Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: In a massive disaster, Canacona’s prestigious Ravindra Bhavan inaugurated with much fanfare 9 months ago got virtually flooded as the first monsoon rains left several low lying areas water-logged and flooded in the entire taluka on Tuesday.
The rainwater leakage took place in the Taluka Library situated on the first floor of the Ravindra Bhavan complex, which is located exactly at the rear-side of the Main Auditorium Hall. The library got entirely flooded with rainwater seeping with the undeterred leakages in the overhead roof freely into cupboards, racks, tables and across the floor eventually flooding and over-flowing down the steps below corridors.
Library Staff worked in vain to salvage and protect the books from coming in contact with rainwater, beginning at around 10.30 am, when the first heavy rains poured and rainwater began to flow down from the roof and spread in the Library and surroundings. The workers tried to throw out the accumulated water with the help of a mop, but since the water was flooding they were unable to do much of anything.
Fearing the possibility of a short circuit in the newly built Ravindra Bhavan as the water was leaking and water was accumulating everywhere, calls were made to Fire and Emergency Services and the Electricity department as the Fire Personnel came rushing in and the power supply was cut off until the water got receded.
Later, fire personnel went on the roof trying to figure out the leakage, but could not do much, as the personnel also assisted the library staff to salvage the library books, computers and accessories besides tables and chairs.
A Konkani Tiatr ‘Mhojjem Poilem Ghor’ by Seby De Divar scheduled for Tuesday evening is cancelled by the organisers for fear of untoward incidents, as besides children, young and old have booked the show housefull and were expected to attend the show in large numbers.
Soon the news spread like wildfire and soon social workers, councilors and local leaders came rushing to obtain first hand information of the man-made disaster.
‘We wants filing of criminal charges against the culprits responsible for this grave negligence and incompetence, simultaneously we also demand immediate rectification and permanent solution and more importantly a ‘Structural Safety Certificate’ of Canacona Ravindra Bhavan from a non-government entity as a precautionary measures to safeguard the public at large.
People across party line calling it another scam by the government have called for accountability and responsibility for the disaster
A resident Eric , said, after Kala Academy, the government should also investigate Canacona Ravindra Bhavan. There are serious concerns about misuse of funds and possible scams that need immediate attention.
GFP Environmental Cell Chairman Vikas Bhagat said, ‘First, it was Kala Academy. Now, it’s the newly inaugurated library at Ravindra Bhavan, Canacona, completely flooded after just one shower! This is not a natural disaster. This is a man-made embarrassment that exposes the utter incompetence of the Art and Culture Ministry. I demand that Minister Govind Gawade step down immediately for failing to safeguard Goa’s cultural infrastructure. If he lacks the courage to resign, he must at least face the people of Goa and explain this shameful mess.’
This complex took 15 years to come up and in a matter of minutes, water washed away the government’s tall claims. Public money has been wasted. People’s patience has been insulted.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who is busy delivering sermons on “Hindu Rashtra” across constituencies sould come to Canacona. I request him to hold his next rally at Ravindra Bhavan and explain to the people how a newly built cultural institution is already crumbling. Let your karyakartas see firsthand the rot behind your rhetoric. This isn’t about politics. This is about public trust. The cultural institutions of Goa are being reduced to ruins under this government’s watch. Enough is enough! We will not be silenced. We will continue to raise our voice until accountability is enforced!’ Bhagat.
Councillor Shubhab Komarpant, blaming the early commissioning of the incomplete Ravindra Bhavan complex, said inauguration of the complex even before its full completion is the very reason what we witness today.
Chaudi councilor and ex-CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naik Gaunkar demanded that the government take strict action against the contractor for roof leakage even to the extent of getting the works redone, freeze the security deposit and blacklist the contractor for any future works.
It may be recalled that following Arts & Culture Department’s reported move to inaugurate the Canaocna’s Ravindra Bhavan even before it is completed and to match-up with Speaker/Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar’s birthday (27th July), some political activists including Congress and Goa Forward Party leaders warned against inauguration of the incomplete Ravindra Bhavan. However, Canacona Ravindra Bhavanm often called by Ramesh Tawakar as his dream project re-christened as Lata Mangeshkar Kalangan is inaugurated a month later on 27th August 2024, following several complaints including sound-system, AC, light leakages in Library, etc amongst others were pointed out and raised but were dismissed as petty issues
