Your Ad Here

Friday 13 May 2011

Social activists, NGOs divided over Hazare's visit


PANAJI/MARGAO: Gandhian Anna Hazare's fast may have inspired people in Delhi to take to the steets, but will it bring about a revolution in Goa on Friday, too? NGOs and social activists have mixed opinions over the issue.

"Corruption has become a way of life among Goans. Hazare's visit may kick off a movement against corruption, but Goans have to decide the way forward,"anti-mining activist Ramesh Gawas said. GOACAN's Roland Martins agreed saying, "It's good Hazare is coming to Goa, but Goans should not think some leader will fight corruption for them. The people of the state must do that. While social activist Sabina Martins has decided to "wait-and-watch", social activist Kashinath Shetye felt that the Gandhian's visit would give a much-needed boost to the anti-corruption movement in Goa. Advocate Anacleto Viegas agreed, "We hope that Hazare's movement against corruption will give Goans the courage to fight this evil."

NGOS- Pilerne Citizens' Forum and the Nitoll Jinn Trust-urged Goans to attend the meeting at Azad Maidan on Friday in large numbers. Goenchea Rakhandarancho Azaz (GRA) member Rajendra Kakodkar hoped the "Lokpal Bill be given retrospective powers". "The Lokpal should have powers to investigate cases which took place in the past, like the 2G scam, CWG scam, etc."

Social activist Aires Rodrigues agreed saying that "Goa's priority should be the setting up of a Lokayukta to curb the prevailing corruption that has become the biggest obstacle to the state's development and prosperity". Margao First's Vinayak Mordekar concludes, "A strong anti-corruption movement will usher in transparency and accountability as it will instil some fear and guilt in the minds of the wrongdoers. Though it will not wipe out corruption entirely, it will at least curb corrupt practices to a large extent."

0 comments:

Post a Comment