In a significant push for civic engagement, a new 'people's movement' spearheaded by former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Ferdino Rebello is set to hold its first major public interactions in Goa this week. The initiative aims to forge a broad-based, non-political coalition of citizens to address pressing state issues.
Public Meetings to Launch the Movement
The movement will formally kick off with two key public meetings. The first gathering is scheduled for Mapusa on January 14, followed by a second meeting in Margao on January 15. These events are designed as open forums for discussion and mobilization.
Justice Rebello emphasized that the primary goal of these interactions is to deepen public understanding of the multiple challenges facing Goa. The meetings will centre around a proposed 10-point charter, which will outline the core issues and demands of the movement.
Building a Unified Platform for Goa
Explaining the rationale behind the multi-city approach, Justice Rebello stated that for any meaningful movement to succeed, grassroots understanding and widespread participation are crucial. "No movement can go forward unless people understand what the issue is, and unless we have groups working with us everywhere," he told sources.
The strategy involves bringing together a diverse set of stakeholders who have previously worked in silos. The movement seeks to consolidate the efforts of individual activists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and concerned citizens under one common, non-partisan umbrella.
A Long-Term Vision for Collective Action
Looking beyond the initial meetings, Justice Rebello outlined a structured plan to ensure sustained impact. "Our idea is to create a database and build an organisational structure so that future struggles are not isolated," he revealed.
This forward-thinking approach aims to prevent the fragmentation of civic efforts. By establishing a centralised network and a clear organisational framework, the movement hopes to create a lasting mechanism for coordinated public action on issues affecting Goan society, environment, and governance.
The upcoming meetings in North and South Goa districts are therefore seen as foundational steps in building this pan-state citizens' platform, moving from isolated advocacy to a powerful, collective voice.
