.

15. Action on illegal encroachment seen on land owned by this Panchayat on Ribandar side next to the Divar-Ribandar ferry jetty.

Each of the above points are very important and deserve place on the agenda of Gram Sabha. Avoiding to hold Gram Sabha disrespecting hundreds of signatories indicate ulterior motives of the Sarpanch and other members supporting him including those from RSS.

People of Divar must take charge of the destiny of our beautiful island and not allow Mario Pinto and his minions to take islanders hostages with throttled voices. They must note that the day people will rise up their status will be powerless. Time to assert is now! Stranglehold of the nasty ones deserves to be shattered asunder now! We have nothing to lose except our misery and years! How long single Pinto to dominate Divar? How long he is to insult the islanders?

Pilgaon villagers checkmates mining loot of Goa

Villagers of Pilgaon, Bicholim stopped Vendanta limited mining trucks from plying on public road last night. They are permitted ore transportation upto 6.00 pm but last night it went past 7.30 pm. Backed by local Panchayat people came on road and blocked mining trucks from operating on Public Roads. It is very important steps by Pilgaon people to confront corporate loot of Goa.

Call to halt Iron Ore transportation on Public Road at leading to Sarmanas Ferry point

Risky Sarmanas road on 19 October 2024

Bharat Mukti Morcha is deeply concerned about risky situation developed on the Sarmanas road due to unsafe transportation of iron ore on public road leading to ferry point.

Iron ore transportation is being carried on from Vedanta Mines at Bicholim Mineral Block I causing Public Health hazards. Following spillage of ore on public road movement of vehicles and pedestrians has turned increasing risky.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls for immidiate halt to ore transportation by mining company using Public Road leading to Sarmanas Ferry point.

Public Hearing as mechanism for Public Hostage: reflections on Cudnem Mineral Block VII

On 18 October 2024 Public Hearing for 75.30 ha of land for Cudnem Mineral Block VII was held at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhelim. Here are few reflections:

1. Absence of Project Proponent: Project Proponent (PP) Vedanta Limited is required to remain present during the entire proceedings of Public Hearing to answer the queries of Public on the spot as per the law. However in this case PP was absent. The absence of PP was confirmed by Dr. Shamila Monteiro the member-secretary, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) when the query was raised by Dr. Sebastiao Rodrigues, Convenor, Bharat Mukti Morcha ( Goa Unit) during his deposition. This means even though Public was speaking required presence of PP was not there to hear and respond. This procedural error renders entire Public Hearing process invalid. It is not known as to why North Goa district administration and Goa State Pollution Control Board followed faulty procedures. There were many requests asking for the presence of PP including one to provide definition of "seasonal nallah" that finds mention in EIA report prepared by Mineral Engineering Services based in Bellari, Karnataka. Villagers contented that such "seasonal nallah" doesn't exist on ground in mining lease and the flow of refered water stream is perennial and not seasonal. Hence reference "seasonal nallah" is an absolute fraud.

2. Invalid lease: It came out clearly through presentation of Sadanand Malik, former Minister in Goa Government who spoke powerfully for 30 minutes that the auctioned mining lease itself is invalid as Cudnem Communidade to whom the land belongs has not been consulted at all. Why mining leases are granted bypassing jurisdictions of Communidades in Goa? Land Revenue Code 1968 does not apply to Communidade land and extension of its Jurisdiction over Communidade lands in Goa is a mischievous act with ulterior agendas of undermining authority of village Republics that pre-dates begining of Portuguese rule from 1510. There has been across the board aggression against Communidade authorities and intervention at this Public Hearing by Sadanand Mallik is a silver lining.

3. Ten minutes per speaker: This is an arbitrary rule that has no basis in laws governing EIA Public Hearings in India. The Kudnem EIA has clearly revealed that the life of this mine is 20 years and the life of mining lease is 50 years. It is absurd that 10 minutes time is given per speaker is ridiculous to the core and reflects how Goa administration is in stiffled state of affairs by mining companies including Chairman of GSPCB being an ex-employee of Sesa Goa, subsidiary of Vedanta Limite who is a PP here. Entire system that is created is meant to favour mining company and Public participation of ten minutes inputs is a cruel joke. In this context we need to lauch resistence against these colonial practices afresh. It's a clear take away from the Public Hearing. Dr. Shamila Monteiro made exception to Sadanand Malik and allowed him to speak for half an hour till she herself was sent a note of warning from the behind the scenes actors. It's was all observed by Public. 

4. Aggression on Forest: 5.36 ha of Forest land is sought to be diverted to mining. Application is moved to the Conservator of Forest for the approval of land conversion. This trend of diverting Forest land fir mining purpose is dangerous and must be opposed. Goa has already lost huge amount of land for mining and several other projects and even the Indian Judiciary at the highest level has betrayed people of Goa on this count as evident from the way Forest land was directed and legally sanctioned by India Supreme Court led by none other than Justice Chandrachud himself who pronounced two contradictory judgements within span of few weeks. Judiciary is under control of deep State and that's only explanation as to why Justice Chandrachud betryed people of Goa and allowed Mopa Forest to be slaughtered. His role under reference will never be forgotten. This attitude of Supreme Court has shaken confidence of Public in Supreme Court as protector of Goa's Forest from projects like Airports etc. Truly despairing state of affairs. This has provided mining companies etc to go against Goa's forest even more aggressive. 

5. Water guzzlers: Need for 95,000 litres of water is per day for this mineral block VII as per EIA report presented. Can Goa afford to provide such a huge quantities of water for Mines?  Few weeks ago closeby another Public Hearing took place for Jindals - JSW Mines in Kudnem. What is the total combined water requirement of the two Mines? No data is available. Nevertheless the impact will be fully felt on ground on ecology and people.

6. Siltation of Agricultural lands:

There is already 3.5 meters thick layer of mining silt in agricultural lands in villages like Surla within mining lease due to irresponsible approach of Dempos as well as Sesa Goa, a subsidiary of PP and this EIA report has warned that further siltation will take place due to run off from the mining pits.

7. Highest level of Environmental Sensitivity: From the EIA report itself it is clearly noticed that there has been large number of rivers, lakes and wetlands within 10 kms buffer zone of ten kilometers. Only the maniacs can think of continuing mining of these lands.

8. Neglect of cumulative impact: Goa Government as well as Central Government is entertaining separate EIA reports for each of the  mineral blocks by single Bellary based consultancy firm named Mineral Engineering Services headed by M.S. Raju. Through their enormous influence they are committed to facilitate dismemberment and bleeding of Goa's soil for next half a century. They are carrying on separate EIAs for each of the mining blocks. This hides the situation where combined felt impact of different mining blocks could be calculated and projected. Cumulative mining impact studies are essential for Goa rather than separate one. This is so because of small Size of Goa 0.11% of India. Neglect of cumulative impact assesment is dangerous for the Goa in all ways - ecological, economic, social, political, demographic and cultural.

What is missing from the entire process is that there is no cumulative EIA for the entire State of Goa in terms of water consumption, water pumping out from the pits, siltation of Agriculture, Air pollution, ground water disruption, Damage to Public Health, Impact on traffic, Impact of sound pollution etc. 

9. Heatless EIA Team: We don't understand as to why Goa University and NIO are not entrusted to the tasks of preparing EIAs and some coglomorate from Karnataka is given this task for mining in Goa. There is not a single Goan in the team that prepared EIA and hence has the team has no interest of Goa at heart. The entire process of EIA preparation is colonial in nature. Merely having an office address at Dona Paula, Goa doesn't absolve Mineral Engineering Services of criminal intent to facilitate destruction Goa through mining. So far they have prepared EIA for all the Mineral Blocks Public Hearings held, so far VII.

10. The Way ahead: Current situation in Goa is such that People and ecology of Goa is held hostage even as Goa is host to minerals - iron ore, manganese, bauxite, sand. What are the options before hostages to move towards Freedom? This question needs to be resolved and needs concerted efforts, needs dialogues, needs conversations at various levels. This note is an attempt towards this direction, towards liberation. Let's go for it! Do your bit! Think through! Not so difficult! Always Possible! 

With heart in our chest, Care in our mind, Direction to our feet, let's move! Step by step towards victory!

Ecological sacrifice for mining: case of Cudnem Mineral Block VII in Goa

Its unbelievable that Goa Government as created mining lease Cudnem block VII with 5.3612 ha of forest land within. These are the times of acute ecological crisis and such disgust to note that Goa's forest is on the way go for Vedanta, British mining company.

Cudnem mineral block consisting of 75.30 ha of land is going for Public Hearing today 18 October 2024 at 10.00 am at Ravindra Bhavan, Sanquelim for both mining of the ore as well as beneficiation plant which is essential environmentally dirty bussiness of washing of the iron ore extracted from an open cast mining pit.

Mining lease covers Sattari-Bicholim border villages of Honda, Sonshi and Cudnem and have already experienced mining tragedy for several decades.

EIA and EMP reports put out in Public domain by GSPCB itself has observations that are damaging. The entire location of the proposed mining activities are in ecologically highly sensitive area and it have several watery features.

Para 3.3 outlines how many rivers, nallas, dams, lakes etc flow from distance close to the mining lease:

"Water Bodies   (Note: There are other several Water Bodies within 10 kms buffer area)  Harvalem water fall 1.65 km, Cudnem River 0.23 km, Mandovi River 3.88 km, Valvanti River 3.95 km, Anjuem Dam 9.72 km, Bicholim River 9.30 km, Mhadai River 7.32 km, Seasonal Nalla Near Khodginum Village 1.70 km, Seasonal Nalla within the Mineral Block, Within the Mineral Block Area PP Shall maintain 50 m buffer Dhakul, Lake 3.95 km, Taleshwar Lake 3.90 km Crocodile Lake 4.71 km, Mandodari Lake 5.76 km,  Batwadi lake 6.87 km, Ajobachi talee Lake 7.84 km, Banana Water fall Zarme 8.00 km, Cumbarjua Canal 8.08 km, Aerekere Lake 9.08 km, Advoi Nalla 8.00 km, Ragada River 9.6 km."

Wetlands too are listed:

"Navelim (Not Notified) 1.90 Betal Temple Lake (Draft notified) 8.86 km, Kolamwada Lake (Draft Notified) 5.50 km, Vijayadurga Lake (Notified) 7.91 km, Banastari 9.49 km."

Impact on ground water is noted at para 4.7.2:

"The mining operations shall intersect the ground water table as the deepest mine workings in the mining plan period is -10.5 mts. Therefore, it requires major pumping  operations."

EIA report is categorical about Impact on wetlands at para 4.8.5:

"There are few wet lands present within the study area of 10 kms radius. The nearest wetlands to the mineral block area are Navelim (IBA) : 1.90 kms, Betal Temple Lake (Draft notified) -8.86 Km Kolamwada Lake (Draft Notified )  -5.50 km Vijayadurga Lake (Notified) -7.91 Km, Banastari -9.49 Km

Major impacts of mining on wetlands are anticipated:

"Destruction of wetland habitat:

Mining can indirectly damage the Habitat & environment.
 Water pollution: Mining can pollute surface and groundwater with chemicals like heavy metals i.e., Iron, Manganese, and toxic metals.
 Degradation of growth conditions: Mining can degrade the conditions for growing wood, land vegetation, and water flora and fauna.
 Bird’s migration: Mining can cause wild species to migrate and reduce their numbers.
 Aquatic Life : Mining can also effect the aquatic life
 Reduction of wild-growing plants: Mining can reduce the number of wild-growing plants.
 Water pollution

Impact on population in buffer zone (Page 133) covered under para 4.9.1 as under:

Majorly water pollution will be the suspended matter which flow from the mine during rainy season into the nearby nallahs. There is one Seasonal nalla within Mineral Block
1. Cudnem river – 0.23 km
2. Harvalem Water falls – 1.65 km.

Major Health Impact due to dust on Habitation warned:

Respiratory diseases due to dust Skin diseases due to pollution/ dust etc.

4.9.5 Impact on cropping patterns (Page 135) is familiar admittance:

The mining activities may impact agriculture due to air pollution, flowing of silt in agricultural land.

Para 6.3.5.1 notes about ground water levels:

"Water levels in wells at varying distances all around the project area shall be monitored every month." This is major blow from Vedanta Limited will come onto ground water of the locality. It's huge price to pay and must never be allowed.

Para 6.4 of EMP has brief note about Reporting Schedule:

"The environmental monitoring report will be sent to Goa State Pollution Control Board on a monthly basis and MoEF&CC & CPCB on a six-monthly basis. Copies of the reports will be maintained at the Mine and will be made available to the concerned inspecting authorities like Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), GSPCB, MOEF &CC etc." It's clear that Public will have no access to the monitored reports while Impact will have to be faced by public.

Table 3.19 has a column titled Pre-mining use and area of land use of the mining lease of the total 75.30 ha. It has detail break up data of land use. Of this three items are significant:
1. Degraded by Pits & Excavation 19.757 ha
2. Degraded by Dumps and Material Standing 14.5936 ha
3. Covered under mine infrastructure 1.9582 ha

Together the above three items totals 36.12 ha which is more than 50% of mining lease minus 5.3612 ha of land under forest. So even though there is claim of pre-mining use the land is already used for mining.

Para 2.6.4 of EIA details out sourcing of daily requirements of 95 KLD for mining purpose. Daily 10 KLD will be sourced from buffer villages wells. Closest 5 kms radius buffer zone village list given as under:

1. Poriem
2. Podocem
3. Arvelem
4. Virdi
5. Sanquelim
6. Amona
7. Navelim
8. Surla
9. Bonus
10. Pissurlem
11. Honda
12. Valvai
13. Velguem
14. Saleli
15. Morlem
Life of the mine mentioned in EIA as 20 years and life of the lease is 50 years. This means all the above mentioned 15 villages will be sucked of water directly daily for decades to come. Is this sacrifice worth doing for the sake of profit of single mining company?

Vedanta has put in its application to Forest department for conversion of forest land to mining purpose. It has also applied to Water Resources Department to pump water out from existing mining pit that was originally operated by Dempos till sold off to Sesa Goa, a subsidiary company of Vedanta.

Vedanta has carried on need based survey for SC/ST population in buffer zone of 10 kms but usurped SC land within mining leased hence its a stolen land and litigations are in the court of law even though EIA report denies this fact.

Cudnem mineral Block VII is one more step towards Goa's ecological destruction through mining blunders.

Goa is too precious and worth fighting for, worth burning mid-night lamp for the sake of life with dignity and freedom. Let's go forth boldly!

Towards Achievable Peace Agenda in Goa

Subhas Velingkar, chief RSS functionaries in Goa is booked under section 299 BNS 2023 at Bicholim Police Station last night after protests in Margao and on online platforms against his hateful speech three days ago in Bicholim. Speech involved controversial statements on St. Francis Xavier's incorrupt body at the Basillica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa.

His Konkani Speech was uploaded online and made available in public domain invoking widespread disapproval of his controversial positions that included demand for DNA test of St. Francis Xavier's "corpse" and shifting of his remains from Goa to Spain. Velingkar who has been active in brahmin-defence organisation known as RSS is known for his spiteful speeches directed towards religious controversies.

RSS was set up century ago as a militant cover providing buffer to Brahamin caste people as its original hidden agenda. They wear khaki uniforms, short pants, lathi in hand and hitler salute at their parade grounds. It's top leadership always stays with Brahmin males whose DNA doesn't match with any other caste in India indicating that they are ancient foreign invaders in India, formed graded inequality by way of Varna system and were always opposed to Dr. B.R.Ambedkar. DNA study was carried on decade ago by team of International Scholar led by Michael Bamshad of Utah University and research findings put out in public domain.

And as per demand of Subhas Velingkar dead Saint with foreign DNA cannot rest in India as Goecho Saib due to nationality question how can brahmin males with DNA that doesn't match with any other males in India continue to reside in India? Hon. Waman Meshram has been raising this issue across India over the past one decade and DNA of Brahmins and their foreign origin is already well established beyond doubt. The point is just because Brahmin male DNA are proved to be foreign to India should demand be raised to send brahmins outside India's borders to places in the World where their DNA matches? How would Subhas Velingkar and his RSS will respond if demand like this is raised when their organisation itself is founded and perpetuated for the safety and defence of Brahmins?

Nationality issue of Goa is well articulated by Supreme Court of India as "annexed through conquest" even though it is trumpeted as Liberation by the likes of Subhas Velingkar.

RSS has numerous offshoot organisations and BJP is one of them through with brahminical agenda is sought to be pushed on. It recruits its caders from lower castes, brainwashed thoroughly and released in society to create communal tensions.

There are historical findings that St. Francis Xavier himself was persecuted by brahmins during his lifetime. One night when pursued St. Francis Xavier hid on top of the tree at night. He has performed miracle of bringing dead person to life in order to win the faith of the local people who then converted to Catholic faith. It is therefore no surprise that RSS is still insecure with dead St. Francis Xavier many centuries ago. The fact remains in black and white that the religious philosophy and practice of faith that St. Francis Xavier lived and died for is completely hostile to Brahminical religion that declared every local man and woman as slave "shudra" as per manusmriti. St. Francis Xavier functioned with Grace of God and as per beliefs he has special mission for which his body stays in Goa.

RSS functions through setting up of various local level organisations known as Shakhas across India. Subhas Velingkar has been instrumental in setting up these organisational units in different parts of Goa. He traveled widely and trained large number of people to carry on hateful mission. One example is Divar Island. Over the past two decades Velingkar has been frequent visitor to conduct RSS cader camps injecting ideological poison in minds of vulnerable people.

The fruit of Velingkar's efforts are visible in rather stark manner in Divar. Handful of RSS functionaries has taken over management of St. Aloysius School on the island and carry on indoctrination program. Another non-Goan RSS functionary from Maharashtra who resides just opposite St. Aloysious School has taken over management of Divar crematorium.

School management ensures very strict compliance to communal agenda. No one associated with PTA of school is allowed to participate in Divar Bonderam festival floats prompting religious harmony. Few parents who participated in Bonderam few years back were warned by School management in a special and compliance to communal policies were ensured by threats of expelling their children studying at St. Aloysious School. When parents questioned on fact that Ganesh immersion in Divar cannot be carried on without catholic participation RSS functionary on school management turned red fazed and threatened parents of expulsion of their children.

RSS functionaries are also about to take over Navelim-Goltim Panchayat. Currently they are in preparatory stage and are in ruling camp backing Mario Pinto. If sufficient attention is not paid then it is just a matter of time that RSS will also take over the Panchayat.

RSS is active is St. Mathias Panchayat as well and their activities there needs careful examination and scanning. There they used Shivaji card and installed statue in front of the Panchayat. They haven't examined the role Portuguese played when Mughals were after his father and how Portuguese acted in those moments. RSS is also behind pushing Gram Sabha resolution for Bridge connecting Divar to Vanxim Island for corporate benefits. Sao Mathias Panchayat just had non-confidence motion against the sitting Sarpanch Supriya Tari. New Sarpanch role needs careful vigilance.

Subhas Velingkar has quality of arm twisting corporates to further their agenda. The way Subhas Velingkar went about hijacking anti-mining movement in Bicholim is worth examining. He got involved against agitation against Dempo Mines in Lamgao village many years ago. Then took over the leadership of the movement. After that compromised with Dempos after extracting enough funds to construct their educational institution names after Hedgewar in Panjim. Agitation against mining was withdrawn. Local people betrayed. Ecology destroyed.

Subhas Velingkar's comments provides us with opportunity to examine and addresses cancerous growth in our society promoted by RSS and their functionaries all over Goa in cities and villages. Its an occasion to know them, understand them and combat them. They operate in complex manner but can be traced effectively and exposed with the blessings of St. Francis Xavier.

We need to expand horizons of our vigilance to all over Goa, to all that RSS does and confront their role as springs of hatred, disharmony at the service of a the destructive projects and  promotion ecocide of Goa.

We begin with Divar island and name RSS functionaries here in Public Interests: Shindolkar and Sarvesh These two people constitute RSS leadership in Divar island who directs clandastine divisive agenda and close collaborators of Subhas Velingkar.

Let's profile RSS functionaries village by village and bring then to light in public domain. This will make dealing with RSS agenda effective and impactful.

It's important to remember that RSS is a cadre based organisation and there is entire organisation behind nefarious acts of Subhas Velingkar. On October 06, 2022 three lakh volunteers Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) led by Hon. Waman Meshram marched to RSS headquarters in Nagpur and forced shut it down. BMM is the first organisation to march on RSS headquarters as likes of Subhas Velingkar are directed from there to pursue their hateful enslaving agendas.

In the meanwhile let's continue to pray for Subhas Velingkar for God may touch him just the way Saul was to emerge as Paul.

Jai Mulnivasi!

Mourn the Goa land sale in Delhi or celebrate Gandhi Jayanth in Goa?i

While many celebrate birth anniversary of M.K.Gandhi today in India the rapacious corporate wolves are devoring Goa on Delhi. Our land is put on platter to be traded, to be sold, to be purchased.

Goa has been put on National Highlighter at an exclusive property Expo. This is indeed so sickening and we wish Soviet Union had never exercised veto at UN security council on 18 December 1961 to facilitate India's annexure of Goa through conquest.

M.K. Gandhi had no position on Goa. He fought British. Not Portuguese rule in Goa. One needs to examine reasons for this political position he took. What would be Gandhian position on outright scandalous co-ersive corporate takeover of Goa's land in India's capital New Delhi?

It's choice one needs to make whether to celebrate Birth Anniversary of M.K. Gandhi or mourn sale of Goa as 'property' in Delhi. For State its celebration. For People in Goa it's mourning: sorrowful sagas for Goa once again planned in Delhi whiled executed in Goa.