Ayres Sequeira

We Goans are known for our hospitality, peace loving and easy going nature. But not so anymore with politicians taking advantage of every issue to play their trump card to further their vested interests. As is always, this was amply clear on the day, the so-called Mining dependents came in full strength to agitate against the Supreme Court verdict to stop all mining activities effective March 15, 2018. They were supported by supporting organizations; surprisingly some ministers whose talks were without any substance of intelligence, but only to aggravate and vitiate the situation leading to chaos, confusion and hardship to the general public. 

They blamed the Supreme Court for the present unrest among the people depending on mining. These politicians are the ones who tarnish the reputation of Goa once known to be peaceful, nature enchanting and fish curry urrak loving Goans. But all these have now come to a knot.

It is said: When one door closes, the other opens, perhaps, with better opportunities. Unaware, these politicians went about with their insipid slogan: We are with the mining dependents. They did not think the other way to create employment to help the dependents sustain on alternate jobs that could replenish the earth to create a clean and green environment to enhance health of the affected people in the mining belt. This was missing in the talks of the supporting politicians to further their vested interest in sympathising with the mining dependent protesters.

Equal distribution of wealth is an economic principle which implies that the income from State resources has to be equally distributed among the citizens. But this is not happening with the mining loot going into the hands of a few, which, if recovered every citizen in the State should get a substantial amount to sustain upon by state right. It therefore goes to say: nature has provided us with enough that no one goes hungry. But this is not adhered to by the present govt in power.

Goa is an international tourist destination. Tourists from all over the world come here for holidaying and to savour Goan food and drinks, to know our culture and traditions which are unique in many ways. We boast about our language being Konkani and our lifestyle highly advanced compared to other States of our country. But when we display our lack of intelligence and behave in an irrational manner disrupting life, destroying public property and instigating hooliganism, are we upholding our Goenkarponn?