As Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar-bab has not been able to move the Navy which is occupying Goa's Civilian airport at Dabolim for defence purposes since 1961, but on the contrary , he has been instrumental in actively promoting the new airport at Mopa, which was proposed by the erstwhile Congress government, much to the angst of Goans who believe that with the new airport at Mopa, if and when it becomes a reality, Goa's cherished Dabolim airport will be appropriated by the Navy and lost to Goa forever as the most centrally located Civilian airport of Goa since 1958. Not only Manohar Parrikar, but the long line of past Chief Ministers of Goa, have not only not been able to tell the Navy to move out and get this done and over with once and for all for lack of courage and a sense of purpose, but have, on the contrary placated the Navy by handing-over the possession of Goa's Anjediva Island as a gift to the detriment of the general public, with the Navy having stopped the customary pilgrimage worship at the island in practice for centuries, and for which the Navy has agreed in the signing of the M.O.U. of transfer.
As the Union Defence Minister, Manohar-bab now can kill two birds in one shot. One, get the Navy to move to Sea Bird base at Karwar, lock-stock-n-barrel, to declare Dabolim as the sole international airport of Goa, and two, stop Mopa airport in its track. This will bring endless cheers to Goa and Goans, especially when Goans are presently getting ready to be on the war path to stop the Mopa airport from going any further, wanting the Navy to move out to clear all hurdles for the development of Dabolim as the fullfledged International airport of Goa.
Charity, it is said, starts at home. If Manohar-bab really loves his Goa, he will, no doubt, put this issue first on his agenda as the illustrious Goa born Defence Minister of India, and a beloved son of Goa.
Sd/-
floriano lobo
Gen. Secretary and Spokeperson.
Mobile: 9890470896
Email: goasuraj31@gmail.com
Website: www.goasu-raj.org