Tiny plant it was, that was planted at the doorstep!
Lo and behold! Now, it has crept up so high up that its almost touching the clouds!

Background

Omkar Sports and Cultural Club of Loliem, Canacona is not just yet another registered organization, but a movement initiated and nurtured by the dedicated youth of this beautiful village.

Four decades back, Madditalap- the place where the office of Omakar Sports club is now located was a secluded barren plateau. The landless villagers who were fed up of harassments by the landlords slowly started migrating to this isolated plateau.

Eventually they managed to purchase the land on which their houses were built. Gradually this barren plateau was transformed into a full fledged village. For divine protection the god fearing locals installed a huge Lord Hanuman idol. Today, a Hanuman temple stands in that place. Over a period of time young enthusiastic blood started gathering at the temple, brainstorming on various issues of significance to the society.

The Omkar Sports and Cultural organization emerged as fallout of these discussions and meetings way back in 1995. During the instantiation of the club nobody gave a serious thought to formalities such as aims, objectives, agendas, quorums and the like. But the members were charged with the idea of doing something constructive for the betterment of the society.

Omkar Club Torch Bearers 

Whilst engaging in regular cultural and educational activities like other clubs, the Omkar Sports club always displayed its strong affiliation   to the well being of the Loleim people.

This is precisely why the Omkar club members have always been on the forefront. May it be  helping during Canacona floods, fighting the mining menace or tackling any other problem of public concern.

The devastating flood which hit Canacona on 2nd October 2009 made hundreds homeless. Help came from all quarters of the state. Poor club of the poor people could not help much in financial terms. But displaying immense richness of heart, the club members worked day and night to help the victims of this one of a kind calamity.From cleaning the houses which collapsed due to floods to pacifying the victims to helping them build their houses the club members did whatever there was in their capacity to help their fellowman.The club members many of whom are daily wage workers themselves went out of their way to rebuild the washed away house for a poor lady from Paiguinim.

Omkar club's role in fight against regional plan

The Omkar club members stood up against the controversial Regional Plan which challenged the very existence of Goa in response to the call given by Goa Bachao Abhiyan.

 The members were with Goa Bachao Abhiyan till the time that the plan was scrapped.

Omkar club up in arms against mining in Loliem

During the same period efforts were on to start mining activities in the scenic Loliem village.

The entire village was up in arms against this. In this agitation too the Omkar club members were in forefront.

Initiative to start libraries at Loleim 

Educated and informed youth is the biggest asset of any society. The Omkar club has undertaken several initiatives to empower the youth from the community.The Government library in the Loleim village had almost closed down. The club took the initiative to restart this library with due help from the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Goa.

 The club has also been able to generate some employment through these initiatives. In association with the Government the club has started two libraries. Out of these the Mashem-Loleim Vachan Sadhana has been started recently.

To feel the sufferings of the society one needs to awaken ones sensitivity. The sensitivity which cannot be and should not be bound by caste, creeds , religion and geographical boundaries.

The catastrophic Gujrat Earthquake of 2001 shook the entire country. Entire world extended a helping hand. Omkar club also played its sruirrels role to help the distant brethren in distress by collecting aid in the form of money, clothes and other utility items from door to door.

To teach oneself the virtue of asking help for the sake of others was the larger goal which was more than served in this endeavour.

The club has also started several programs to boost the skills of the youngsters of the village. The club noticed that the number of fields that were left barren was increasing over the years and took the initiative in finding out the reasons for this. Efforts were made to understand the problems of the farmers, to establish dialogues between the government officials and the farmers and even to repair and build ‘bundhs’ and ‘nullahs’.

Even in the field of education and public health the club has tried to do its bit.

To attract cricket crazy youngsters to traditional games such as Kabaddi, the club also organsied taluka level Kabbadi tournaments.

Some members also took the initiative to start Yoga classes for the people of the village. Amidst this the club has also managed to win laurels at the Goa Yuva Mohotsav for 3 years.