There are reports on social media that people in Germany, Iran, Italy and other countries have been leaving bags of food and other essentials for the poor and the needy! This gesture, in this crisis of pandemic, will make us believe that we have, at last, learnt a lesson to be concerned for people who are helpless in this moment of crisis and this virus is making us humans.
In Goa, perhaps people have witnessed a different situation, in as much as our elected representatives have taken control of distributing the essentials, and hence many people, including Senior Citizens, are suffering the most as they are left high and dry. While in other states of our country, the Ministers or other MLAs have not interfered and thus there is continuous and smooth supply of food items.
Just two days ago, there was news that an elected MLA had set up vegetable market at his residence. Then there are packages of Rs 500 and Rs 800 which have been introduced by some of our MLAs. Many constituents say that they had placed orders, but the same have still not been delivered to them even after 10 days of the lockdown.
In these difficult times, the elected representatives are trying to play the game of vote bank politics in the name of food. The Home Ministry had clearly stated in the guidelines that there would be proper flow of essentials. Then, why did our elected representatives not follow these guidelines of the Home Ministry? And this matter is of grave concern in a democratic society. Our representative’s self-promotion is above people's necessities.
In every village, there are at least 2 or 3 general stores which normally cater to locals. But today, we see that these grocery shops are closed down because our MLAs have hoarded the essential stock for their own vote banks. This is indeed a matter of shame to see the way our representatives putting our people into deep inconvenience. Democracy always gives you the government that you deserve. This is proven absolutely right when we see the way our elected representatives are humiliating our people. However, it will not come to us as a surprise to see the same persons being re-elected in the next assembly polls.
Neither our own people, nor our politicians, have understood the seriousness of Coronavirus. Some are so selfish that they want everything for themselves without leaving anything for others. How can we call ourselves civilised when we do not think of others, that other people also need food in their thaalis and also for their children?
Tough times must bring us together, we should learn to share with others, irrespective of caste, creed and belief. Only then we can say that humanity is above everything. Goans can be easily divided by their politicians. Today people are divided over food. Some are given food and some others are left without food. Some are overfed and still others are left hungry. This injustice cannot be tolerated in the democratic country we live in.
Every citizen has a fundamental right to live, and it is the duty of the government to provide food in thaali. Otherwise, people have to stand in their balconies and start banging a thaali to inform the government that they need food in their thaalis.