A Leaked Paper Is Not Worth A Life

To every NEET aspirant and their families

1. Dear Student

I know what you’re feeling right now. Anger. Helplessness. Fear.  

Months of study, mock tests, sacrifices — and then the news: "NEET paper leaked."  

It feels like your hard work was stolen. Like your future is unfair.

But please listen: No one can leak your discipline. No one can leak your growth. No one can leak YOU.

A paper can be reprinted. A test can be reconducted. Your life cannot. 

If your mind is saying I’m a burden" or "What’s the point— that is stress lying to you. You are not a burden. Your dream is not over. You are bigger than one exam.

2. Dear Parents

We see your sacrifice. The loans. The coaching fees. The nights you stayed awake worrying.  

You did all this because you love your child and believe in their dream but your child is not a marksheet. Your child is not a rank.  

The biggest success is not a medical seat. It’s your child alive, safe, and hopeful.

Tell them: We took the loan for you, not for a paper. We are proud of you no matter what.

Money can be earned back. A child cannot.

3. This is not your fault

If the system failed, that failure does not define you. You chose the honest path. You showed up.  

Authorities are accountable. Investigations happen. Re-exams happen. Students have changed things facing them by standing together peacefully.

Don’t let panic make decisions. Focus on what you can control: your health, your preparation, your next step.

4. Your life has many paths

Doctor, researcher, therapist, public health worker — there are many ways to heal people and serve.  

Your compassion and resilience matter more than one day, one paper.

--- Apeksha R Tandel

Re-imaginings from 22 July Ankola to Karwar protest march

They came from the beaches. They came from the river banks. They came from the valleys. They came amongst fishers. They came amongst agriculturists. They came amongst peasants. They came amongst tribal communities. They came amongst various fishing communities. They came from transport workers. They came from number of villages. They came from Ankola Taluka of Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. Thousands of them. They were men. They were women. They were youth. They were old. They carried common resolve in heart. No to Port at Keni Beach waters!

In the morning of 22 July 2026 they assembled in Ankola town. They unpacked their bags and placards moved in different hands. This day thousands had taken break from their livelihood engagements. They stopped their agriculture work. They stopped their fishing work. They stopped all their kinds of work. They stopped it all for a day. They had their voices ready. Ready to roar. Ready to dare.

They assembled before the two statues of personalities that inspired them. One of those statues is of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi at Ankola Swatantrya Sangrama Smarak Bhavan.                                   . 

Few thousand people were taking inspiration from the Indian Freedom Movement. That era Movement was directed against British rule. Today movement was directed against corporate rule with Jindal Steel Works (JSW) as invader of Keni coast in Ankola with State backing.

They term their revolt as "horata". They publicly condemned imposition of Port at Keni "Dikkara". They carried placards. They shouted slogans. They advocated defence of shores from the Ports. People with a purpose thronged the roads that connect the highway. And soon they were marching on it. They had sound system to amplify their voices. They had secured permissions for it though negotiations with police. 

They found their voice on National Highway (NH - 66). They walked. Police alongside. Lady police included. Thousands walked. Few emergency vehicles from fire safety department. Few ambulances to lift and take to hospital in case any protesters collapsed while working. Walking on highway was unprecedented. Seeking permision from the administration is story by itself. Permission was sought for march from Ankola to Karwar covering nearly 35 kms. Permision was denied citing that it is monsoon season and rains would make walking difficult in addition to risks of accidents on highway besides the safety of those walking in case of health emergencies. Negotiations followed. Authorities allowed walking upto to 05 kms and then buses and other vehicles to be used to move to Karwar. 

After 05 kms walk vehicle carried protesters to Karwar to disembark under the flyover facing Karwar Beach. From here another march. This time more people joined from Karwar and the surrounding villages to express their support and Solidarity. People even came from far away places like Belgaum, Honnavar and Goa to support the protest demands. From National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF) two office bearers participated. Raju Tandel, Organising Secretary, Karnataka and General Secretary Sebastian Rodrigues. 

March moved with thundering slogans through the air attracting attention of passers in the Karwar Town for nearly 03 kms. The final destination of the march was the office of Deputy Commisioner, Karwar who heads administration in Uttara Kannada. Organisers were as much disciplined as they were sensitive. They made sure that there would be no breach of law and order situation during the protests. Internal system was put in place to diffuse the tension. They were also very sensitive to arrange adequate water and good tasty lunch for several thousands people. They even arranged chairs for the needy and tired to sit under the flyover. All the waste generated during the lunch was picked up and taken for disposal.

Protests started in front of the closed gate of Deputy commisioner. Police guarded the gate from inside. Protesters sat in front of the gate and shouted slogans. No traffic disruption was seen as police handled that aspect well. V.N. Nayak and others were seen near the gate. After some time gate was opened few amongst protesters went in. Deputy commisioner Laxmi Priya walked near the gate and stood few meters away from the gate. V.N. Nayak who is a scientist and others like Vikas Tandel were allowed inside the gate. V.N.Nayak then presented the objections to Port projects at Keni. The entire conversation was in Kannada. Sound system was arranged to ensure that voices are heard even beyond the gate. 

Deputy Commisioner Laxmi Priya then addressed the protesters and said that the Keni Port has not received Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). She also informed that the Keni Port has not received CRZ Clearances too. In the absence to these required permissions work on site will not be started.  Her speech was greeted with clapps. 

Within a minute however churnings were felt. Questions were raised on what Deputy Commissioner spoke. Some felt it was expected state response to situations Ike this. Others felt that her coming to the gate and meeting protesters itself was an achievement. Still others believed that what she spoke was far below the expectations to the range of declaration of cancelation of the Port project. A sensitive dissenting voice questioned as to why women protesters were not allowed to have direct communications with Deputy Commisioner. There is lots to think about as the organisers go about evaluating the past and planning for the future of on ground resistance to Port at Keni.

Word of appreciation to Sanjeev Balegar and his team at Ankola  Sarva Samajagala Hitarakshana Sangha for conducting such a huge show of dissent. Protest march of this magnitude demonstrated will and determination of Ankola people. Their actions are certain inspirations to everyone concerned about defence of coastal areas in the face of such Port projects that spells doom to coastal people in several ways.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Forest -The Living Breath of Nature

1. Importance of the Forest

A forest is not just a group of trees. It is home to millions of living beings. The forest is nature's factory that gives humans air, water, rain, and food. One tree produces enough oxygen in a day for 4 people to breathe.

2. Hub of Biodiversity

Tigers, elephants, bears, deer, monkeys, hundreds of types of birds, reptiles, and insects live in the forest. Every creature is an important link in the food chain. If even one species is destroyed, the entire balance is disturbed.

3. Climate and Rain

Forests attract clouds and bring rain. The roots of trees hold the soil together and prevent floods and landslides. The saying "If there is a forest, there is rain. If there is rain, there is a crop" is absolutely true.

4. Humans and the Forest

Humans have lived with the forest since ancient times. Tribal communities worship the forest like a god. We get medicinal plants, fruits, and timber from the forest. But when we cut down forests for our own selfish needs, we end up harming ourselves.

5. Threats to the Forest

Today forests are being destroyed due to excessive deforestation, forest fires, poaching, plastic, and pollution. This is leading to problems like climate change, destruction of animal habitats, and water scarcity.

6. Our Responsibility

Saving the forest means saving our future.  

- We should plant trees  

- We should stop deforestation  

- We should reduce the use of plastic  

- We should protect wildlife  

Conclusion

As poet Kuvempu said "Grow the forest, save the land." Humans cannot survive without forests. To give a green earth to the next generation, let us all love and protect the forest starting today.

--- Apeksha R Tandel

On confidence

Confidence is believing in yourself. It doesn’t mean you never feel scared. It means you try even when you are scared.

Confidence grows slowly. Every small success adds to it. Every time you speak up, try something new, or finish a task, your confidence improves.

Mistakes don’t reduce confidence. They build it. Because after every mistake, you learn and become stronger.

You don’t need to be perfect to have confidence. You just need to start. The more you practice, the more confident you become.

Remember: Confidence is not given by others. We build it from within.

 

Apeksha R Tandel

Our Town - Tonka Kasarkod, Honnavar

Tonka Kasarkod is a beautiful coastal village near Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district.

The special thing about our town is its location. To the west lies the Arabian Sea, and to the east flows the Sharavati River. The sea is our life. Every day fishermen go in boats and bring back fish. The beach in the evening is very beautiful.

In the middle of the Arabian Sea there is a beautiful hill. Its name is Netrani Hill. This hill is the pride of our village. Tourists and locals come to see this hill. Netrani Hill adds more beauty to our sea.

The main occupation of our village is fishing only. There is no agriculture here. Hundreds of families depend only on the fish from the sea for their livelihood but for the last few years we have been struggling a lot because of the HPPL company.  

HPPL means Honnavar Port Private Limited Company. Because of this company’s projects, fishermen are facing problems to go to the sea. Our livelihood is coming to a dangerous situation.

Apeksha R. Tandel

The Real Heroes of the Sea

Fishermen and Fisherwomen: The Real Heroes of the Sea 🌊

Their day starts at 4 AM, while it's still dark. Rain, cold, or storm — the sea is their workplace and their life.

The Fisherman 

From dawn till dusk, he casts nets, steers the boat, and battles the waves to catch fish. He knows every current, every shift in the wind. But there's no guarantee he'll get a fair price for the fish he risks his life to catch.

The Fisherwoman

It's not just about catching fish. She also carries baskets of fish on her head to the market, stands in the sun and rain to sell them. She manages the house, the kids' studies, and often helps her husband with the boat work too — all by herself.

What are their struggles?

1. Climate change: Cyclones and rough seas put their lives at risk

2. Middlemen: They rarely get the right price for their hard work

3. Pollution: Plastic and factory waste in the sea means fewer fish

4. Debt trap: Loans for boats and nets are hard to repay

And yet, they keep smiling and moving forward. Because for them, the sea is everything.

The next time we eat fish on our plate, let's take a moment to think about the hands that brought it to us. Let's be their voice.

Apeksha R Tandel

The Fisherman - A True Warrior of the Sea

Summary:

A fisherman is not just a profession. It’s a life of courage, patience, and struggle with nature. In every bite we eat, there is a story of his sweat and hard work.

While the whole town is still asleep at 4 AM, the fisherman is already heading to the sea with his boat and net.

For him, the sea is both mother and teacher. He understands the rise and fall of waves, the direction of the wind, and the movement of fish — all from years of experience.

Hardship and Sacrifice

Fishing is not an easy job. He has to face the scorching sun, heavy rain, and even storms. Some days he returns with an empty net. But the very next day, he goes back to the sea with the same courage.

His Contribution to Us

The fish curry and fried fish on our plate are all the result of a fisherman’s hard night work. Without him, the lives of coastal people and the hotel business would come to a standstill.

Challenges Today

Today, pollution, overfishing, and climate change have made a fisherman’s life even harder. But still, they continue to live with respect for the sea, using their traditional knowledge.

           Apeksha R Tandel

Joys of Turning Pages

Summary

No matter how much technology grows, nothing can match the smell of a book and the experience of turning its pages.

The Importance of Books in the Digital Age

These days everything is on mobile and the internet. But even now, reading books is still important. Books don’t just give us knowledge. They also bring peace to the mind. 

If we read on a screen for 10 minutes, our eyes get tired. But when we hold a book in our hands and read, our focus increases and our memory also becomes stronger.

A book is our best friend. It tells us stories, gives us new ideas, and reduces stress. If we make a habit of reading one book every week, our lives itself can change.

Apeksha R. Tandel

 

The Fishy farming paradox

On 09 July 2026 Government of Goa organised function in Panjim to celebrate National Fish Farmers Day. The narrative that was presented at the function is that marine capture fisheries production is going down as fish catch has reduced in the waters of Arabian Sea off the Goa coast. And this the reason fish farming is promoted with all the gusto with State backing.

This State driven narrative however hasn't gone without scrutiny amongst the fishers who attended this program. The logic of this narrative is increasingly facing contestations. The questions that are raised by fishers present at function of national fish farming day are very important and merits attention. This is more so because the fishers are intimately connected to the Sea. So here lets dive into the issues raised by fishers post- national fish farmers day per the presented logic and its deconstruction. 

Need for Fish farming 

In Goa we always associated the idea of farming with paddy fields that cultivated rice, sometimes twice a year for certain but certainly once during monsoon. The farming was economy by itself and was sustained through efforts of local people that has almost entered pages of history. Idea of farming was associated with activities on land connected to agriculture. Only way it got connected to Fisheries was in case of farming in reclaimed lands in Goa known as Khazan lands regulated through sluice gates which are also in a dilapidated state. 

Current narrative presents the situation at shortage of fish to harvest via capture fisheries and therefore need for fish farming - aquaculture of various types.

The situation of fish scarcity

While the state assessment of the shortage is true what is worrying is also scarcity of State efforts to identify the causes of the declining marine fish. These is scandalous non-attention to this aspect by Goa Government towards governance of fisheries. Fisheries however have their own understanding as to why there is shortage of fish in waters of Arabian Sea. Few of these concerns are outlined here.

Connections of scarcity with LED Fishing

It's well known admitted fact that despite ban on use of LED in fishing practices it is used for the purpose widely, illegally. This matter was even heard before Goa Bench of Bombay High Court several times where in Director of Fisheries defended right of fishing vessels to carry generators on board but prohibited to use them for lighting of marine waters through LED. This status has created enforcement nightmare with open and flagrant advantage being taken by the industrial fishers. Violations are open and visible even from the beaches on the entire coastline of Goa at night. State enforcement through Fisheries Department as well as Coastal Security Police are few centuries behind and are one of the prime reasons for generation of food insecurity through smooth functioning of LED lights on industrial fishing vessels. This understanding of fishers themselves and deliberately pushed under the carpet.

FMFO as destinations for juvenile fish

LED Fishing blinds and traps even tiny juvenile fish in industrial fishing gears attached to the vessels at Sea. These unethical harvests are brought dead to the shore and directed into Fish Meals for Fish Oil (FMFO) for variety of industrial reasons. This causes deliberate depletion of marine fish species. There was never shortage of fish in waters before the industrial fishing was introduced. Neat and clean sweep of marine commons even within 05 kms from the shore by the Industrial fishing fleet has triggered the crisis point in marine waters popularly known as fish famine. Government of Goa has not put these industrial fishing practices under the scrutiny as possible contributors for destroying marine ecology, causing fish depletion and triggering food insecurity. On the contrary the are instances in the past when Goa Government even facilitated these very industrial fishers to prosper and even falicitate them on World Fishers day. I this context Goa Government have failed in governance of Fisheries at least partly and even terribly betyed. Celebration of Fish Farmers Day is the indication of collapse in marine fisheries governance in Goa.

Plastic harvest in fishing nets

It's increasing trend these days when proportion of plastic harvests is overtaking fish harvest in marine fisheries. From gillnet fishing to cast net fishing fishing nets are the sites for plastic harvests in fishing nets. Goa Government has been negligent in identifying the source locations of garbage dumping instances in marine waters often through connected rivers. Fishermen even narrate that there are several patches where sea floors and riverbed are covered with thick layers of mature litter. This is not even on the agenda of Fisheries department or any other agency of the Goa Government. 

Deliberate marine destructive projects

Indian government in collusion with Goa government initiayed marine destructive projects in Zuari river. MPT under central givernment jurisdictions signed out several lakh square meters of Zuari river fronts to two corporates at prime locations in Nauxi and Sancoale via 30 year lease deed in October 2010. People including Fisher have combats this past decade and a half and successfully protected fishing spaces all along. Draft EIA study of Nauxim Marina infact confirms that through the Marina project there will be long term irreversible negative impacts on fisheries. And still Goa Government backed it up. Matter is pending before Goa Bench of Bombay High Court and have witnesses serial postponements from September 2025.

Casino invasion of Mandovi

Most dramatic disrespect to Fisheries is visible in Mandovi river. Several gambling centres on floating vessels have occupied mandovi waters past several decades. It's is not just physical spaces of fishing in river waters but also daily clandestine release of sewage water early mornings that contributes to degradation of fishing waters and pollution. Yet Casinos being convenient transformers of money into white its getting daily boost and vitamins one and all the nefarious of the world. This ensures continues degradation of fishing waters. This is also the context as to why fish farming is promoted in Goa.

Marine metros and marine ecology 

There are talks that Goa Government is considering another project known as marine metros in Goa. Routes are getting mapped in rivers to install metro services. Reasons given are decongestion of passengers on road and promotion of Tourism. What is missing however is impact on marine ecology and impact on fish behaviours when marine metros takes off.

The above points are just few points - tip of the iceberg - based on leads from ground level churnings amonsts fishers of Goa. There are lots more things to ponder about and express. I invite you too to join in this action-reflection venture in diverse ways.

Sebastian Rodrigues 

Goodbye Prabhakar...

Today 23 May 2026 evening at 5.30 pm marked death of my friend Prabhakar Padekar from Cacra village near Goa University. 

Prabhakar always wore smile on his face every time I met him from April 1996. He served as the President of Cacra Nagrik Vikas Samiti (CNVS) and successfully led the campaign to defend his village from being buried under thousands of tons of Cement to construct off shore stockyard and Berth by mining company from Goa - Fomentos under police cover during Pratapsingh Rane rule.

After this successful chasing away of corporate invasion of the village Prabhakar worked at Goa DESC at Mapusa for few years in late 1990s.

Prabhakar moved out of Goa to aquire qualifications as Physical Education teacher and was employed in school at Sattari till his death. 

It was Prabhakar who convinced me to involve with fishers of his village on Zuari river Bank in 2015.

Prabhakar visited me with team of fishers to Vanxim many times after death of my wife Maggie in 2021 to console me.

Prabhakar has wife and children after him.

And for us he has left glipmse of his deep thoughts in his paper :

https://mandgoa.blogspot.com/2008/02/turmoil-and-struggle-of-village.html?m=1

Prabhakar smiled everytime he met me. It's long struggle that we got to continue and he taught me with smile struggle is joy.

His role though invisible his love for land was deep. He was Gawda, an indigenous Tribe in Goa.

Good bye my friend. Good bye Prabhakar. You left young yet with a smile. 

Your death day Prabhakar is on birthday of late Fr. Bismarque Dias. I pay tribute to both of you for all that you'll stood for in your own ways to defend homeland.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Petition against operation of PNJ Boats in Sinquerim-Nerul river

 25 May 2026

To,

Governor of Goa

Lok Bhavan,

Dona Paula,

Goa

To,

Chief Minister,

Government of Goa, 

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Minister of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Minister of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Minister of Tourism,

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Chief Secretary,

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Ports),

Government of Goa, 

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Fisheries)

Government of Goa,

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Secretary (Tourism),

Government of Goa, 

Porvorim, Goa

To,

Captain of Ports,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Fisheries,

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa

To,

Director of Tourism,

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: Urgent Call for enforcement of Director of Fisheries letter no. DF/ENF/WS/2025-26/1267 dated 18/06/2025 

Sir/Madam,

Please find above refered letter enclosed/ attached for your urgent consideration of enforcement. 

The contents of this letter addressed to the Director of Tourism is very important to support livelihood of large number of traditional small scale fishers in Sinquerim-Nerul river in the months of June, July and August is reproduced here for your ready reference:

"It is to inform you that the department is in receipt of letters dated 15/05/2025 and 28/05/2025 from the Kandollchea Kharveacho Ekvott and All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union respectively (copies elclosed) regarding "disturbance caused by watersports/PNJ Boats operating in Sinquerim-Nerul areas.

It is informed that Watersports/ Tourism boats in the Sinquerim - Nerul areas disturb the livelihood of Fishermen in that area by operating boats with high power emgines and disturbing the fishes during their breeding season.

In view of the above, you are requested to stop watersports/tourism boats from operating in the Sinquerim river upto Nerul Bridge from 01 June to 31 August, every year."

These directions of the Director of Fisheries were violated in the 2025 resulting in damage to fishing breeding process in Sinquerim- Nerul river as well as tremendous troubles to the traditional fishers of Sinquerim-Nerul river as PNJ Boats operated non-stop with shameful support from the authorities.

Kindly initiate decisive steps to ensure that no PNJ boat operates in Sinquerim-Nerul river and the livelihoods of fishers are promoted and fish breeding process in the river remains without disruptions from PNJ boat outboard motors of any capacity. 

Thank you. 

Yours sincerely, 

Shaila D'mello

President 

Laximan Mangueshkar, 

Secretary

Nanar agitation against Bauxite mining

Few days ago on 09-10 May 2026 I occasioned to visit Nanar village near Rajapur in Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra. The village is restless due to proposed Bauxite mining project encompassing 144.95 hacters of village land. Publuc Hearing was scheduled for 20 May 2026. 

Mining excavation - as per draft EIA report summery - is to be carried on by Goa based M/s  Sociedade De Fomento Industrial Private Limited. Village has its horticulture Mangoes cultivation as major casualty in case of mining company take to this dig and sell routine. 

Village is bordered by Vaghotan river that separates Sindadurg and Ratnagiri districts. River has active fishing all along. There one fishing hamlet of around 100 fishers at a point known as Igalwadi. Thanks to prominent Nanar villager - Sanjay Desai - I got introduced to fishers here. Bauxite project will also affect the livelihood of fishers as the run-off from higher altitude will find its way into Vaghotan river 

On 09 May 2026 villagers organised press conference to unaniously denounce the Bauxite mining project in their village of Nanar.

Summery of draft EIA circulated notes "Further the validity of Letter of Intent has been extended by Government of Maharashtra till 09-09-2025 vide its letter dated 05-12-2023." This means that Fomentos got no legal right excavate Bauxite from  09 September 2025.

On 10 May 2026 public came to know that Public Hearing got postponed to 20 May 2026 on shaky grounds. On 11 May 2026 it was announced that Public Hearing is called off. It was very good opportunity for me to interact with fishers at Nanar and understand their perceptions about life, livelihoods and resistance. 

There is need to hold public study sessions on draft EIA report.

Further visits are required in order to strengthen unity and foster organization of fishers and link up with Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union.

NFSF offered support and Solidary to the Nanar villagers.

Sebastian Rodrigues 

General Secretary

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

Bharat Mukti Morcha condemns violent attack on Kashinath Shetye

Bharat Mukti Morcha strongly condemns violent attack on Kashinath Shetye at Meces, Goa today 08 May 2026 evening. According to available information Shetye was inspecting site on the outskirts of Panjim under High Court direction. While inspection was going on one man who is responsible for cutting down of large scale mangroves and landfills of Salt pans charged at Mr. Shetye with Chopper in his hand. He was stopped by onlooker Domnic Pereira who stood in defence of Mr. Shetye. Attacker then dropped off the chopper and picked up the stone, charged at Mr. Shetye catching his shirt collar and hitting the stone repeatedly on back on his left shoulder.

Bharat Mukti Morcha holds Goa's Home Ministry responsible for the collapse of law and order situation in Goa under political patronage. Shetye declared in TV interview that in case of any such attack in future he will use weapons to defend himself. This is significant moment when State security agencies have lost trust of common man.

Attacker was infuriated due to High Court order against his illegal activities under full political patronage. 

Bharat Mukti Morcha stands by Mr. Kashinath Shetye and calls upon Goa Police to initiate strict against the butcher of mangroves responsible for attack on Mr. Shetye.

Bharat Mukti Morcha also express gratitude to Mr. Domnic Pereira for defending Kashinath Shetye from the Merces attacker.

Sebastian Rodrigues

Convenor, 

Bharat Mukti Morcha,

Goa Unit

Postcard from Uttara Kannada coast

08 May 2026

Got the opportunity to share three days in various locations in Uttara Kannada few days ago.

Defying all the Port constructions work on Honnavara Beach at Tonka accompanied by mischievous artificial lighting at night (ALAN) on the mouth of Sharavathi river one Olive Ridley turtle found gateway to the beach to dig out the sand and lay eggs. Happy occasion for local fishing community at Tonka who is involved in turtle conservation program in collaboration with Forest department. It's also sad news for HPPL who are committed to erase Tonka beach as turtle nesting site to install Port. There was media attention and excitement in the locality 07 May 2026 early morning! This development is indeed great milestone considering there's heavy traffic of heavy trucks and other vehicles on the beachside mud road that caused plenty of perturbation to marine creatures.

State administration and HPPL has initiated fresh criminal cases against four defenders of Tonka, Honnavar. Notices are served to Rajesh Tandel, Ganapati Tandel, Raju Tandel, Bhaskar Tandel. Notices served seeks to brand these four village defenders as "rowdy sheeter" for allegedly having multiple cases against them. They are called to Magistrates office in Karwar on 08 May 2026. One stange fact observed on notice is that Magistrate and Deputy superitendent of Police are one. Karnataka administration has launched long term plans to criminalize Tonka villagers and they get unfolded bit by bit every few months. May is one such momentous month.

Five beaches at Gokarna and Kumta talukas were notified by Karnataka tourism department office at Karwar as reserved for water sports activities. These five beaches includes Gokarna main beach, Kudle beach, Om Beach, Paradise Beach and Hop Moon beach in Kumta. Notification to this effect was issued on 17 April 2026. This notification also banned fishing activities within 02 kms from the shore. This evoked strong opposition from the local fishing organisation leading to petition before the office of Deputy Commissioner at Karwar media reports. Following the outcry Karnataka tourism department at Karwar issued crafification notice on 23 April 2026 wherein it claimed that specifi sites on the five named beaches will be designated for adventure sports and those sites have not been identified. However once those sites are identified fishermen are not supposed to do fishing there and adventurists are not supposed to venture in fishing sites. Tourism department has been issuing such notifications without taking fishers into any form of consultations. Pretty sad state of affairs. In Colombia indigenous people are banned from fishing 15 kms from shore as per information received. Will India go the same way?

Proposed Port site in Ankola remains tense and alert. People here witnessed massive outpouring of opposition to the Port project of Jindals with few thousands objections during 22 August 2025 Public Hearing at Ankola. In the meanwhile there signs that Project Proponent might have funded some elements to launch corruption allegations against movement leadership. There was press conference that refuted all the allegations against Sanjiv Balegar. In meanwhile we got to know about published detail 65 page critique (with annexures) of the EIA Report "Development of All-Weather Multi-Cargo Greenfield Deepwater Port Near Ankola, District. Uttara Kannada, Karnataka" by Ankola Sarva Samajagala Hitrakshana Sangha. The publication is legal, scientific and community oriented with seventy-three of footnotes references.

Port Project opposition at Honnavar are encouraged by recent observation of Lokayukta that fishermen at Tonka coast has legal rights to reside. Company had received Environmental Clearance based on the claim that land belongs to the Port company. New openings of opportunities have come about after recent setbacks at NGT Chennai and the Supreme Court betrayals. 

Challenge in the above context is to build greater local alliances and Solidarity. How we go about doing this will determine level of defence of fishing communities. Fishing communities know coast intimately and they are first line of defence in every unfolding crises even though State and many other agencies treat us with disdain. We shall move ahead inspite of hostile surroundings and generate power within: self-dependent, self-reliant in genuine sense.

Struggle continues....

Sebastian Rodrigues

General Secretary 

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

Hello Mr. Noel N. Tata and Folks!

 Hello Mr. Noel N. Tata and folks!

Here are some pointers to what I observed with regard to status of small scale fishers in couple of places in coastal Gujarat during my recent short visit to the State. 

The below one concerns your company plant at Mithapur, Gujarat. 

This need your urgent attention not only to stop dumping industrial waste in Arabian Sea waters but also to dismantle the pipelines installed, remove all the industrial waste already disposed on sea bed and restore coastal ecology regime that has been badly ruined through your company acts of ommisikns and acts of omissions, with or without sanction of law. 

The damage created is there for everyone to see and can best be phrased through Latin legal maxim: Res Ispa Loquitor. 

The most formidable threat to fishing communities in and around Okha has been the dumping of Industrial waste in Arabian Sea within Marine Protected site. 

Multiple pipelines find the way in waters if Arabian sea releasing high temperature industrial waste almost four kilometers inside the Sea. The industrial plant is known as Tata Chemicals Limited is part of larger Tata investment into Tata Salt city - Mithapur. 

Fishing has taken a toll. Continues disposal of waste has already covered up more than 5 kms of space from the site of industrial plant inside the Arabian Sea Waters. Mangroves destroyed, Corals submerged. More are under massive threat as Tata tragedy aggrevates. 

The education level of masses here is deliberately kept at mediocre levels for efficient installation of exploitation structures that comes so close to modern day slavery of humans and barbaric tortures nature. 

No one is courageous enough to protest and raise their voice except ex-employer of Tata Chemicals - Devrambhai Charan Ghoda, pastoralist with affinity to Gujjars. Devrambhai has been erupting like volcanos against Tatas and have taken major steps to bring this issue to media and government attention including President of India. He has been on indefinite hunger strike recently when police intervened and stopped his tirade. He plans to resume it again at different site - in front of Gujarat State Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar. Tatas are carrying on absulute mayhem against Marine ecology and proportions might just push vast patch of Sea onto swamp. Brutality of Tatas here is unexplainable. Thinkness of layers of chemical waste on sea bed more than 20 meters over the eight decades. 

Tatas can donate so much for the good of nations but here in Gujarat they are destroying the same nation they claimed they are building. Tragic Tatas. What's gone wrong with Tata leadership? Why are Tatas behave so insensitive, so arrogant, so brutal to Arabian Sea, marine ecology and fishers who depend on fishing?

Above is short narrative I share with you all with a plea that you act reverse your eco-hostile tirade against  nature and people. Sooner you, the better it is. 

If you neglect then consequences might really go on unpredictable way and your negligence shall be solely accountable and responsible for the same.

Sebastian Rodrigues 

General Secretary 

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

In Solidarity with Gujarat Small Scale Fishers

 

01 May 2026

Here are some pointers to what I observed with regard to status of small scale fishers in couple of places in coastal Gujarat during my recent short visit to the State.

1. Decline in fishing catch: I got to speak to fishers near Okha Port. Fishers observed decline in fish catch over past few years. As a result many are going on mechnised fishing vessels as crew. However they return to their canoes during June to August monsoon time fishing ban on mechanised fishing. Why decline in fish catch?

2. Line trawler fishing: Gillnet fishers face disruptions in Arabian Sea waters due to line michanised fishing. In this fishing method around 100 fishing trawlers line up deploy their trawl fishing gear and drag seabed together causing huge fish depletion and damage to Marine ecology. After complaints b local affected fishers Government of Gujarat has banned this type of line trawler fishing. Why do trawlers engage in line fishing?

3. Insecurity of fisher habitats: Fishers whose homes are on Government land are in perenial state on insecurity. If fishers offer any kind of resistance and calls for Justice then the first repressive response of the Gujarat State is to carry on demolishing houses of group of fishers tagging them illegal settlers and even decendents of terrorists with links in Pakistan - a marrative that is synonimous with milking cow of political capital of hatred. Houses on the coast are demolished along with the places of worship. It started against Muslims and then got spread to Hindus too. Demolitions by State in Gujarat is sought to be normalized. So far there are three instances of demolitions that were rolled out since 2024: Bhogat Bandar, Navadra Bandar and Hadsad Bandar. While these demolishing were targeted at Muslims the ones at Rajkot were directed to against Hindus though exact castes remains to be investigated. How religion and caste have weaponsed against fishers? Fish has no religion.

4. Okha Port has triggered demolitions of nearby fushing Jetty used by small scale fishers. Along with Jetties religious structures on the coast are also bulldozed. Here is example which occurred on 30 April 2026: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18N4bSKzpD/ .  Okha Port is prenuptial source of spread of air pollution from its handling of Coal, Bauxite  Limestone etc. Anyone who walks on the road can get her lungful share. Why Okha Port is so careless? Even pesonell from nearby Indian Navy a facing pollution threats and it has got normalized. Terrible?

5. The most formidable threat to fishing communities in and around Okha has been the dumping of Industrial waste in Arabian Sea within Marine Protected site. Multiple pipelines find the way in waters if Arabian sea releasing high temperature industrial waste almost four kilometers inside the Sea. The industrial plant is known as Tata Chemicals Limited is part of larger Tata investment into Tata Salt city - Mithapur. Fishing has taken a toll. Continues disposal of waste has already covered up more than 5 kms of space from the site of industrial plant inside the Arabian Sea Waters. Mangroves destroyed, Corals submerged. More are under massive threat as Tata tragedy aggrevates. The education level of masses here is deliberately kept at mediocre levels for efficient installation of exploitation structures that comes so close to modern day slavery of humans and barbaric tortures nature. Jobs are weaponised against local residents and chimicals are pumped into lungs too. No one is courageous enough to protest and raise their voice except ex-employer of Tata Chemicals - Devrambhai Charan Ghoda, pastoralist with affinity to Gujjars. Devrambhai has been erupting like volcanos against Tatas and have taken major steps to bring this issue to media and government attention including President of India. He has been on indefinite hunger strike recently when police intervened and stopped his tirade. He plans to resume it again at different site - in front of Gujarat State Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar. Tatas are carrying on absulute mayhem against Marine ecology and proportions might just push vast patch of Sea onto swamp. Brutality of Tatas here is unexplainable. Thinkness of layers of chemical waste on sea bed more than 20 meters over the eight decades. Tatas can donated so much for the good of nations but here in Gujarat they are destroying the same nation they claimed they are building. Tragic Tatas. What's gone wrong with Tata leadership? Why are Tatas behave so insensitive, so arrogant, so brutal to Arabian Sea, marine ecology and fishers who depend on fishing?

6. Health and Education: I found fishers fave the situation of underdevelopment in terms of education and health infrastructure. Maximum education access is standard X. No colleges are in and around in Okha. The sole college exists only on paper in Government records. No government hospitals are around. One that was functioning was shut down few years ago as the disease began to be recorded in hospital records. Doctoring of reviews was tedious process. So most easiest path was sole option: shut it down! What is the hidden intention Gujarat State to keep fishers in this State of illiteracy, poor health and contented ignorance? 

7. River fishing access denied: In Gosabara fishers are stopped from fishing in river at Gosabara. Around 600 fishers are denied access to their traditional fishing river since 2016. River is sought to be demarcated as protected site and site for tourism. This is highly objectionable eco-colonialism and neo-colonialism. Why fishers are treated in this alienating manner?

8. Sea Fishing Permission denied: local fishers at Gosabara are denied permissions for fishing in Arabian Sea from 2016. This reflects deliberate bias in Gurajrat fisheries department functioning. How can this situation be changed?

9. Boat Parking Permission deniad: Local fishers at Gosabara face lots of difficulties due to obstructions created by Fisheries department officials at Porbandar office. Fish Landing permissions are denied at Tukda Gosa, Renewal of license are not done, new registrations are denied. I got to know all this during my visit to Gosabara Boat Landing site. Lethargy and Biases of Gujarat Fisheries office at Porbandar has proliferated problems of SSF and their anxieties too. It was inspiring to witness unity of fishers here! How can we move ahead unitedly and in organise way?

This is the short narrative I share as a mark of Solidarity and call for wide spread unity to Small Scale Fishers of Gujarat, India. 

Sebastian Rodrigues 

General Secretary,

National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)

Incomplete Implimentation of NFDB - Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under PMSSY 2024-25 in coastal village of Cacra to Odxel on Zuari river bank

15 April 2026

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa, 

Panaji, Goa

Subject: FOR URGENT ATTENTION: Incomplete Implimentation of NFDB - Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under PMSSY 2024-25 in coastal village of Cacra to Odxel on Zuari river Bank

Madam,

We at All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) are constrained to bring to your attention Incomplete inplimentation of the NFDB - Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under PMSSY 2024-25 in coastal village of Cacra to Odxel on Zuari river Bank.

The work at Cacra and Odxel carried on under the above refered project is halted for several weeks. With monsoon round the corner delays from your part can jeopardize completion on the project.

We have also learned through reliable sources that delay is caused due to administrative hurdles created in your office regarding non-release of funds to the contractor who is entrusted to complete this project.

You are requested to clear all the hurdles in the way of completion of this project within two days of the inward of this letter. Failure on your part might lead to unpredictable consequences for which your officd will be held responsible for.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

Shaila D'mello

President

Laximan Mangueshkar

Secretary

Copy to:

1. NFBD, Hyderabad

2. Ministry of Fisheries, Government of India, New Delhi

3. Secretary (Fisheries), Government of Goa

Sabotage of PMSSY implimentation in Goa

 11.03.2026

Sir/Madam,

Please find attached NFDB - Administrative Approval cum Sanction order - Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) under PMSSY 2024-25 two Coastal villages for State of Goa.

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union (AGSSRFU) which is affiliated to National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF) had welcomed this project in the selected two Goa villages specially in Cacra.

Today we write to you as we have received information from reliable sources that Goa Fisheries department is attempting to sabotage the inplimentation of the project. We have come to know that two officers of Goa Fisheries department C. Velip (Director) and Sunita Pawaskar are trying to do away with installation of solar fish dryers and emergency rescue facility but putting undue pressure on those Responsible for inplimentation threats to withhold the payments to work in progress under thus scheme.

Emergency rescue facility in the project included rescue boat to be stationed at Cacra in Zuari river waters. This is under active sabotage process for the reasons best known to the Director of Fisheries. C. Velip and the junior officer Sunita Pawaskar. We failed to understand this behavior that is sabotaging central government project in Goa.

We also don't understand as to why these officers should oppose solar fish dryers proposal from implimentation.

Fishermen and Fishewomen are very dustrubed about above mentioned conduct Goa Fisheries Director C. Velip and the junior officer Sunita Pawaskar and are feeling insulted and betryed. 

We bring this to your attention to ensure your timely intervention to implement the project as sanctioned without any deviations. 

Thank you.

Regards,

Shaila D'mello

President,

Laximan Mangueshkar,

Secretary 

All Goa Small-Scale Responsible Fisheries Union.

This letter emailed to National Fisheries Development Board, Government of India who has sanctioned PMSSY scheme in Goa, with copy to Director of Fisheries, Government of Goa

illegal para sailing in Zuari river

06.03.2026

To,

Director of Tourism, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa.

Subject: illegal para sailing in Zuari river

Sir,

This is to bring to your attention continues instances of para sailing in Zuari river from Dona Paula to Cacra. We have already informed about this situation to your office earlier too beside personal meetings with you as well as concerned deputy director.

Non-action from your office of those operating illegal para sailing boats is deeply disappointing and we draw the meaning from all this experience that your office is as committed is disrupting zuari river Small scale fishery as illegal para sailing boats and illegal trawlers operating in Zuari inspite of contrary verbal assurances when we called on your office on 08 January 2026.

We hope at least now you will act decisively with impact to stop illegal parasailing in Zuari river conducted from Dona Paula.

Thank you.

Yours truly,

Shaila D'mello 

(President)

Laximan Mangueshkar

(Secretary)

Rampant illegal trawling in Zuari river

05.03.2026

To,

Director of Fisheries, 

Government of Goa,

Panaji, Goa.

Subject: Rampant illegal trawling in Zuari river

Sir,

This is to bring to your attention rampant illegal trawler fishing in Zuari river specially during might time over past one month.

Members of All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union and other fishermen on Zuari coast have repeatedly brought this to your attention with phone calls to Fisheries Control room. 

We however are disappointed over continued instances of such illegal trawler fishing in spite of all our phone calls to the fisheries control room.

Kindly initiate stringent actions against such marauding trawlers immidiately as their act also constituted Contempt of Court in Goa Bench of Bombay High Court judgment in All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union VS Government of Goa.

Thank you.

Yours truly,

Shaila D'mello 

(President)

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union 

Laximan Mangueshkar

(Secretary)

All Goa Small Scale Responsible Fisheries Union 

Siridao protests against section 39-A: some reflections

Just like so many sites in Goa protests have hit Siridao village on the banks of Zuari river. Principal target of protests section 39-A of TCP Act used for conversion of Private Forest land, natural slopes into settlement Zone.

After protests in the village on 19th February 2026 dissent got escalated with protests a TCP office at Panjim on 21st February 2026. Protesters were lifted up violently after people remained squating at night outside the doors of TCP office at Dempo towers. This time amongst those who were violently lifted out with police force includes St. Andre MLA Viresh Borkar.

Arch.Tahir Noronha has provided factual status about this land matter in his online video posted on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVDUB9dj5dL/?igsh=MTB0eTBqaDlxYmJxMg==

Do or die call is given against section 39-A and mass protests are ongoing today 23 February 2026 at Azad Maidan. 

It's Dempos who has effected change of zoning of nearly 76,000 square meters of hilly forest land of Siridao village under tribal people cultivation of vegetables for several generations even before 1968 Land Revenue Code made Goa's land sale-able. This is the law that introduced notorious Form I &XIV which imposed regime of private property decisively on Goa nearly kicking out communal land ownership laws of 1961 without formal repeal. 

Land protests in Goa have barely understood this and instead of targeting Goa Land Revenue Code 1968 - that gave "occupants " status of ownership to enter into negotiations under Transfer of Properties Act -  have launched war on section 39-A of TCP Act. Something drastically wrong in land legal governance regime in Goa. This wrong is what actually facilitated land control to eco-criminals like Dempos who massacred Goa's forests through mining for half a century.

While it is important to demonize section 39-A and get it knocked off along with all the Zone changes effected under the same provision, it is of pivotal importance to get up for long drawn struggle to repeal Land Revenue Code itself, revoke land titles granted under the same and restore communal ownership of land as per 1961 law that debars sale of land. Land, water, air, ocean, rivers, seas are essence of nature where humans should not interfere to buy and sell and should be kept out of cspitalist economy logic and must be retained as natural economy components. Anything less than this is surely, though gradually destined to take Goa to ruins and its people into slavery. 

The war needs to be intelligently waged and battles shrewdly fought. This needs some hard decisions, some out-of-box thinking and grace of God too. 

Siridao has been consistently in forefront land defence protests over past few decades. Siridao also fought in defence of its beach being declared as Blue Flag designation with exclusive use rights to tourists. Village has several well known predators with Dempos being one of the cleverest one who subdued the villages through free distribution of canji (pez) on village feast Sunday after Easter. Village also has new entrant predators such as one of the siblings of Goa Tourism Minister putting up construction next to beach and repeated efforts at blocking traditional beach access that villagers had to fight against. Siridao has beautiful beach as well as river and the large land is within ambit of CRZ regime. Palem portion of the village is predomintantly inhabitants by tribal people - Gawdas who are classified as Scheduled Tribes engaged in active cultivation of hillside that was captured by Dempos allegedly through various illicit means, not surprising considering its their common practice of aquiring land of Goa.

Siridao also have large portion of its population working in various European countries. Village is famous for its fishing, toddy taping, hillside cultivation, its articulate citizen Simon Afonso and well known artist Loretti Pinto whose art "Prayers of the faithful (2024)" depicting section 39-A in Goa's topography goes along with this blog post.

We join people of Siridao in Solidarity!

Cross storms Chowgules in Sinquerim?

 

On-the-rock Cross on the mouth of River Mandovi has triggered strange reactions from Chowgules rising in Sinquerim, Bardez. The family allegedly deployed its mercenaries and demolished the cross. However cross was seen erected back again on the rocks. Infiriorated with this development Chowgules believed to have filed complaints before Captain of Ports in Panjim. 

It has come to the attention that Captain of Ports official are moving with lentens around the cross in the Arabian sea looking for fishermen to seek information as to who constructed the cross on rocks. Perhaps Captain of Ports officials are right for the one who was nailed to the cross - Jesus - was a friend of a fisherman - Peter on which rock he built his Church. 

Chowgules squating adjacent to Aguada Jail are perhaps terrified that Cross on the rock might just be the foundation that might erode away their agendas just the way they eroded Goa's greenery and looted minerals during last over half century of dig-and-sell economy.