Mission Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa in association with Goa Tribal Association held an awareness meeting at Rachol village Panchayat in Salcete Taluka

Goa Khabar:‘Mission Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa’ in association with Goan Tribal Association held an awareness meeting at the residence of Sarpanch Shri. Joseph Vaz on Monday 8th May, 2023. Joseph Vaz is also the President of ST organisation Goan Tribal association.

Shri. Kanta Gaude and Shri. Govind Shirodkar expressed their views on the occasion. Kanta Gaude put light on the struggle of late Tribal leaders like Anton Gaonkar, Babuso Gaonkar, Peter Gama, Mama Cardoz etc. for recognising Gauda, Kunbi and Velip communities as Scheduled Tribes communities of Goa. “Our leaders have sacrificed their entire life so that our Childrens can have a better future by joining the mainstream. However, even after 20 years, we have not been given constitutional rights.” He said.

Govind Shirodkar explained the importance of representation of ST communities in the Goa Assembly and in the house of the people under Article 330 and 332 of the Constitution of India. “ If this one demand is fulfilled, the remaining constitutional rights of the ST communities will automatically get settled, as the elected ST MLA’s from reserved seats will become the voice of the community in the assembly” he said. He further appealed to get ready for a bigger movement of the ST community if the Government and Goa CM sits over the proposal for ST reservation.

Sarpanch Shri. Joseph Vaz gave a call to the community to come together and support this Mission and be ready to give their time for this movement so that their children can see a better future.

The executive members of Mission were felicitated at the hands of Sarpanch Joseph Vaz for their dedicated work towards the community. 23 meritorious students from Rachol who had topped for the academic year 2022-23 were also felicitated.

Later, all the villagers present for the meeting celebrated the Birthday of Sarpanch Joseph Vaz.

President of Mission John Fernandes along with executive members Govind Shirodkar, Kanta Gaude, Rupesh Velip, Costantino Faleiro, Ravindra Velip, Francisco Colaco, Joycee Dias, Rama Kankonkar and President of Mission Salcete Taluka Shri. Herculean Niaso were present for the meeting.