Hs we witness the mess of governance in Goa, a very worrisome question arises in my mind and I ask myself as to how long are we going to suffer at the hands of the present government? But above all I further ask, “What does it take for a Goan to change his/her heart?”
Yes, to change your heart and try to bring back those nostalgic glorious days when every community played their significant role in living in peace and harmony. And even celebrating every festival with religious fervor. The Goa that foreign tourists of all walks of life came and admired and enjoyed our history-culture and heritage. The times when our Goans expatriates came down on holidays and enjoyed every minute of being at their birthplace. The time when we all celebrated our traditional festivities without any hindrance. The times when Goan musicians entertained the world. The times when visitors enjoyed our sausage-bread irrespective of their faith and culture.
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There is no doubt that we take pride in each and every Goan festival and its culture but now we are at different crossroads altogether. So far, neither the demand for change nor the silence of music has reverberated into the corridors of power, so there is a need to demand a change of heart. And the saddest part is that the callous attitude of Goans seems to be still looming large. So the question arises once again to those who still say “Amkam kiteak poddlam?”(why should we be bothered?).
“Amkam poddlam kiteak”, Goa today has been battered left, right and centre by the present political dispensation. And it’s time to say in a loud and clear voice, that enough is enough. After all, the way things are happening in our state, I see no conscience nor has the soul been stirred up towards the present horrifying situation. The state looks as if under a siege where neither peoples’ voice nor opposition voices are heard of. At the moment, Goa is in a huge debt trap due to mismanagement of the state economy. The loot and plunder goes unabated. Were we not promised a corruption free government by the BJP? Today every project undertaken in Goa is laced with corruption. The classic example is our prestigious Kala Academy which is crying foul of its past glory. The morons in whom people laid their trust were allowed to be bought and sold in the open market are now mere spectators in the gallery but were seen showering praises of the king. Their utter silence on major issues plaguing Goa today has Goans confused at large.
At least playing havoc with our heritage and battering of Panjim city should have opened up the eyes of every Goan, but instead their whispers of dismay seem to be only drowning in the Mandovi waters. And the captain seems to be having his last laugh with his bandwagon of thieves who by all means should have been drowned in the sea of sins of commission and omission. The infamous ED & CBI too has been blindfolded by their political masters against the monsters of corruption in Goa only to cling to power by hook or crook. Today, almost every project undertaken is shrouded with a scam. And the kingpins of scams are patronised by the government itself.
It’s an open secret as every Goan has seen the destruction that is going on in the name of development. But what we fail to understand is development at what cost? The nature’s bounty like hills and forest cover have been brazenly razed or sold to the highest bidder and that too in not so transparent manner. The village panchayats have become just a pawn in the hands of the TCP who in turn are hand in glove with their political masters. The TCP is the biggest corrupt monster in the making which clandestinely facilitates the illegalities to its maximum. Hence it has become a milking cow for the government agencies as well as for the politicians.
If the recent horror and ethnic cleansing in the state of Manipur has not stirred your soul at least now the Goans need to take a leaf out of it and read between the lines. Many lessons are to be learnt. The silence of today may be too late and welcoming for the ghost to take full advantage in our peaceful state. In the recent past the waters have been tested by throwing small pebbles. So preventive measures are definitely worth taking before you and I get drowned in it.
How many times will you fall prey to your MLA’s gimmicks? How many golden loaves have you been fed in the run-up to the assembly elections in the past? For how long are you willing to sell your precious vote to those whose only intention is to loot, destroy and plunder Goa? Remind yourself of how some of them managed the drama after winning on Congress ticket only to jump into the BJP camp not so long ago.
In the name of development the statues of Shivaji and (Lord) Parusharam have been silently made inroads in Goa irrespective of how much relevance it has to Goa and Goans. But those who call themselves as Gõemkars in the government have till date failed to honour our niz Gõemkar who toiled to keep Goa as a separate state. They have forgotten that had it not been for our late great leader Jack de Sequeira, all the present crop of politicians would have been selling tomatoes in Maharashtra State.
So it is time to ponder as to why such mischievous activities are undertaken by the present government as it fails to honour the rightful Goan beloved soul. It’s a worrisome trend for Goans. Many such incidents may be forthcoming and hence Goans definitely have to stand firm. Or will you just watch and be a mute spectator?
The only weapon we hold is our precious vote. Remember the vote you cast last time. Remember whom you voted for and what was the end result of it. How long will you allow yourself to be bought and taken for a ride? How long will you enjoy their filthy ill gotten doles? How many water-connections will you need to clean your conscience? How many house-repairs will you undertake during the five years? How much will you drink and be merry at their cost? How many bottles of free liquor will satisfy your thirst and for how long? How long will you be tamed and shamed by them? How long will you bear their brunt and face arrogance that is silently destroying Goa?
So, speak out loud and clear. Your silence will only embolden the enemies and bring more misery to Goa. Let’s face the enemy together. It’s there just next door. Together we can always win the battle against caste and creed and corruption.
The only option left today with every Goan is to vote consciously and conscientiously. Stop falling prey to the doles and give-aways from the candidates that will only haunt you for rest of your life because you and only you shall be responsible for destroying of whatever is left of Goa. So, will you introspect and get ready to change your heart at the next elections and save Goa for Goans? Remember, the fate of Goa and Goans lies into your hands. So, stop selling your precious vote and save Goa.”
