Goa Forward holds Elocution Competition on Save Mhadei for School Students despite sabotage attempts from education dept – Times of India

PANAJI: During an elocution competition, school students made a fervent appeal that everyone should forget their differences and come together to fight to prevent water from the Mhadei river being diverted.
The elocution competition on Mhadei was organized by Goa Forward Party’s environment cell and received a good response. It brought forward the importance of river Mhadei and what adverse effect it would have on Goa if water is diverted to the state of Karnataka.
Education department officials had sent messages asking teachers not to attend any programs related to Mhadei.
Ansha Ajit Naik of Nirakar Vidyalaya Mashe won the first prize, second prize went to Srija Alve of Rabindra Kelekar Gyan Mandir Margao and third prize went to Rajasv Naik of New Education Institute Curchorem.
Three consolation prizes went to Isha Mayekar (People’s Panaji) Trisha Kamat (Our Lady of Rosary, Fatorda) and Sharva Kudchadkar (Sarvodaya Kudchade).
The elocution competition was inaugurated by Goa Forward Party general secretary Mohandas Lolyekar. “Mhadei is Goa’s life and death issue,” Lolyekar said as he condemned the education department officials who prevented students from appearing in such competitions. “The officials of the education department should not become agents of the government and should pay attention to the future of the students,” Lolyekar said.
Senior GFP Leader Prashant Naik demanded that the students should also come forward to carry on this movement. Vikas Bhagat, convenor of Environment Cell, said that in order to create awareness among the students on these sensitive issues, they will also organize street play and painting competitions.
Speaking on this occasion, professor Prajal Sakhardande appealed to the students to stay informed about the challenges that the state faces.