My Goa once known as the Rome of the East is still a paradise for genuine Goans. People of Goa are of complete different culture compared to the rest of the country with a total open mind and beautiful heart and for us Goemkarponn comes first then our respective religion. Coming from a historic village of Cuncolim, the genuine Kuncollekars strongly believe that Our Lady of Health and Shantadurga Kuncollekarin fondly known as Kuncollkan are true sisters. Many Catholics seen dancing and spilling the “gulal of unity” with their Hindu brethren during the annual Sontreo festival at Cuncolim and the Hindu community at large makes a point to visit Our Lady of Health fondly called as Saude Saibinn annually on February 2, the feast day of our Church. The Catholics, specially the “Kshatriyas” make a point if around to participate in the annual Jatra utsav of Shatadurga Kunkollekarin held at Fatorpa annually. Things are different after the Pandemic but we strongly believe that both divine sisters along with the Rakhondar of the village housed at Unkinni Band, Cuncolim will work out a plan soon. Sadly Kuncollekars never got united to fight against the pollution which includes the rotten killer smell coming from the Cuncolim industrial estate. The news item dated January 3, 2021 at Sancoale on the front page of this paper is shocking, disturbing and needs to be sorted out with immediate effect.
A video wherein a jam packed crowd on one of our beaches with a single policeman looking lost in the crowd has gone viral and is very much disturbing and shocking. Who is responsible for such a serious mess? The Police, the government, the gathering or the Goans? Were SOPs not applicable to such gatherings? As a local boy, sitting in a group and enjoying few drinks decently without harming anyone is nothing new to the local Goan community but sadly the Police on patrol turned rude with many such local groups. Even the planned cultural evening at Seraulim in Salcete during the Christmas season was forcefully stopped by the Goa Police headed by a non Goan Police officer. Goans are decent, peace-loving people and we know our limitations and responsibilities as a whole but these so called SOPs are only for locals? Were the large, jam-packed crowd on the said beach as in the video gathered to welcome the New Year 2021 or the invisible virus? Is alcohol allowed on our beaches? If no, then how’s that broken beer bottles were seen on our beaches after the famous unofficial event. Who will be held responsible if the virus takes the ugly turn and turns uncontrollable? Whom do you warn Health minister of uncontrollable spike this month? Were such unofficial gatherings like the one gone viral is a part of new tourism policy? Are the laws and so called SOPs only for locals?
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Last but not the least. Is Goa open for all except Goans? I strongly believe in the creator of Goa but it looks like he too is tired of protecting us. Though in doubt but still hoping 2021 will be a good year for Goa and Goans.
