03 Jan 2021 | 05:11am IST
Wishes that sum up Goa’s New Year Resolutions
2020 was a year like no other. It is with certainty that all Goans are hoping for a much better 2021. TEAM HERALD speaks to a cross section of the public, who talk about what they want for this year, what they felt about last year and what they want for themselves, the State and the future
Hope is the keyword as far as corona and vaccine is concerned. On the economic front, people should be able to kick start their businesses so that the unemployment problem is reduced to some extent. On the political front, the farmer crisis should get resolved and should be in the interest of the farmers and the Nation
.
All and all, a disaster-free year for all sectors
Dr Dinesh Amonkar
,
Bicholim
-x-x-x-x
I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous New Year that is free from COVID-19. Goa’s identity, heritage, culture, environment and natural beauty needs to be preserved for the future generation while the migrant influx should be stopped. Goa's image worldwide has been defamed due to prostitution and drugs. There should
be
no more destruction of nature, conversion of farm land
s
in the name of development. Being a global touristic destination, only eco-friendly & pollution-free projects need to be invited while projects like cultivation of cannabis plants should not be allowed
-
Premanand Gaude
,
Marcaim
-x-x-x-x
Year 2020 taught us that if we run after development at the cost of the environment, it will strike us and indeed COVID-19 has brought us down to our knees. From a climate point of view, the earth is at a very critical stage. I expect the world to know that we are not the last race; let's keep the planet as we got it from our ancestors to our children. This is what I expect from each individual of the world including political leaders. At least now let's not run after money.
John Coutinho, Palolem
-x-x-x-x
Goa should be pollution-free. Let Goans and Goa's environment, animals, birds, breathe fresh air. I hope Goa in the New Year is free of coal, mining, and real estate problems. I hope Goa is no longer destroyed for national highways. No more taking of trees, forests and the homes of wildlife. Let all humans leave in harmony and peace with nature
-
Rocky Dias, Kerye, Khandepar
-x-x-x-x
2021 has started on a good note of vaccines against covid-19 being approved. Joe Biden (P
resident-elect of the United States)
taking
over, shall provide a new hope for liberal democracies. I hope the farmer's movement succeeds in India providing a new impetus
to democracy
in this land of elections. Our republic will be 70 years old. Hope the institutions that failed us in the last five years get some inspiration from US, particularly their courts and media
-
Adv Cleofato Coutinho, Assolna
-x-x-x-x
As a mother of a four year old I am shocked at the manner in which they are handling the COVID-19 crisis as far as children are concerned. Based on WHO reports, the pandemic has barely touched children and yet they are made to suffer the most. My child now lives in a pretend world because at the time when should be interacting with other children, she is interacting with the TV and the mobile. Is this the way children are expected to grow?
Jeenat Begum Sayed , Aldona
-x-x-x-x
Year 2020 taught us a lot. It told us that we should respect nature. In the year 2020, we expect that people should turn towards farming and other such occupations. We should respect democracy and as there is a rise in standard of living the cost of daily wage workers should be increased. The government should take into consideration infrastructure of the State in 2021
-
Suresh Bayekar
,
Surla
,
Bicholim
-x-x-x-x
I wish the world, at least now, moves towards peace, harmony and healthier living habits. COVID-19 has taught all of us a bitter lesson.
I wish 2021 and the coming years bring more prosperity to everyone. Let's strive to get rid of the COVID-19 and together imbibe good living practices and last and not the least, Happy New Year to everyone.
- Shubam Komarpant, Canacona
-x-x-x-x
Let's be human, help human beings, and let’s leave a footpath behind for many centuries with our good work and good deeds. In the new technological world, humans have left behind the moral values which are very helpful for socio cultural life. Positive attitude and positive thought will definitely change our life. Let's fight together against the evils of the world who are disturbing nature mother. Greed of capturing the world will disturb the peace. On a personal level I wish to pray for peace, good health
and prosperity. My resolution for the New Year will be to help the needy people silently
-
Vidhyadhar Uttam Raut
,
Mulgao
,
Bicholim
-x-x-x-x
Let the farmers get good prices and good markets for their products. Let the students get good education and let the youth get good job opportunities. Hope the New year brings joy and happiness in the life of every Goan. I pray to God to give us strength to overcome this COVID pandemic as early as possible and to improve the economy of every Goan. My best wishes on the occasion of New Year 2021
- Abhijit Dessai, Netravali
-x-x-x-
I just want to keep myself, my family and my patients healthy and survive!! I will follow COVID guidelines of wearing a mask, social distancing and washing hands for full 2021 till we get good control of COVID-19!
-
Dr Shekhar Salkar
,
Bicholim
-x-x-
Good roads, secured jobs in the private sector, protection of the environment, etc should be the focus areas of the government for 2021. 2021 is a year before the election, and the government will try it's best to woo voters.
-
Trupti Naik, service, Taleigao
-x-x-x-
May this pandemic year 2020 end with all the negativity and enlighten our lives with positivity. Let's start the new chapter with the new morning of 2021 with love, laughter, hope and positive energy. Happy New Year 2021.
-
Reshmi Naik, teacher
I hope 2021 will be a wonderful, joyful and prosperous New Year. But not forgetting to thank 2020, they enable us to reach today with its lessons and realisations. I hope in 2021, everything gets back to normal, like before and we can get some freedom from our masks. Wishing one and all a blessed New Year 2021
-
Maygal Nazareth.
-x-x-x-x
New year 2021 Should be Coronavirus-free and all the Educational institutions, businesses, sports and other socio- cultural activities should resume and go back to normal. I am expecting peace, unity and brotherhood among the people. Our youth who are unemployed should get employment opportunities, which are lacking due to the insensitive and inefficient Government. Most importantly there should be effective administration and governance to give service to common people, which is very much missing in the State of Goa and India.
-
Amarnath Panjikar , Aldona
-x-x-x-x
The year 2020 has concluded, that the Almighty is punishing us, perhaps so -- our debauchery and corruption certainly deserved a comeuppance. Let’s resolve to work in unity and solidarity to make 2021 a year of healing.
Captain Venzy Viegas
, Carmona
-x-x-x-x
2020 has been bad and good too. Marriages happened; new lives came into this beautiful world. Yes, we lost some beloved ones too. But doesn't this happen every year? Then, why curse 2020. Amidst all this chaos, expectations never die and as usual we all expect 2021 to bring in happiness and peace. There have been job losses, incomes have shrunk, and households are trying to cope up with rising inflation. For me, I am ending the year on a happy note with the hope that 2021 will be more fruitful and eventful. My expectations from 2021 are awareness among people about health. I expect people to be healthier and happier
Rupesh Khandekar, Shiroda
-x-x-x-x
This year so far has been completely bad and of unhappiness as the COVID19 pandemic struck the world. I am looking forward to a better year of peace and happiness for the people. I am looking forward to a government of good governance and one, which will protect the environment of Goa.
-
MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Curtorim
-x-x-x-x
My sincere wish for 2021 is a healthier world that is safer for humans as months go by. There needs to be a 'reset' in the lifestyle of man; and a review of the decisions taken up in our State by the decision makers.
-
Royla Fernandes, Benaulim
-x-x-x-x
I have got no major expectations from 2021. I just hope that the large number of tourists that have entered GOA don't leave the gift of Coronavirus for us. Hoping the Government takes some action against the tourists who don't follow the rules and don't wear masks. I hope to see Goa COVID-free by the end of January.
Roma Bharne, Porvorim
-x-x-x-x
I want the government to create job opportunities for Goans, not just as far as government jobs are concerned but also in the private sector. A good salaried job with job security will definitely help people of Goa in a big way. In the private sector, pay scale and job security is a major concern, which needs to be addressed seriously
-
Pravin Parab, Service, Taleigao
-x-x-x-
I want the government to rope in private universities in the State. It's time to make Goa an education hub. We need to introduce career-oriented courses, so that students don't have to travel outside the State in search of those courses. We need to welcome more and more education institutions
- Jay Kapadekar, Old Goa
-x-x-x-x
The Goa Government should be more vigilant toward the corruption and illegalities in various departments. They should make Goa more greener and a State, free from gangsters.
Safety for women and children should not just be on papers. Also the government should not bring projects, which are against the people of Goa
-
Andrea Pereira
-x-x-x-x
The government needs to provide better quality roads to the general public. The development should not be at the cost of the environment. The government will have to make sure that 980-90 percent jobs are reserved for Goans in private sectors with proper job security. My request to political parties is to promote more young and educated faces
-
Shraddha Kamat
-x-x-x-x
I hope that the government will improve its health facilities. Through the pandemic, I hope the government makes use of the lessons learnt. I think most of us can agree that 2020 was not the best year. Although vaccines are on the horizon, we are still bringing COVID-19 into 2021. From this whole experience, let's not have high expectations for this year.
-
Sunil Sawkar, Borim
-x-x-x
Due to COVID-19, the entire 2020 was a total washout in all circumstances. As a responsible citizen, I am looking forward to enhanced growth for local businesses to prosper. I expect local communities and leaders world over, to understand that the planet earth is fragile and has to be taken care of just like a delicate baby. Otherwise, we will be doomed as predicted by many renowned astrologers in the past. In short, let the world prosper economically, socially and environmentally. That's my wish and expectation from now on.
-
Samrat Bhagat, Canacona
Politically, I hope that the unemployment problem, which is growing in large scale day by day, gets solved. There should be a single window system for all Goans who want to do business. Mining should resume as well. I look forward to taking over the reins of Sanquelim municipality and preparing for the assembly election. Hoping the economy will improve after the Corona vaccination
-
Dharmesh Saglani
,
Sanquelim
I wish the world to understand that we are in a state of emergency climatically.
My only wish this year is that the law makers, decision makers, opinion makers and all of us to understand that living and nonliving things in the planetary system are important for the survival of this universe. Let us not go for a self-destruction model of development but for a sustainable model of development. I hope to see a change in the mindset of all of us "Don't cut trees rather grow more trees". That's my wish.
-
Jack Fernandes, Canacona
-x-x-x-
Goans have to preserve their identity to safeguard Goan culture, tradition for future generations. Our Goa is rapidly turning towards destruction. We are losing our Goenkarponn, our identity and therefore I want our Goans to come together to fight to save our Goa. Special status must be given to Goans to save our identity, our culture, beautiful beaches, Goan greenery and it is our duty to fight for special status. Our own Goans are selling our properties for a few rupees without keeping any space for our future generations and this needs to be stopped by giving a second thought of our future generation. Just expecting all Goans to save our Goa.
Amar Naik, Kalay
-x-x-x
Usher in peace, tranquillity among the nations of the world. Not to wage wars in this COVID-19 pandemic. I hope the researchers find an effective vaccine to save the lives of millions suffering from this disease. In special context to our nation; we should live in communal harmony irrespective of caste, creed and colour. There is urgent need to settle the farmers' problems, unemployment, crimes, rapes hatred ,violence and harassment towards religious minorities, so that our beloved nation is truly secular, social, democratic, sovereign republic as enshrined in our constitution
Alfred Fernandes, Collem
-x-x-x-x
Individuals feel that this New Year will bring something good in their lives and they also have better expectations from the government which will help in elevating the socio-economic conditions of the people which was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Goa government should take action and be committed to the ease of doing business. New manufacturing units should come in industrial areas so that jobs are created. Ease of doing business and protecting our environment have to be the priority. Compliances in the government department have to be brought to minimum.
-
Bharat Kamat, Civil Engineer
-x-x-x-x
2020 will go down in history as the worst year since the last 100 years, leaving behind a good message that the human beings are not the masters but just short term tenants of the earth. I hope the coming year brings loads of happiness to everyone as all have seen the devastating effects of the COVID-19 in terms of health and wealth
Anil Bhagat, Canacona
-x-x-x-x-x-x
In the New Year I feel the government should work for the people, reaching out to the person who really needs government support. The government's aim of reaching out to the last person should be made into reality in this New Year. Further, I also feel that the basic needs such as drinking water supply, well tarred roads, uninterrupted electricity etc should be looked after by the government. Also there should be more emphasis over creating jobs not just in government but also in the private sector because unemployment is the biggest problem that the youth is facing today
-
Ashwin K. Chodankar
-x-x-x
T
he government should formulate policies which help graduates and students by providing free vocational courses at each taluka. It will help them to start up their own business without depending on government jobs.
Further, Goa should be promoted as a tourism destination with necessary safety precautions and COVID tests should be made mandatory for entering Goa. Stringent laws should be implemented for traffic violations.
There is an urgent need to improve health facilities, particularly in rural areas. Each village should have an ambulance and government pharmacy available 24 hours in case of an emergency
Maitheli Pednekar
-x-x-x
2020 has seen a lot of trauma and chaos. Also it gave us new guidelines for lifetime. As the year 2021 begins, I wish and hope it brings peace and calmness to the world. May this New Year bring all refreshing thoughts, mindset, gift of health, opportunities to apply our lessons from 2020 and unrestricted life. A very happy new phase of life to all
-
Manasi Chari
