Contributions to Navelim constituency
“One must have a vision, as well as love for the constituency you are serving and the people for whom you are working. Those who have a will, will reap dividends. Half hearted involvement will not yield results. One must pursue with consistency. I made all efforts and brought money from Delhi, adapting various scheme available to the local situation. We have transformed Navelim into a hub for education, a model village with well developed roads, water supply, electricity, facilities for sports, senior citizens, women and children,”
~ Luizinho Faleiro.
Navelim is the Cradle of Goa’s brightest and famous minds, having nurtured the likes of Portuguese Parliamentarian and Freedom Fighter from Goa Dr Francisco Luis Gomes and the First Indian Cardinal –Valerian Gracias. Navelim constituency map has undergone many alterations and delimitations and finally came to be represented by Luizinho Faleiro in 1980, after having been represented by United Goan Party leaders, who were unfortunately always in the Opposition. Rewinding back to those heady days, Luizinho recalls that at that time, all he had was his sincerity, his immense desire to be of use to his constituents and to succeed where his predecessors had not, even as they were qualified men. In 1984, Luizinho became the only one to be elected from the Goa Congress from Navelim, even as the voters of other constituencies did not endorse the party.
From Neglected to Chief Minister's Constituency
Then a neglected constituency, with hardly an inch of tarred road or a single water pipeline, since its MLAs were always in the Opposition party, under Luizinho Faleiro, it became a minister’s constituency from 1989 onwards. Then in 1999, Navelim became a chief minister’s constituency for two short, but proud terms. It could have become a Chief Minister’s constituency in 1989 itself when the makers of the PDF government offered Luizinho the chief minister’s position, suggesting that he would be the first Catholic Chief Minister of the State. But he had the courage of conviction to refuse the offer, thanks to his parental and moral upbringing, religion and his constituents.
Today
Navelim has seen tremendous development and can boast of being a ‘work in progress’ towards becoming a Model Constituency. Navelim became the education hub with the setting up of the Rosary Higher Secondary And College, where students could spend less time in travel and more on their studies. The prestigious Dr Francisco Luis Gomes Library, drawing inspiration from the son of Navelim, remains a benchmark knowledge repository for the rest of Goa. Besides Navelim Constituency hosted State Level Educational Fairs with focus on career guidance with the participation of educational institutions.
In the past, Luizinho Faleiro has focused on women’s empowerment. More than 7000 women have been trained in tailoring and 2000 in hotel management. Luizinho regrets that the proposed College of Food technology planned at Orlim could not come up.
The infrastructure of Navelim has grown in leaps and bounds. Luizinho began with the slogan, “Every house should have electricity, water, roads and Sulabh Souchalaya toilets.” The constituency has an network of good quality roads connecting its remotest parts, providing access for communication and facilitating economic activities. Every village has piped water supply and electricity connections, making it one of the model constituencies of Goa. Presently, the sewerage connection work is in progress, to connect each house to a centralised sewerage line. In tune with Luizinho Faleiro’s outspoken love for nature, the Constituency has cherished and protected its pristine environment, the paddy fields, in particular the waters of Saipem and the four lakes in Navelim, as also the Sal river which passes through the constituency. Irrigation facilities have been augmented by constructing bunds to supply water to farmers.
Over the past 10 years Navelim has declined as the Benchmark constituency due to joblessness, lack of vision, planning and adhocism, even as it was represented by a Minister in the 2012-2017 term. When Luizinho Faleiro was charged with the responsibility of salvaging the fortune of the Congress party in Goa, he again contested from Navelim Constituency in 2017. Navelim is once again looking up to rise from mediocrity and neglect and reclaim the respect and development, its people deserve. This is possible through hard work, constant attention to the grievances of the people and a deep desire to work for his people, that had at first motivated Luizinho to accept the challenge of taking the political plunge.
Over the past 10 years Navelim has declined as the Benchmark constituency due to joblessness, lack of vision, planning and adhocism, even as it was represented by a Minister in the 2012-2017 term. When Luizinho Faleiro was charged with the responsibility of salvaging the fortune of the Congress party in Goa, he again contested from Navelim Constituency in 2017. Navelim is once again looking up to rise from mediocrity and neglect and reclaim the respect and development, its people deserve. This is possible through hard work, constant attention to the grievances of the people and a deep desire to work for his people, that had at first motivated Luizinho to accept the challenge of taking the political plunge.
Luizinho Faleiro's Vision for the Constituency
“Clean, Green, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous Navelim”
Luizinho Faleiro's Agenda For Navelim
Luizinho has a twofold plan for Navelim Constituency — to enrich the quality of life of the constituents and to maintain the infrastructure that has already been set up by him in the constituency.
Human Development
- Upgradation of Sub-Health Centre with adequate doctors and equipment to deal with lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, kidney-related ailments, blood pressure, etc,
- Development of Navelim as a hub of Modern Technical Education
- Development of Multi Skill Training Complex for youth and women.
- Priority repairs and capacity enhancement of all schools within the constituency.
Youth & Employment
- Provide gainful employment for the youth of Navelim with an emphasis on Skill development.
Children:
- Children’s Park and jogging facilities with CCTV for security.
Women:
- Women’s cell in Police Outpost for women’s security
Senior Citizens:
- Special community centres for Senior Citizens
Infrastructure Development:
- Construction of Western Bypass on stilts to save Farm Lands and Water Bodies
- Upgrade Network of roads with state of the art footpaths and lighting for security.
- Complete underground cabling for entire constituency for uninterrupted power supply.
- 24×7 uninterrupted power supply
- Connect all houses to Sewerage network and storm water drain network
- Increase capacity and modernise Navelim Sewage Treatment Plant.
Leisure and Sports
- Ensure at least one community space –either Park, Playground, Open Air auditorium, or Community hall in each ward of every village of Navelim Constituency
- Revamp infrastructure of all Football grounds in Navelim constituency
Agriculture and allied activities
- Revamp, re-equip and restore all farmers cooperatives and develop marketing outlets for farm produce.
Technology and Communication
- 100% Free Wi-Fi connectivity for Navelim Constituency for facilitation of education, information flow and communication.
Local Government
- Repair and capacity enhancement of all Panchayat Ghars within Navelim Constituency
Environment:
- Desilting and cleaning of River Sal to make it navigable, cleaning of and other water bodies and springs
- Declare four lakes including Saipen Lake as Bio-Heritage and No Development zone.
Completed Projects
Navelim Constituency faced three major problems at the present juncture:
- Low Water Pressure
- Low Electricity Voltage and
- Roads in a state of disrepair.
Luizinho took up these major problems on a war footing and has already completed laying of:
- 300mm pipelines in all 5 villages of Navelim Constituency
- The power supply was increased from 6.3 MVA to 16.3 MVA with installation of a 10 MVA Power Transformer.
Many other minor works have been completed in various parts of the Constituency.
Current Projects:
The current major project undertaken by Luizinho Faleiro is the
- Proposed New Electric Sub Station at Navelim to solve the power woes of consumers in his Constituency.
As always Luizinho Faleiro is always available to his constituents to solve any issues of common interest, for their wellbeing and for the development of his Constituency.
Francisco Luis Gomes District Library
Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes District Library is part of the Navelim Educational Hub
Luizinho Faleiro has been responsible for setting up the Dr Francisco Luis Gomes Library which was designated as a District Library and named after the illustrious son of Navelim. It was inaugurated on 21st November 2010. With the main aim of empowering students, neo-literates and public through knowledge and information, the State of the Art dream project of Luizinho Faleiro completes Navelim as an educational hub along with the Rosary School, Higher Secondary and College. The grandiose plan for the differently-abled friendly Dr Francisco Luis Gomes Library complex includes –a Cultural Centre, Amphitheatre and Senior Citizens’ Centre and Children’s Park.
At the inauguration of the Rs 20 crore Library, Luizinho Faleiro said,” Navelim is the hub of education with around 7000 students. The library will not only help the people of Navelim and Margao but the entire Goa since it will have better facilities than the Central Library. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat praised Luizinho for undertaking this mission to take education in the state to great heights. The Gerard D’Cunha designed library building has five storeys with basement and built up area of 5321 sqmts and is an asset to Navelim and surrounding areas.
At the inauguration of the Rs 20 crore Library, Luizinho Faleiro said,” Navelim is the hub of education with around 7000 students. The library will not only help the people of Navelim and Margao but the entire Goa since it will have better facilities than the Central Library. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat praised Luizinho for undertaking this mission to take education in the state to great heights. The Gerard D’Cunha designed library building has five storeys with basement and built up area of 5321 sqmts and is an asset to Navelim and surrounding areas.
Francisco Luis Gomes Memorial Trust
Luizinho Faleiro founded the Francisco Luis Gomes Memorial Trust to render yeomen service to the people in the fields of Education, Health Care, Sports and upliftment of women, with special attention to Senior Citizens. The Trust has organised several community benefit programmes such as Medical Camps for general public and camps specifically for senior citizens where thousands of people have availed of benefits.
In the past the Trust has identified several senior citizens with diabetes, high blood pressure and eye related issues. The Trust has treated thousands of Senior Citizens with ophthalmology issues and has got them treated. The Trust has also provided free spectacles to Senior citizens at a cost of approximately Rs 5 lakh.
Besides, Two Mega Health Camps were organised, one especially for Senior Citizens but where others too availed of the facilities and another Mega Health Camp for general public to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of ailments.
Luizinho Faleiro, who shares an excellent rapport with his voters, also felicitates senior citizens with Senior Citizens Awards for their contribution to society for the previous five years, through the Trust. The Trust also felicitates Teachers and students to encourage them to excel in the field of education.
Luizinho Faleiro, who shares an excellent rapport with his voters, also felicitates senior citizens with Senior Citizens Awards for their contribution to society for the previous five years, through the Trust. The Trust also felicitates Teachers and students to encourage them to excel in the field of education.
What Navelkars Say About Luizinho Faleiro
“Like a Croesus Luizinho Faleiro’s Golden Touch has brought education to the national limelight with the result that Goa was awarded the Prestigious India Trophy as the number one State in Education from President of India Dr Abdul PJ Kalam, for having the best indicators in the field of education and especially, Primary Education.”
–Extract of a Resolution passed by People of Navelim Constituency, Congress Party workers and Congress Block Committee at the Workers’ Convention.
“Our Constituency was very primitive, without roads, tap water & no facility whatsoever. From the day we elected Luizinho Faleiro in 1979, we have never repented. All these years, he worked day and night with the objective that everybody should be happy in all spheres of life. He tarred roads, got tap water, provided electricity and public transport and brought in several schemes to benefit the people.”
–Evaristo Soares, Telaulim, Navelim
“I am the President of Shanta Nagar Devasthan for the last 10 years and if I compare today with yesterday, nobody would think such development was possible. I have worked with our MLA for the last 25 years and I have never seen any type of discrimination. That is the reason we support and like him.”
–Ashok Shirodkar, Aquem Baixo
“Our MLA helped us to constitute self help groups and provide mid-day meals to students. This helped us to earn a livelihood. In our Constituency, a large number of women have been trained in making handicrafts, soft toys, artificial jewellery, candles and jute bags to help them earn their livelihood, thanks to our MLA.”
– Pooja P Shirodkar and Ahimsa Ekoskar, Shantinagar
“As a top ranker for SSC exams in my school, I was proud to be felicitated with two other top rankers in Navelim constituency. This programme was organised by the Navelim Constituency Citizens Committee under Aprant Maand by our MLA.
– Tricia Rodrigues, Student, Varca
“The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has brought in a big change in the quality of life of our students with free text books, midday meals and NCERT syllabus, raincoats, bicycles etc. Last year seven teachers of our school were felicitated for their students securing 85% and above marks in the Standard X pubic examination. Our hard work was recognised and appreciated. Our family members were so happy,”
– Sunita Timble & Manohar Siquerkar, Teachers Margao & Raia
“The architect of the change in Navelim is our MLA whom we have voted to power election after election because of his performance. His greatest contribution is his dedication to his job as MLA. He has been working sincerely and to the best of his abilities. When he takes up a case , he follows it up consistently, that’s why there are people around him. He knows people by name, family and village. Rarely, will you find a people’s representative with such personalised approach,”
– Premanand Sangodkar, Navelim