| MOJEA MOGALL GOENKARANO,
I extend to you
my heartiest greetings on the 61st Anniversary
of the Republic Day, which we always celebrate
with great enthusiasm, pride and patriotic fervour.
The Republic Day is a day when we celebrate and
re-emphasize on the dignity of the individual
and the need to secure justice, liberty and equality
to all its citizens.
2. The country
has made great progress in all spheres of life
of our nation - be it social, political or economic.
Today, India's industrial sector is one of the
largest in the world that manufactures almost
everything that the nation and its people need.
These products range from consumer items, electronic
goods to fighter aircraft and naval ships. Every
sector of the economy has registered phenomenal
progress. This has contributed towards significant
improvement in the living standards of the people.
Expansion of health care facilities has improved
the life-span of the population. Educational sector
has made rapid strides. In Information Technology,
we are rated as one of the top leaders in the
world. We have already achieved self-sufficiency
in agriculture.
3. It is a matter
of satisfaction that our country has not only
emerged as the world's largest Liberal Democracy,
but has also joined the race to become an Economic
Super Power. The country's military might along
with nuclear capability is a strong deterrence
against external aggressions. What is equally
significant is that our country, which has inherited
one of the oldest civilizations in the world,
has emerged as a "Colourful Garden"
of ethnic diversity with one billion plus people
speaking hundreds of languages and dialects and
professing different religious faiths. But, there
is a remarkable Unity amidst Diversity. This very
diversity has proved to be the integral strength
of our Motherland.
4. However, we
must take strong cognizance of the sinister designs
of the enemies of the nation from within and outside.
Terrorism has raised its ugly head in our region.
This malaise has been eating into the vitals of
all that is precious to our country. The international
community is, by now, well aware of the forces
fanning the fire of terrorism, in the name of
religion. In fact, terrorism is anathema to any
religion. We have to face this menace squarely,
because terrorism stands for negation of progress
and co-existence. It strikes at the very root
of Secularism.
5. Our defence
forces have always remained dedicated to their
supreme duty of protecting and safeguarding our
national unity and territorial integrity. They
are fearlessly guarding the nation's frontiers
amidst unfriendly natural conditions. Their tasks
have increased manifold and have become more and
more difficult on account of the belligerence
of some of our neighbouring countries. Let us
assure all of them today that the people of this
great country would stand solidly behind them
on all occasions, and that their families back
home would be taken care of.
6. Today is a
special occasion for the people of Goa in particular
because the State has stepped into the Golden
Jubilee Year of its Liberation, which took place
on 19th December, 1961. The Golden Jubilee year
provides opportunities for serious contemplation
over Goa’s requirements for next half century.
In this background, the decision of the State
Government to constitute a high-level committee
under the Chairmanship of eminent Scientist, Dr.Raghunathrao
Mashelkar, is a welcome step. Goa’s achievements
during the last five decades, have, no doubt,
been significant and noteworthy.
7. Credit goes
to Goans for having resolved some of the contentious
issues like the political identity and official
language of their homeland. Issues like Regional
Plan-2021, Coastal Regulation Zones, widening
of the highways, protection of environment and
ecology and management of solid waste and control
on prices of essential commodities have been agitating
the minds of the people. However, these matters
are being pursued seriously by the Government
with the cooperation of the people.
8. The Regional
Plan is being notified Taluka-wise. Solution to
the construction activity in the coastal areas
is being found with the help of the Central Government.
Almost all the Municipal Authorities are taking
positive steps to establish Solid Waste Treatment
Plants. Similar facility is proposed to be created
in bigger villages as well. Prices of essential
commodities are being monitored by the Government
agencies.
9. As regards
widening of the highways is concerned, it would
be necessary to allay people's apprehensions,
if any. People must also realize that there is
no room for taking a short-sighted view of the
matter. After all, widening of roads is essential
to take care of growing vehicular traffic and
contain incidence of road accidents. It is unfortunate
that over 300 young people die on our roads and
highways and many more are maimed every year.
It is high time that wearing of helmets is made
mandatory on all roads within the State.
10. The Government
is committed to the continued development of education.
With 82.32 percent literacy rate, Goa has been
placed at 4th rank among other States of the country.
However, much needs to be done to achieve the
goal of 100% literacy and to further improve the
quality of education in the field of higher and
technical education. It needs to be mentioned
that education has improved the standard of living
of the people. It has also changed their outlook
and imbibed in them a spirit of competitiveness.
In fact, our children are now excelling in important
professional courses in institutions like IIT
and IIM. It is only through value-oriented and
quality education that our youth can ably face
the emerging challenges, especially due to the
process of globalization.
11. I would like
to mention that all possible efforts are being
made to further improve the academic standard
of the Goa University. I have recently appointed
a high-level Academic Audit Committee with eminent
personalities to study its past performance and
achievements and future requirements of the University,
so that further steps, as considered necessary,
are taken in this regard. The Committee’s
report is expected to be available in March this
year.
12. Another notable
step taken by the Government is to provide shelter
to destitute children, for which a suitable scheme
is being contemplated. In order to take administration
to the doorstep of the common man, a new taluka
of Dharbandoda is slated for creation. Besides,
a mining corridor for transporting mining-related
trucks is being built.
13. Goa has been
speedily moving ahead towards increasing urbanization.
In order to have clean cities, focus needs to
be laid on proper civic amenities, systematic
urban planning and proper urban governance. Every
individual has a responsible role to play in this
regard.
14. A comprehensive
framework to protect Environment is to be worked
out. I have already unlerlined the need for formulating
a State-level Action Plan for protection and conservation
of Environment. We owe to our future generation
to ensure the protection of Environment and rich
Bio-diversity of Goa. Due attention has also to
be paid to protection of the coastline against
erosion being caused by the global Green House
effect. People of Goa are rightly conscious about
protecting their unique cultural identity and
preserving natural environment of the State. However,
in our efforts to protect the environment, we
should not lose sight of our long term all round
development on modern lines. Our effort towards
progress should, therefore, be balanced.
15. Tourism Development
is an important economic activity in terms of
employment generation and economic growth for
the State. So far 90% of tourism in Goa has been
“Beach-based”. Apart from maintaining
our edge in this regard, it is equally important
to initiate the process for diversification of
tourism. To this end, the current central scheme
of “Integrated Infrastructure Development”
for heritage, hinterland, adventure and eco-tourism
in Goa has to be implemented speedily.
16. The quality
of Airport Infrastructure is critical in maintaining
Goa’s international competitiveness in the
field of tourism. Action is afoot for (i) Upgradation
and Expansion of the existing Dabolim airport
( likely to be completed by June, 2012); and (ii)
to develop a Greenfield International airport
at Mopa in North Goa, which would, of course,
take 4-5 years to materialize. Keeping in view
the fast growth of Civil Aviation and the estimated
increase in passenger and cargo traffic in the
coming years as well as the requirements of general
aviation, the urgency to pursue the construction
of Greenfield International airport at Mopa (on
Private-Public Partnership model) cannot be overemphasized.
It may be mentioned that both the airports can
co-exist.
17. Friends, Goa
is also celebrating the Birth Centenary of its
first Chief Minister, late Shri Dayanand Bandodkar.
This great soul has been responsible for laying
the foundation for Modern Goa. Let us also pay
homage to the memory of this popular leader. Besides,
there were other great leaders like late Dr. Jack
de Sequeira, who toiled hard to retain separate
identity of Goa. Goans cannot afford to forget
the services rendered to their homeland by such
great leaders.
18. Goa is known
for peace, harmony and cosmopolitan outlook the
world-over. I have no doubt that the people of
Goa will continue to maintain this unique tradition.
19. On this solemn
occasion, I once again wish the people of Goa
the very best in their future and appeal to them
to strive hard for the greater progress and prosperity
of their State and the Nation. I visualize a very
bright future for Goa to emerge as the first fully
Developed State in the country before the end
of the current decade.
JAI HIND
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