Ajit John
The elections are around the corner. The audio levels have increased and there is a great deal of speculation as to who will go with whom and importantly what will they all do once they get elected. In all this the youth of the state are watching it all with great interest. They are tracking developments, statements made by politicians and making decisions. They are also much more assertive and interested in ensuring Goa develops in a manner that does not end up destroying its flora and fauna and importantly the harmony enjoyed by everyone still remains strong.Abisha Fernandes, a student pointed out that elections were very important but fraud was being committed everywhere, every time in the name of development. She felt not even a single politician was sincere and working for society. She said “We should elect a good person, who thinks about education and employment. We should not look at any party. Any elected politician should work for society and not for the money. I wish more and more young and educated youth will come forward in the political field and work for the society and betterment of the community”. Pritesh Patil, another college student, felt the youth were being misled by the power holders. He said “The young mind is manipulated in order to get jobs. We as youth should use our brains to get ourselves employed and not depend on such promises. Participating in the "festival of election" is compulsory as to select the right candidate meanwhile don't let yourself get carried away with "1,000 - 500" per day”.She is a beauty queen as well as importantly a teacher who has a ringside view of what the youth are thinking. Sevana Jacques pointed out that today’s youth was undoubtedly the future of tomorrow. She said “ The youth of Goa are looking for a change in the political field they want a revolution they want a change, there are no jobs, the youth of Goa are tired of unemployment, very few youth of Goa have diversified into business, many of the youth has entrepreneurial qualities in them but are not able to start their own enterprise because of lack of financial support, many Goan youth have managed to start their own enterprises and are successful in their new ventures, some have fallen prey to political pressure and have given up their ventures. Goan youth today is looking out for a government that will support the development of their future, starting more and more educational institutions in vocational fields that will prepare the Goa youth for life and give them new ideas, the youth of Goa want communal harmony that is and was existing for years”. The always opinionated Shimron Nathan, a college student said “The youth make a strong community when they put their mind to it. With regards to elections I believe the youth have very strong opinions individually and when opinions come together it makes a bunch of stubborn freshly graduated teens. Along with this assertiveness, my thoughts on these states' elections are always the same. I often think elections in general are like show-and-tell in school but the same way school gets over so does show-and-tell.” Well that was a glimpse into the thoughts of the youth in Goa. One can only hope they cast their vote after considerable thought. Because in that lies the future of Goa.