Vanxim: 'Thank you my loving mulnivasis', message from Maggie Silveira

V- Victory

A – Action

N- Numbers

X-X-ray

I-Important

M – Mog (Love)

By Maggie Silveira

President, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Mahila Agahdi, Goa unit

President, Ilha de Vanxim Association

V- Victory: As our cases at Deputy Collector’s court and beyond are very strong, because we are deemed owners. Agricultural tenancy Act proves us right all the way. To add further victory because Supreme Court law says with a judgments etc that mangroves cannot be cut. Further more  victory because survey number 8 is completely and fully a water body with mangroves, mud flat, low lying area with two sluice gates. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Chief Town Planner Putturaju, State level committee, local panchayat did not carry any inspection on survey number 8. The same survey number 8 is shown on the Regional Plan 2021 as hotel and Resort project only. This is all next to impossible by law. To detail victory furthermore because our Vanxim island is a very tiny in the whole of Goa, but known for our forthright attitude and commitments which people have seen and believed from 8^th of August 2010 onwards… Victory as a whole only because we believe in Godly Power, not down pouring of money power. RP-2021 shows survey number 8 as settlement zone for ‘hotel and resort project only’ 1,85,000 square meters is a water body which by law cannot be sold. It is a crime to do so. No law says that mining waste can be dumped in survey number 8 by giving height of 2 meters etc. So Vanxim again a victory. Great live Vanxim island with beautiful birds, mangroves etc. More to top as one can experience the beauty of survey number 8 as bats, birds make it all great as you enter survey number 8. We thank the Lord for these numerous birds, bats, water body etc.

A-Action: highly efficient action plan all out on work for success in completion. Many minds are at work, ideas conceded and implemented with a accordance. Team work is all that makes our action.

N-Numbers: we at Vanxim are strong in numbers as our strength, our family members also add to our nmneber strength from whenever they are in the world. Numbers because “N” number of NGOs, not mentioning details are huge, plus Bharat Mukti Morcha which is our foundation stone for our Ilha de Vanxim Association.

X-ray: X-ray in its due respect is highly expensive for any change to take place in Vanxim. We all Vashekars are on high alert from all sides – East, West, North and South. On all our survey numbers demarked etc. X-rays are formed when a high speed stream of electrons strikes a target. X-rays are used to locate brakes in bones, bullets lodged in the body and other particles and mal function, and to diagnose and treat certain diseases. X-rays examine minutely. That’s exactly we Ilha de Vanxim Association and Bharat Mukti Morcha are known for.

I-Important: Important as Vanxim is a treasure for all Vashekars because of our dear and caring ancestors. They are highly important to us for preserving Vanxim in its original beauty. In the good old days we did not have Ferry boats only small wooden boats (Canoes).  In spite of all hardships our century old houses were constructed with huge walls still in existence. Our heritage kept alive by those very important and dedicated Vodil.  You all mean so much to us. Amche Vodil amche borobor sodach astole, amche purvoz amkam devanuch dillem dennem.

M-Mog (Love): Our Vanxim is beautiful, original, no make-ups in use. Everyone who comes to Vanxim loves Vanxim at its first site. Today Vanxim is known throughout the whole world. What a proud feeling. Vanxim, you are most beautiful bride that everyone loves you and we Vshekars love you too. Experts say that love builds up everyday. Yes Vanxim you have proved it all (right). Mog Vashecho sogleank pavoicho, Ekvotant ravon mog Vashecho ekamekak ami diucho. Vanxim amchi, Goem amchem. Ami soglim ekamekachim. Dev Borem Korum, Thank you every one my loving mulnivasis.

Bharat Mukti Morcha supports Goa health department agitating workers

Bharat Mukti Morcha on 17^th November 2011 extended support to the contract workers on hunger strike in front of Department of Health Services, Panjim, Goa. All these workers are mulnivasis and are suffering. The support was conveyed to the agitating workers by two member delegation from Bharat Mukti Morcha consisting its Goa State Convenor Sebastian Rodrigues and Bharat Mukti Morcha Mahila Aghadi President Maggie Silveira.

Bharat Mukti Morcha advises Goa government to regularize workers on hunger strike.

It was 10th day of their hunger strike on 17^th November 2011 and demonstrations in front of the Health department main office in Panjim. Workers are protesting against betrayal of their rights by Goa’s brahmanical congress government headed by Digambar Kamat with Vishwajit Rane as his Health Minister. Workers have organized themselves as Injustice Malaria Workers Union.

These workers are working on contract for the past 16 years. 77 of them had joined health department in malaria section as daily wage workers in 1996. Later on more joined and this number went up to 124. Out of these some workers left the job and 87 remained employed. Their daily wage then was Rs.58/-. In 1998 contract system started and they were absorbed as contract workers with a monthly salary of Rs.1,500/-. In 2004 their salary was hiked to Rs.2,600/- per month. In 2006 the monthly salary was further hiked to Rs.3,900/-. In 2010 however their monthly salary was reduced to Rs. 3,600/-. In 2011 salary was hiked to Rs. 6,600/-. All this changes came about precisely because of the organized efforts by workers.

In 2008 special posts were created for these workers. All the workers were interviewed and only 11 were absorbed. The rest of the posts according to the agitating workers were sold at the rate of Rs. 6 lakh  to Rs. 10 lakh each.

On 20^th March 2010 these workers went on hunger strike for 17 days. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured to regularize the agitating workers within a month. Based on his promise hunger strike then was called off. On 5^thApril 2010 there was joint meeting with Chief Minister where he assured the workers of regularization. Chief Minister failed to honor his own words and workers continued to suffer. In December 2010 Chief Minister denied his assurance.

On 27^th January 2011 workers organized a rally in Panjim. After the rally health minister Rane assured the workers in presence of media and public that workers will be regularized within a 30 days. However no action was taken. Workers went on another hunger strike from 7^th April to 18th April 2011. After 12 days workers were assured regularization by July 2011. This promise again was not fulfilled. Workers contract will get over at the end of November 2011. Now workers have resolved that they will call off their hunger strike only after they get their appointment letter in hand.

On 14^th November 2011 rally Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured to solve problem within 3 days. Chief Minister is playing with workers. He is only promising them verbally nothing happening practically. On 15^th November 2011 DySP Dev Banaulekar came to workers with message from Chief Minister to call off the Hunger strike and move away or he will arrest all of them. Workers refused to move away and told police officer to go ahead and arrest them. Police officer did not arrest but went away. Workers continue their hunger strike. Their final decision “We will not call off hunger strike till we get our appointment letter in hand.”

Bharat Mukti morcha supports workers on hunger strike here and stands in Solidarity with them.

Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns Baman Raj responsible for police terror in Vanxim

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns police repression on Vanxim villagers. With Bamon-corporate-police nexus villagers protesting super luxury project with Golf Course in their village are being victimized through police terror. Bharat Mukti Morcha holds Bamon Raj in Goa responsible for this tragic state of affairs. Bamons are historic invaders and miniscule minority, currently aligned themselves with capitalist interests leading to massive land grabs in Goa.

In latest development corporate team of bamon Mahendra Gaunekar landed up in Vanxim Island on 10^th November 2011 morning to undertake some survey work.  Villagers objected to this corporate invasion of their island. Corporate team led by another bamon Bruno Ferrao refused to go away and started attacking and abusing the villagers. Villagers resisted and in self-defence confiscated the tripod of the corporate personnel.

On the same afternoon villagers reported this to the Old Goa Police inspector and gave complaints against Bruno Ferrao and his team.

Old Goa Police inspector till date has not registered FIR against Bruno Ferrao and his team.

On 11^th November 2011 villagers were served call letters to come to the Police station on 12^th November at 10.00 am in connection with investigation on their complaint.

When villagers went there PI Francis Corte arrested four women – Swati Tari, Anuradha Volvoikar, Deepika Tari and Maggie Silveira - all from Vanxim for theft (Section 379 of IPC with provisions for three years of imprisonment): this is registered even after confiscated tripod was handed over to police, criminal intimidation (Section 506 of IPC with provisions of two years of imprisonment), unlawful assembly (Section  143 of IPC with provisions of six months of imprisonment), wrongful restraint (Section 341 of IPC with provisions of one month of imprisonment), Intentional insult with intend to provoke breach of peace (Section 504 of IPC with provisions for two years of imprisonment).

There is complete malicious interests behind filing of these cases against Maggie and three other women. Indian Penal Code (IPC) was enacted in 1860 by British Raj to suppress brahmanical revolt of 1857 led by a brahmin Mangal Pandey against british rule. Now Baman Raj has invoked same laws to suppress revolt against Baman rule. This revolt is led by Bharat Mukti Morcha and Maggie Silveira is leading women’s front of Bharat Mukti Morcha in Goa. Indian Penal Code is used against her and other three women in this freedom struggle of Mulnivasis against Bamon Raj. British Raj was a colonial system and so is the Baman Raj. British was thrown out by Kashmiri Brahmins like Jawaharlal Nehru and struggle is on across India to overthrow Baman Raj that is root of every problem in India. Vanxim is one of them.

Bharat Mukti supports Vanxim residents in resisting corporate invasion of the island and condemns registration of criminal cases against women. This invasion has been motivated by urge to conquer mulnivasi people of Goa.

The main people responsible for the functioning of Bamon Raj threatening Vanxim island are Bamon Bruno Ferrao who filed criminal cases against Vanxim villagers, Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar who has purchased Vanxim island, Archbishop of Goa Bamon Felipe Neri Ferrao who sold Vanxim island, Goa Chief Minister Bamon Digambar Kamat who is responsible to get island’s water bodies under survey number 8 as settlement zone in the Goa Regional Plan 2021, MLA Pandurang Madkaikar who is a tribal but carrying on bamani agenda of destroying fellow mulnivasis: Shame on him, Bamon Manohar Parrikar who has maintained silence on Vanxim, Police Inspector of Old Goa Police station Francis Corte who not only registered police cases against Vanxim villagers but also threatened large number of people across Goa with arrests for protesting against arrests of Vanxim villagers. PI Francis Corte is not a Bamon but carries on bamani agenda with all his might. Shame on him!

It is a fundamental right to defend one’s homeland from invasions. Women of Vanxim did exactly this by defending their land from Ozone invasion. PI Fransis Corte had no business what’s over to register criminal cases against Vanxim women unless there is transfer of brief cases to him from Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar, and PI Corte is compelled to exhibit is loyalty towards Bamon Raj. This is a grave abuse of his authority as police inspector. Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns him.

Bharat Mukti Morcha also condemns PI Francis Corte for threatening to arrest those were protesting outside Old Goa police station - Sadanand Tari, Padmanath Bhosle, Fr.Bismarck Dias and Tara Kerker - on 12^th November 2011. By doing this Police Inspector infringed upon fundamental rights of citizens for peaceful assembly guaranteed under article 19 of the Indian Constitution.

Bharat Mukti Morcha calls upon mulnivasi people of Goa to unite to defeat baman raj and set mulnivasis free.

Goa Police at Old Goa arrests four women to promote brahmanical control over Vanxim island

Through deceit Goa Police attached to Old Goa police station on 12th November 2011 arrested 4 women associated with Bharat Mukti Morcha and Ilha de Vanxim Association. The arrested women includes Maggie Silveira, Swati Tari, Anuradha Volvoikar and Deepika Tari. Maggie Silveira is the Chief of Bharat of Bharat Mukti Morcha Mahila Aghadi for Goa State.


The women were called at the Old Goa police station with a call letter from Police inspector Francis Corte at 10.00 am on 12th November 2011 for an inquiry on their complaint against bamon Bruno Ferrao lodged by the villagers on 10th November 2011.


However when  the villagers reached at the Old Goa police station they were arrested by PI Francis Corte under sections 143, 341, 379, 504 and 506. No complaint against them was shown or read out to them. However it is learned that complaint was lodged by Bamon Bruno Ferrao. PI Corte threatened to arrest several other people expressing their protest against the arrests.


The entire arrests exercise was meant to suppress the revolt against bamani sale of Vanxim island by bamon Archbishop of Goa Felipe Neri Ferrao, Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar who sold Vanxim to ozone group of companies for 30 crore rupees. This exercise however has backfired after public and also those arrested women bravely defied PI Francis Corte. Revolt of Vanxim people against bamon raj is now spreading to other parts of Goa.


These arrests are in total violation of Human Dignity and Human Rights. The PI Francis Corte tried his level best to demoralize those struggling against the sale out of Vanxim village. What was the need for him to attempt demoralization of the protesting Vanxim villagers? Monetary or otherwise collusion with Ozone group and Bamon Mahendra Gaunekar could be the most likely reason.


Arrested women were later released on bail an hour past mid-night. Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns arrests of Vanxim island women.

The day MLA Pandurang Madkaikar walked with Bamon Gaunekar Maggie was hit on head, justice denied

Yesterday 9th November 2011 Cumbharjua  MLA Pandurang Madkaikar in interview to Herald denied any knowledge of the golf course project at Vanxim. This note is to recall the day when he visited Vanxim with none other than promoter of this disastrous project Mahendra Gaunekar in 2010.


On 16th May 2010 local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar along with Mahendra Gaunekar and Rudresh Chodankar came to Vanxim. It was same day that Maggie Silviera, now President of Ilha de Vanxim Association and Chief for Bharat Mukti Morcha - Mahilas was attacked by local panch Manuel Furtado by hitting the file on Maggie's head.


Complaints were filed before Women's cell, Bailancho saad (Sabina Martins), Goa State Commission for Women, SP North, SPDO Panjim, and old Goa police station. This happened in presence of then local Sarpanch and current deputy Sarpanch Tulsidas Kundaikar, panch member Rama and all Vanxim villagers.


No action was taken on this complaint because of pressure from local MLA Pandurang Madkaikar.


On the same day Vanxim people came to Panjim after this incident and gave all the detail information to Kenzil Rodrigues of Goa 365 TV channel. he promised them to telecast this story after taking bite from Old Goa police station. However same mid-night at 12 O'clock Kenzil Rodrigues called up Maggie and informed that MLA Pandurang Madkaikar has phoned him to instruct that this story of panch Manuel Furtado hitting Maggie on her head must not go for telecast. And story was never aired.


We want justice in this matter as woman is involved. Local panch Manuel Furtado must be arrested and step down as member of Panchayat immediately.

Vanxim villagers file police case against Bamon Bruno Ferrao, chase him out of island

Vanxim villagers today 10th November 2011 filed police complaint against Bruno Ferrao for threatening women in Vanxim island. The complaint is filed at Old Goa police station after the head on confrontation against Ozone group staff led by its manager Bamon Bruno Ferrao by Vanxim villagers mostly women organised as Bharat Mukti Morcha and Ilha de Vanxim Association.

At around 10.00 am today morning Ozone group sent in their team of four agents including Bamon Bruno Ferrao to do survey work with instruments like tripod. Villagers asked them for their identiy. They had none. Then villagers asked for the permission from any of the Government authority. They had none.

Women of the village asked the agents to stop work on public road and go away. They refused and threatened women in case they do not move away. This angered the villagers. Sensing the angry mood of the villagers Bamon Bruno Ferrao got frightened and ran way into the nearby by house and locked himself inside causing panic to the students of embroidery classes. The house there after was emptied and locked after this incident.

The rest of the agents then began pleading to return back the tripod. Villagers refused. Bamon Bruno Ferrao (from Divar but currently staying in Merces) and rest of his agents from Karnataka then fled from Vanxim Island.

Villagers then went to Old Goa police station and filed complaint. The text of the complaint is as follows:

From: Ilha de Vanxim Association and
Chief, Bharat Mukti Morcha, Mahilas of Bharat Mukti Morcha

Date 10th November 2011

To,
Police Inspector,
Old Goa Police Station


Subject: Illegal activities in the village without permission from any government authorities and threat to our lives


Sir,


We the Mahilas of Ilha de Vanxim Association, Bharat Mukti Morcha went to ask following:
Who is your superior?
Who has sent in you'll here?
How can you'll come to our land (Vanxim) and do such activity?
When the cases of our entire village are going on in Deputy collector's court every 15  days who gave you'll this authority?
We asked for them for their ID card proof which they did not have.
We also asked of NOC of Panchayat. They did not have.


They got aggressive towards us and threatened us. So we took their instrument called tripod and kept with us. We will not give the instrument.


Our condition:
1. They must stop coming to Vanxim.
2. All of them must give Ilha de Vanxim Association Mahilas and Bharat Mukti Morcha apology letter.


Our Mahila's names Ms. Maggie Silveira, Anuradha Volvoikar, Deepika Tari, Swati Volvoikar.


The males present who threatened us are Bruno Ferrao, Sadanand, Manju and Narayanswamy.


Thanking you,


Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
Maggie Silveira

Vanxim islanders wage vehement battle at Gram Sabha

Gram Sabha of Sao Mathias that was postponed last Sunday took place today 6th November 2011. 234 villagers from the revenue villages of Narva, Malar and Capao participated today. This Gram Sabha had attained importance for Bharat Mukti Morcha because of ongoing agitation against RP-2021 showing over 35,000 square meters of Vanxim land under survey number 8 as settlement zone. This land is a rivulet connected to Mandovi river and has two sluice gates, mangroves and mud flats.


Deputy Sarpanch Tulsidas Kundaikar was asked as to whether Panchayat members including Sarpanch had inspected the survey number before declaring it as settlement zone.Kundaikar replied that Panchayat members including Sarpanch had not inspected the survey number 8. Panchayat were grilled as to why Panchayat had not filed objections to the same. Kundaikar said that objections would be filed if the Gram Sabha members desires so.


Entire Sao Mathias Panchayat is Eco-Zone III and no construction of resorts/hotels are permitted as per the provisions in the Regional plan. 


Panchayat was asked as to whether there was any proposal from any company for Vanxim. Deputy Sarpanch responded that there was no proposal of any project in Vanxim with Panchayat. Yet he asked people to vote on the imaginary project. First the people who opposed the project were asked to stand up. 84 people stood up. Then people who supported the project were asked to stand up. 45 people stood up. Remaining 105 people did not support any side.


Though this voting proved majority of those people voted against the project the deputy Sarpanch manipulated the results by including those neutral 105 into the category of those supporting the project. This manipulated result was shared with media for further brahmanical manipulation.


And the results was there for every one to see. One of the TV channels in Goa - Prudent Media- owned by mining company and bamon ran three totally misleading newslines soon after the Gram Sabha: 1. Majority of Vanshikars support resort project at Vanxim (This is not true as majority of Vanshikars are opposed to the project and voting in the Panchayat was not restricted only to Vanxim people in spite of public demand to do so.) 2. Gram Sabha gives green signal to the project (This statement is wrong as in the voting 84 people opposed the project and only 45 supported it. 105 remained without voting. Kundaikar interpreted those remaining without voting as support for the project and prudent media headlined it!) 3. Some villagers still oppose (It is majority of the villagers of Vanxim still oppose).


Vanxim struggle of mulnivasi people against bamon raj is strong and growing. No amount of false propaganda of brahmanical media will succeed. Bharat Mukti Morcha supports this struggle. Jai Mulnivasi!

Vanxim Island survey number 8 is a water body, Regional Plan marks it for hotel and Resort only

The above pictures are of survey number 8 of Vanxim island in Sao Mathias panchayat sold by Goa Archbishop Bamon Felipe Neri Ferrao to Bamon Mahandra Gaunekar. Villagers are left to battle in various authorities in Goa. On November 6, 2011, Sunday is a village Gram Sabha that is going to deliberate on this. Vanxim battle is freedom struggle from Bamon Raj that is cause of every misery in Goa and India too. Bharat Mukti Morcha supports Vanxim people as well as Ilha de Vanxim Association in this great fight.

Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns police cases against Vanxim defenders

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns filing of criminal cases against Vanxim villagers belonging to Bharat Mukti Morcha. Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns Sao Mathias Sarpanch Ludvina Athaide for filing of police cases against Vanxim villagers protesting against golf course in their island. According to the information published on 31st october 2011 in Times of India Sarpanch has filed police cases against  Maggie Silviera, Neetyanand Volvoikar, Amrut Volvoikar, Sadanand Tari, Mohan Volvoikar and Eulogio D'Mello at Old Goa Police station. These people are leading freedom movement against bamon raj symbolized in Vanxim through bamon Mahendra Gaunekar and Bamon Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao who sold Vanxim island.


The above named people are directly connected with Bharat Mukti Morcha as well as Ilha de Vanxim Association. Maggie Silveira is Bharat Mukti Morcha Mahila Aghadi Goa State President. Filing cases against these people by Sarpanch Athaide has further intensified involvement of Bharat Mukti Morcha. They have already been honored as freedom fighters with these cases in Goa's history.


These villagers along with many other has been to the announced Gram Sabha on 30th October 2011. These villagers saw that there was no place in the Panchayat to accommodate large number of people specially those who came to the Panchayat to oppose the project. They asked Sarpanch and Secretary to hold the gram sabha outside in the open so as to accommodate the gathered public. They both refused and then announced that this gram sabha will not going be held. Agitated public refused go away without conduct of the scheduled Gram Sabha.


At this juncture gathered public demanded resignation of Sarpanch as well that of other panchayat members. Public then told secretary to write minutes and public will go ahead with gram sabha and one of the Gram Sabha members will chair this meeting.


Panchayat itself called public for the gram sabha and Panchayat did not make any arrangement for accommodating them. Panchayat members including Sarpanch had acted in very irresponsible manner. People's protest was directed towards this irresponsibility of the Sao Mathias Panchayat. It is matter of deep concern that Sarpanch has chosen to file criminal cases against the people who came to the Panchayat to exercise their democratic rights.


The action of Sarpanch is a clever conspiracy to subvert democracy and establish brahmanocracy - brahmanical rule. If the members of Panchayat respect democracy then its Sarpanch must withdraw these police cases filed at Old Goa Police Station.


According to the sources at Old Goa police station these cases against Vanxim people are filed at the behest of bamon Mahendra Gaunekar in order to create fear. Bamon Gaunekar has become desperate after his earlier pressure tactics of splitting the Vanxim villagers through money failed as villagers united to his domination of Vanxim through construction of various projects like golf courses, hotels, resorts, private marinas inside the water bodies and re-name the Vanxim island as Ozone island.