Navhind Times | 3 months ago | 28-01-2022 | 01:22 am
Staff ReporterPanaji“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…” the opening line of the 35th poem of ‘Gitanjali’, an anthology of poems by Rabindranath Tagore opens up a personal letter by Utpal Parrikar to the citizens of Panaji, who will contest the forthcoming state assembly election as an Independent candidate from Panaji constituency.The letter released on Thursday makes an emotional appeal to the ‘Ponjekars’ stating, “For over three decades, my father and erstwhile chief minister of Goa, Mr Manohar Parrikar – Bhai as he was fondly called by many – worked hard to make Panaji a vibrant, safe and modern city.”“I have seen and experienced first-hand, the trials and tribulations he faced and the sacrifices he was required to make when it came to us, his family. But to him, Panaji was his first love and Ponjekars, his extended family and to him, the sacrifices were worth the abundant love, respect and adulation showered upon him by Ponjekars.”The letter further states, “After his untimely death however, things have taken a dismal turn and today, Panaji city finds itself languishing and risks moving towards a dystopian city. Arbitrary increases in municipal/ sanitisation charges, woeful levies on trades and business, unfair parking regulations/ fees, unplanned development, discriminatory and malafide zone/ FAR changes and the unbridled flourishing of illegal and immoral activities within city limits has ensured that Panaji is fast deteriorating and the original rich, cultural, educated and suave fabric of this great city is in danger of being destroyed.”“Given these abysmal circumstances, I had only two options – one, to be a mute and passive spectator and watch the steady but certain decline and eventual demise of this eclectic city or two, take up and continue Bhai’s good work and ensure that the city regains the pristine glory it enjoyed during his time,” it adds.“I am happy to inform you that it is with a true sense of responsibility and with great humility that I have chosen the latter”,he said.
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