Panaji, Jun 19 (NIE): Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar chose June 18 — the Goa Revolution Day to make his first public appearance after his return from the USA, and reconfirmed his resolve to end the “struggle” faced by evacuee property holders at Mayem village, calling it a fight against Colonial powers. June 18 — is the day when the movement towards the liberation of Goa took speed, after freedom fighter Ram Manohar Lohia called for everyone to unite against the Portuguese.
Parrikar who has been recovering from a pancreatic ailment — chose his words carefully, as he made his first state address at Azad Maidan, at Panjim.
For years, a section of land at Mayem, in North Goa has been owned by Portuguese nationals with the land title still retained by them even as many Goans continue to get a provisional land ownership title from the state government. The issue has been one of the longest court battles in Goa with many families directly affected by the status of the judgement. “The struggle which began 72 years ago resulted in the liberation of Goa in 1961. I feel the fight is yet to get over,” said Parrikar. “The issue of Mayem is a part of this struggle and I am working to resolve it,” he added.
Later in the day, the CM also met reporters after the cabinet meeting, where he announced the state of Goa will be entering into an agreement with the State of Hawaii, USA in a relationship as a “sister state” where they will exchange culture, tourism and technology similar to both the economies and benefit mutually. “I had visited Hawaii when I was in the Defence Ministry and I was pleasantly surprised to see many similarities. We share our culture, our food .. You feel like you are in Goa.“
In a statement issued by his office, the programme detailed co-operation in education, cultural outreach and tourism. According to Parrikar, the proposal was initially moved by The Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in the USA who had an “attraction for Indian Culture”. “If you go to Hawaii and if you wake up in the morning, without knowing where you are, you will think you are in Goa. I have been there for three days to visit Pacific command as Defence minister. I was surprised to see that it looks exactly like Goa. Their food habits are also like us, fish, rice and coconut are abundant. It looks like Goa, it has a lot of similarities like Goa and they are interested in having a sister-state relationship,” he recalled.
The cabinet also had its first important recruitment, with the state hospital expected to upgrade and design a specialised oncology care department. “We have an appointment with Dr Anupama Borkar to design an Oncology department which is updated to the best standards. She will be appointed as a senior consultant for this initiative,” he added.
Of the priority areas, he added that infrastructure is key, and he is eager the Zuari Bridge should be built with the same zeal and speed as Mandovi Bridge. “We are looking to ensure it is done at a good pace and this will be an important project in the Execution of Budgetary ideas,” he added.
On the other issue, he said that mining is a priority as it involves the employment of a sizeable portion. “It’s a complicated issue as it is (an issue) out of a Supreme Court judgement. The remedy, hence, has to be carefully thought of,” he admitted.
In the first cabinet meeting, the state has also proposed to seek for the pardon of three prisoners. A committee which sat over the matter has chosen three prisoners, all senior citizens, with one of them suffering from 100 % visual disability, with their details now conveyed to the office of the Governor for the state pardon. The prisoners have completed a punishment of ten years or more.