GOA TO BE TOURISM HUB!
WE WANT ECO-FRIENDLY TOURISM! Says Minister for Tourism, IT, Printing & Stationery Rohan Khaunte in the run-up to the NoMoZo 5:O event coming up in the new year of January 2024. He has exciting plans to wean tourists away from beaches, to experience another Goa beyond beaches. His vision, he shared with media people recently, is to transform Goa to be the hub of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism in India and the world. There is a Goa beyond beaches and nightlife, he says, emphasizing the untapped potential of the state’s rich culture, “Goa is more than just beaches, it’s about preserving our unique identity and legacy through cultural events and festivals. We are aiming to attract high-quality tourists who can significantly contribute to our economy.” These were his reflections while announcing details of NoMoZo which is “to bring people together in a no-motor zone, preserving Goan culture for generations. It started as a small idea but has grown, thanks to the support of Porvorim’s residents and the leadership of Ninil D’Souza.” Porvorim’s visionary document spans two decades, he added, “Essential infrastructure, combined with innovative parks like the Art Park, Nana Nani Park, Science Park, emphasize Porvorim’s commitment to community bonding and nature appreciation.” Goa is all set to focus on NoMoZo community friendship, wellness and spiritual tourism in which the National Institute of Ayurveda will be playing a key role in attracting investments and happy lifestyles! Read upcoming projects like support for local artisans, the upcoming Porvorim flyover, a comprehensive vision document for the next 15-20 years and Goa is on its way to being a positive, long-term, inclusive tourism hub. In the meantime, do participate in NoMoZo, “NoMoZo is about remembering simpler times through nostalgia, creating moments, and preserving the essence of ‘Goenkarponn’ for the next generation.” Amen to all that of course!
SORT OUT DUAL CITIZENSHIP
OUR BJP leaders should first sort out the dual citizenship issue first and then dream of winning the South Goa Lok Sabha seat in the next Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2024!
BJP state president/Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade while speaking to media persons recently said his party is against dual citizenship. The reason why he had raised this particular issue in parliament is because he wants the process of providing citizenship to speed-up in our country (especially in Goa) at the very earliest.
This clearly tells us that the BJP leaders are not at all interested in a solution for Goans over dual citizenship, but only interested in taking away even their basic fundamental rights by mischievously revoking their Indian passports on flimsy reasons, and branding them as anti-nationals under some pretext or other.
What do the BJP leaders really think about Goans? That Goans who have/are still opting for Portuguese passports are ungrateful people, who don’t love their own home state as motherland? The reason why most minority or Christian Goans are opting for Portuguese passports and migrating to some European countries is because respective Goan governments have miserably failed to create jobs with decent income to lead a comfortable life, to support their families in Goa.
BJP instead of punishing Goans for holding/opting for Portuguese passports, by revoking their Indian passports, to play dirty communal politics, should sort out the problem fairly at the earliest. Take into account ground realities and use simple common sense — before dreaming of winning the South Goa Lok Sabha seat in the next Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2024!
—Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
FARMING COMMUNITY SHOULD SHUN BJP
THE farming community of India is a big family, farming by the sweat of their brows to provide food security for the country. It should never forget that more than 700 agitating farmers lost their fellow farmers lives in the agitation against the three farm laws – there was delay in repealing them because of the prime minister of India. All the money he is distributing now cannot bring the lives of the dead again.
Make the BJP party bite dust! Remember how they tortured farmers with situations and swept their misdeeds under the carpet. Our farming brethren, come out in large numbers and reject arrogant BJP government. Give India another chance to be governed by more compassionate government.
—Elvidio Miranda, Panaji
MAY 2024 BE HAPPIER!
WISHING my fellow Goans a happier New Year and 2024. I remain so very humbled with all the prayers and blessings of my dear friends and well-wishers across the globe, wishing me well on my new chosen path in 2023. It was a personal decision not taken lightly but thought carefully through and because of the reasons that are now in the public domain.
All that I can do now is reassure every Goan and person at large that I will tread this chosen path with confidence and hope, while keeping the best interests of Goa and my fellow Goans always very close to my heart, not forgetting my great India.
The welfare of my Goa and my dear fellow Goans will always be a priority and my utmost responsibility, a duty that I shall shoulder till my very last breath. As a proud Goan, I will always owe a debt of immense gratitude to my motherland which I may never be able to repay in my lifetime. May God always continue to keep our Goa and Goans blessed in the years to come.
—Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar