Youth should stand for panchayat elections. We know exactly what we need and aspire for, might as well take the power into our hands. Why beg in front of the greedy politicians? 2. Vote for assembly elections wisely. Draft your “demands letter”. If your candidate fits the bill, vote for him/her. 3. If any candidate promises you to pay you cash every month after elections if they win, ask them to transfer that same amount before elections. 4. Question all the prospective candidates; ask them for a debate just like the US presidential elections take place. – Valerie Afonso, Dabolim
The youth can qualify a person as their candidate to represent themselves based on the below 3 points.
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Firstly, a person who can stand and fight for the truth. Secondly, If the person has earlier fought for their needs and aspirations and got their things done/ converted. Thirdly, if the person can draft his/her election manifesto in a manner that S/he can be held accountable before the court for unfulfilled promises. If all these 3 things are satisfying then the youth should go all out to support and ensure that their candidate is elected. – Alvito D Costa, Artist, Shiroda
The youth need to spread awareness of the role and qualities a candidate should have. Members of the Legislative Assembly should understand the present laws and plan new laws for the betterment of the people. They need to listen to our voices and represent them in the Assembly. Most of us think MLA is needed to sponsor, donate and have influence. The right candidate will be selected only if people know what exactly is the role of a MLA. – Steven Vaz, Musician, Dabolim
The passion and vigour of today’s youth are second to none, and as such our Goan youth have the ability and potential to ensure a better tomorrow. However, a lack of interest and participation from our youth seriously hinders any potential progress. It is important that our youth change their attitude, understand the responsibility, take interest and actively participate for Goa. What we need today is firstly for our youth to not turn a blind eye, and to learn and understand the issues plaguing our state, by being involved in relevant discussions and events. We also need the youth that do understand to raise awareness and educate the rest of our peers and communities about these issues and the necessary changes and solutions, followed by active healthy discussions and conversations with the representatives to ensure that the youth and public voices are well heard and well represented. The collective voice of all our youth is the need of the hour, and it can bring about a huge positive change. – Gilbert Soyus, Student Researcher, Conservationist, Calangute
To ensure that suitable candidates are elected, the youth must make themselves aware of the policies and their implications that concern them like employment, educational facilities, transport and infrastructure. They should also seek clarity on the stand of the candidates who wish to contest, regarding these issues in public fora like social media. – Richa Sardessai, Asst. professor, Taleigao
We cry of corruption, we cry about no jobs, we fear what is coming next in these very uncertain times. Are you not tired of all the political and environmental menace in Goa? Do you wish for a better tomorrow or fall more into slavery of politicians and live at their mercy? Stand for yourself, no one else will do it for you, God probably has stopped producing “saviours” anymore. “BE THE CHANGE, TO SEE THE CHANGE” – Lloyd Pereira, (Senior IT Systems Analyst), Quepem
Well it’s actually a process to identify persons with honesty, integrity, education and stature, having a Vision for Goa, and then to mobilise and get together a platform of small youth groups in their own villages and/or constituencies to convey to the masses with its common ideology, issues involving concerns e.g. clean governance, public welfare, Health, etc, especially the environmental issues which are at the moment takes priority. Honestly, at this point in time considering that the elections are away in just 4-6 months, which is going to be challenging, it’s an uphill task. However, there are exceptions in two or three constituencies I think, which I could assess from what I read or hear in several forms of media, that there would be an option to go for such ideal candidates espousing these attributes and a common vision in conformity with the interest and vision the youth have for our beautiful state of Goa – Adv Richard Almeida, HC advocate, Saligao Constituency
Use of social media by the youth with regards to the candidates as well as the current political scenario can contribute in creating awareness among their peers as well as community thereby ensuring active participation of the youth in the political field. – Hedric Demelo, Teacher, Nuvem
In the current political scenario, writing/tweeting to/meeting your MLA to have your concerns heard is the go-to. It is important that the leaders know that they have to hear our concerns and try their best to solve them. But this doesn’t work all the time as the leaders don’t always hear you out. And that’s sad. The other way to be heard is like the saying goes – the youth of today are leaders of tomorrow. The current youth of Goa are enthusiastic and they want what’s best for Goa. They resonate with a sound image of a better and green tomorrow. It’s time for the youth leaders to come forth and take the stage. Represent the voice of the rest. Lead the way to a brighter future. – Mithila Prabhudesai, Student, Taleigao
