SEZ -- A REALITY OR DISASTER ?

What is all this Hullaballoo about SEZ - Special Economic Zone ? Special Exploitation Zone ? Special Entertainment Zone ? Special Evil Zone ? Social Exploitation Zone ? Ah ! what is all this about ?

The state government as we may be aware, is trying to bulldoze it’s way through in making the Special Economic Zone or the SEZ as it is commonly known, in the Gorai-Uttan Coastal Belt, a reality. Anyway, how does it affect anybody ? Does it affect you ? Does it affect me ? Perhaps NO, at the moment.

A few points -

--- Do you enjoy the fish that you get from the Gorai - Uttan Coast, fresh from the sea ?

--- Do you enjoy the fresh green vegetables that come from this region ?

--- Do you enjoy you picnics near Gorai beach ?

Well, if government has it’s way, then all this may be a thing of the past ! This coastal belt is being taken over by the government for their ill-conceived SEZ. NOW, THE MORE IMPORTANT POINT - THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS OF THIS REGION STAND TO LOSE THEIR LAND, THEIR OCCUPATION, THEIR LIVELIHOOD, EVERYTHING ! Are we willing to come out of our comfort zones and join hands with them and other like minded organizations to fight the government ?

On the 17th of February 2008, a protest rally was organized by various organizations, at Marve/Manori/Gorai Jetty/Esselworld. The newspapers reported the next day, that about 10000 people attended the rally. How many of us from orlem were there at Marve Beach, which is not very far from Orlem ? Sadly, just a handful ! Even the Police Force present there, outnumbered the protestors ! A parish that claims to have around 20,000 parishioners, could muster only handful. So much for our solidarity with our SEZ affected folks. Will the SEZ become a REALITY for the government or will it be a DISASTER for the people, the answer is in our hands !

(MELVILLE X. D’SOUZA, Phillann, Lourdes Colony-Sector 3)