News from Goa on how a potent cocktail of issues are transforming the former idyllic paradise and, a local event to educate and inspire.
In a connected world diaspora and interested parties can add value to our own communities and help those in far away places. And, although regarded as very British, my family come from a province in India called Goa though I grew up in Berkshire.
Problems in paradise?
Lonely Planet sums up the popular image of my origin very well. “Pint-sized Goa is more than beaches and trance parties. A kaleidoscopic blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood and spirituality, there’s nowhere in India quite like it.”
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/goa
But all is not as it seems in this tropical paradise with potent cocktail threatening to desecrate the utopian eden with the toxic problems corruption, urbanisation, cultural decay, decadent tourism, drugs, prostitution, and sex trafficking.
Are you interested? Do you want to know more? Come to an open discussion at 2pm (to 3pm) on Saturday 29 September 2018 in Windsor entitled, “Goa – Paradise Lost? Progress or Environmental,Social and Economic Destruction?”
Our guest speaker
Leading the discussion will be environmental activist John Fernandes, who has spent the last 10years in Goa, working with grass roots organisations, including The Federation of Rainbow Warriors and umbrella organisations, on specific environmental issues. Prior to this John spent the previous 30 years in Britain, lecturing at many colleges and further education establishments including the Metropolitan Police’s training college at Hendon and Kilburn Polytechnic.
A former Chair of the Council of Academic Freedom and Standards, a London based voluntary organization, he was also an active trade unionist and is recognized widely for his work in the Anti-Racist and Anti-fascist struggle in the UK.
More about the event
The event will be held at 2pm (1hr) at All Saints Church, Dedworth Road, Windsor SL4 4JW – please get your tickets in advance to ensure sufficient catering.
Here is a snippet of some issues to be highlighted;
- Who decides what’s best for Goans? Democracy, political parties, politicians, corporations, religious organisations, workers, peasants, activists groups, NGOs. the people,etc
- More about the Regional Plan, Land grabbing, Coal, Rivers, Mining, Concretization, Sewage, Garbage, Road Deaths, Pollution, Islam, Caste, Jobs, Language, Migrants, Corruption, Urbanisation, Multi-complexes, cultural decay, tourism, drugs, prostitution, and sex trafficking.
- Goa future: Special Status for Goa, Agricultural Revival, 73rd and 74th Amendment, Ruralisation/Community oriented?
It promises to be an “eye opening” and enlightening event so come along.
How to get your tickets
Tickets cost £3 and the event will include simple refreshments. The first 25 tickets are free.
You can order your tickets at the EventBrite ticketing site at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/goa-paradise-lost-tickets-50314604336
Don’t miss out
Don’t miss out. Come along and make new friends, network, learn more about our world, learn new skills, help protect the world we live in.
For more information on some of the issues in Goa, click here to read an article by Travel Counsellor, Christopher Pereira entitled, “The Destruction Of Our Environment – A Goan Perspective”
Let’s keep working together to put people first; justice and democracy for all.
Accountably yours,
Wisdom
WWRA Councillor, Wisdom Da Costa, Clewer North, Windsor
Credits
Photos from The Raindow Warriors Federation
Caveat
This post is part of Cllr Wisdom Da Costa’s regular series of Blogs to inform and empower local residents; as he promised in his election leaflet
The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the West Windsor Residents Association (WWRA).