23 Jan 2022  |   04:31am IST

Not this lot please

The elections are around the corner and politicking is taking place as aspirants hope to snag a ticket. No one however seems to talk about their vision for their constituency. A report recently released revealed that 57 percent of Goa’s legislators have not been to college. So then what kind of legislator does the State want? Goan youth speak their mind
Not this lot please

Ajit John

I think right now our state requires educated ministers who embody the values, principles, and habits which are relevant to the society he is meant to represent. In addition, one should work hard and delegate responsibilities effectively and also respect democratic principles and institutions and be able to accept good ideas which may come from the opposition. Also should not commit or engage in illegal practises such as bribery or nepotism.

- Mayanka Harlankar,

Pharma officer, Bicholim

Article 173 of the Indian Constitution prescribes that a person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Legislature of a State unless he is a citizen of India, and is not less than 25 years of age in the case of the Legislative Assembly. Interestingly, as far back as in 2nd June, 1949, one member moved an amendment to require candidates to be literate and qualified in order to contest elections from their constituency. It was argued in the Well of the House that illiteracy and ignorance were related, and so it would be dangerous for illiterate candidates to be elected to the Legislature. This was rejected by the Assembly. So to answer the query, as to why there were no educational requirements to become an MLA, it would go against the very idea of democracy as it would deprive the majority of people from the right to contest in elections. What becomes necessary is that the representative of the people would understand the governance needs of the people and take administrative measures in the interest of the electorate. According to 2011 Census data, only 4.5 % of the population in the country was educated up to graduate level while 32.6 % of the population was not even educated up to the primary school level.

In contrast, Goa exhibited a literacy rate of 87% in the 2011 Census which was the fifth highest in the entire country. Hence, it would be reasonable to expect more educated candidates to be elected to the State Legislature in the upcoming 2022 Elections.

- Moses Pinto,

Advocate, Margao

Yeah so this report was not at all shocking actually, given the level of majority of the politicians that we have in India. For me personally, I would love to have a moderately educated legislator which only adds to his/her and the society’s advantage. Most importantly someone who is hardworking, honest and dedicated towards helping the society and being true to their word, would be an ideal candidate.

- Aryavrat, Student,

Vasco

He should be a very Critical thinker and a good strategist. I would like to see him more emotionally mature and it’s important as these things are mandatory.

- Samuel Fernandes,

Student, Panjim

I think we need people who are educated, importantly have a vision and help take the state forward. The present lot seems obsessed with playing politics and pulling each other down. The world is moving ahead and we cannot be left behind. We should be able to retain our cultural ethos and also move ahead. That will require a person with intelligence and vision to take us forward.

- Conal Lobo,

Entrepreneur, Porvorim

While it’s true that a majority of Goa’s legislators have not been to college, I feel that it’s more important for a legislator to know the pulse of the people and have a service attitude. Of course, it would be nice for a candidate to complete his/her graduation or post graduation, but elite institutions give them a feeling of superiority and contempt for politics. Hence the best and the brightest do not get into politics. I would advocate a moderate level of education combined with a people-centric approach. E.g. Some of our best post-independence politicians like Kamaraj (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the 60s) and Dayanand Bandodkar, Goa’s first Chief Minister, had little education, but were very effective legislators and good leaders. In conclusion I must state that only graduates with empathy and values should consider politics.

- Joanne da Cunha,

Actress, Porvorim

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