I have been watching as well as very much involved politically in the electoral processes in Goa. In 1974, I was very much connected with Dr Ernesto Rodrigues and other boarders in the then Liberty Guest House in the political discourse of Goa. Together with Trade Union Leader S Asgaokar Narayan Vaigankar, Wilfred Misquita, others, we wanted Mrs Kakodkar to make Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP) inclusive for all Goans by deleting the word ‘Maharashtrawadi’ from the party registration form by amendment. However, it was found that it could not be done as MGP was depending on the ‘Lion’ symbol which Election Commission said would go and would be frozen for ever.
But later, Mrs Kakodkar joined the Congress in 1980 around and rest is history as Ramakant Khalap managed to retain the symbol and kept the MGP alive and now this party is alive even today, although Ramakant Khalap is now in the Congress and MGP is now controlled by the Dhavalikar brothers.
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The purpose of this article is to inform Goans, I have over the years helped the parties to formulate manifestos as per the requirements of the day. Kadamba bus services and Tourism policies were introduced by us in the MGP manifesto but in 1980, when Congress won and Pratapsingh Rane became the Chief Minister, both, Kadamba bus services and the Tourism policy bore the shoots.
Now, after over 40 years, there is no concrete policy. The private pubic taxi services today are in a great mess. The hotel trade by and large is not friendly to Goans. The employees, specially the higher management, are controlled by the migrants.
The main purpose of this article is to see and show how Panjim which was once a heritage city, is today a sin city, with crime, drug peddling and extortion in full bloom around CoP jetty. The terminal building coming up at the Panjim jetty is today brimming with drug pushers and drug peddlers. The loud noises generated by the offshore Casinos is a death knell or working for the Casino lobby. The Goan bouncers on casinos are forced to do unpleasant duties. Today, issues before Goans are manifold. The destruction of our forests, depletion of our estuarine biodiversity, lurking dangers of coal pollution, double tracking and destruction of our forest reserves, what would the 2022 election manifestos in Goa spell out? For Panjimites, we have been fooled every five years, with greener and cleaner Panjim, with safe roads, et al. However, Panjim today is as much festering as the St Inez creek as well as the back waters of the Rua de Ourem creek. The low lying areas of Kadamba bus stand which was marshy and best used by sea-salt industry by locals is now a dumping ground of garbage not only by the commuters and shopkeepers there but discarded illegally and discriminately by the surrounding villagers and their panchayats.
What would those in the MGP, Congress, BJP, Goa Forward and others promise us in Election 2022?
The morbidity and untimely mortalities in the urban areas of our towns is not only growing alarmingly due to sedentary lives of our people but the growing incidences of pollution in our ecosystem as well. The incidences of artificial fruit ripening agents, food colour additions in foods essentially of toxic dyes is not well documented and exposed in print. Elections in Goa are slowly and steadily being controlled by pressure groups and political families. Goans know that our real estate industry is now a big buck money churner for not just notorious Goans but for scamsters from Delhi and Mumbai. Looking straight and upfront, I have watched Goa deteriorate and degrade steadily but surely over the years. All political parties have messed up Goa and Goans and are today like the ‘pot calling the kettle black’.
In Goa, it is ‘no, not me’ is to be blamed for Goa going downhill. The forthcoming elections would not only see MGP, Congress, BJP, Goencho Awaaz, Goencho Ekvott and Goa Forward but also Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi party besides the Shiv Sena, the Gopal Sena emerging surprisingly. The small size of the constituencies also encourages many independents to throw in their hats in the electoral battle 2022.
Interestingly, as I stay very close to the site from where the ‘offshore casinos’ operate and am a victim of the stress due to loud music, drugs, parking of vehicles on my doorsteps, heavy dust, easing and releasing of toxic wastes all around my residence, I declare the reality as a victim as well as a living witness. Not only have I had my toes amputated and respiratory ailments growing within me, but the quality of my life has declined many folds over the years. It was distressing for me that the ambulance cannot make it up to my door and I have had to be lifted on a stretcher to be taken to the hospital. Now, it was me and any other Goan could face this disabling situation if we do not control this menace and nip it in the bud right away.
Sadly, there are very many greedy as well those turning a Nelson’s eye and deaf ears to the menace around the central areas of Panjim but like wild fire, the notorious casino industry will have its toll in Fontainhas, Mala, Altinho and the St Inez areas around the creek.. Panjimites are by and large, selfish and self-centred. They are all to themselves and believe God is always with them, even if Mother Nature is destroyed for Eternity.
As a forced optimist I can now declare I had seen 76 summers and I am blessed with bonus years of consciousness due to the blessings of Mother Nature. Some have already begun their bid in the battle of the Ballot 2022 in due earnest and diligence. Election 2022 would be interesting.
(The writer is a retired University Professor and an Environmental Activist.)
