update by GGRM Secretary, Kim

It's been an eventful week since the 21st when we met at Holy Spirit Church Margao .
Geraldine Fernandes has taken the first step by extending support under GGRM to the Nuvem anti mega project cause .This has however not gone very well with the Sarpanch of Nuvem who had made a complaint to the police that she trespassed at the Panchaat used the Panchayat phone to threaten him. A case has since been registered against her.

On Thursday a group of GGRM activist namely Geraldine ,Paul Fernandes ,Solon ,Alvito and the undersigned went to the Margao police station to support the villagers from Davodem Margao who had come to protest . Damodar one of the anti mega housing activist that had been beaten up by the builder lobby while the local councillor did nothing. While the SP was hearing the people well over a 100, the Councillor walked in saying he would not take a seat unless the outsiders referring to us were asked to leave .The crowd got furious at the GGRM persons being called outsiders, seeing this he left.

Its ironical that while a man is beaten and in hospital a case is yet to be registered and the persons who have done this roam free, while Geraldine has been accused and a case registered on the basis of using the Panchayat phone and talking over the phone to the Sarpanch by a lady is referred to as a threat!!.

The SP Margao referred to GGRM by telling the people of Davodem that they must listen to their leaders [GGRM ] If the moment was not so tense I would have told them that we are not leaders but we GGRM, are supporting each other in our struggle for a better Goa .making us leaders sounds more political which we are not .

Varca Fatrade villagers held a meeting and a press conference at the site where a proposed football ground is due in what is fertile land lush with paddy to be harvested .If the ground comes up over 14,000 sq feet of land will be acquired and filled the remaining paddy fields as well will be affected .Villagers of neighbouring Orlim joined them in support.

Its sad that each day at least a minimum of 2 pages are devoted of the news paper to some protest or the other but this it seems is of little consequence to our elected representatives be it at the Panchayat or in the State Government .

Lots of calls as to what is happening as GGRM has not yet given any formal press release as discussed till date since the 21st Sept.

Must say a big thank you to Ranjan Solomon who put together a super presentation which was accepted with a few suggestions and contribution .If not we would have spent a lot of time perhaps days on the matter .Thank you!!

Kindly advise if the memorandum is ready if its not to be given out as this will take the 'Wind out of the sail 'then please note and accept any suggestion that you may think fit to add one such has been put forward by Alvito from Colva that we must make mention that the Comumidade land is to be preserved and not sold or acquired to facitalitate the builder lobby.

Cell /Tel Numbers
Alvito Colva -9890557167
Franky Davidem 9890265256
Geraldine GGRM Convenor 9822146420
Paul Fernandes GGRM Pilerne 997091225
Fr Bismark 9923040360
Ida Couthinho Orlim Gaum Rakhon Manch 2744368
Jason Fernandes Taligaon Bacho Abhiyan 9764324074
Orland Carmona 9823491364
Peter Fernandes Pilerne 9860755207
Seby Siolim 9923336347
Soter 9890056616

Please add to the above list .

Looking forward to seeing bus loads from each village in Panjim on 1st Oct by 9:30 am .Please co ordinate with neighbouring villages if the required numbers are not met then perhaps they can combine and come to Panjim in one bus .Please mobilize the crowd we need to be heard .

Till the 1st Oct 2008 keep well !!

Kim Miranda
Secretary GGRM
Cell 9422443855