I have read with much consternation the recent reports about the drug menace in Goa, and the impression that the rest of India and the world has of this beautiful state!
It seems so sad that though we regarded our elders as being paramount in our lives and decisions, and believed that they would always have our best interests at heart, we have been let down so pathetically by these same elders who have sat on Panchayat and other committees in the past as we were growing up, and made decisions that, literally, gravely affected our children and even their own! And, all this because they were either too lazy to fight it, or were only interested in lining their pockets before somebody else did!
From the 1960’s onwards when Goa was first “discovered” by the rest of the world, our elders of yore encouraged foreigners and domestic tourists to exploit this gorgeous land by selling off its most valuable assets, such as land, culture, tourism industry etc. Finally, we have reached a stage where such huge numbers of bad elements are here that they are uncontrollable, and the final price we have to pay is the destruction of all our most valuable ideals, and the enslavement of our children to various addictions of smoking, alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse.
Two questions I must ask someone in authority to answer: If the Government knows that drugs are freely available in various parts of Goa, then why aren’t the Police stopping this menace more effectively, and how do the Police allow foreigners like the Israelis, Russians and Nigerians to overstay and ply their horrible trade? I believe that there is a huge nexus operating between the Police, politicians and dealers in this regard, and the only way is for the present generation of Goans to rise up and smash this nexus themselves. It is sad when any citizen of India loses the belief that they don’t have the necessary wherewithal to make the change which will impact this corner of India, and make this place safe again for their future generations!
Citizens of Goa and India, rise up and be counted again as the Jewel in the Crown, once again! Otherwise, our children will die enslaved to this horrible menace, and Goans will be viewed more pathetically than they are viewed even now.
