Last year was a seminal year in the sense, everyone one knew about almost everything one knew about life and business became irrelevant. The virus destroyed lives and in the entire hullabaloo, the government tried to push ahead projects that did not seem to be in sync with the aspirations of Goans. This resulted in agitations lead by the youth. The new year brings with the promise of a vaccine that could cure the virus. This could be a year of great promise.Simple. More honesty, accountability, genuine concern, and care for the planet and its environment – from all sectors and walks of life. Govt, Ministers, People, etc. The pandemic has been a wake-up call and if we’re not sensitive to what the earth’s trying to tell us – we have a lot more coming. Wake up. As a friend rightly said “Mother Earth has an itch – and it’s us!!!” – So true. And we choose not to see this. So sad!!-Ricky Noronha IT professional
Given the perception of the current scenario, it is my wish that evidence to the contrary presents itself and restore peace and harmony and prosperity in the state. -Andre Shackleton Marketing Consultant
It would be nice to encourage and practice utilising solar energy. I would go a step ahead and say solar panels should be made mandatory in homes that consume more electricity.
We all know how much sun Goa gets. Subsidize solar energy. Be an example. Goa is large enough to have an impact but small enough for this to work. If that happens, we won’t need to clear more forests to supply Goa with more electricity. I would like to see Goa become a hub for all innovative and eco-friendly practices. This is my hope for this year -Manisha M Baker
At the very start of the New Year, I speak for all Goans when I say that we would like to see an equal distribution of income throughout the economic strata in the state. The recent BREXIT deal being confirmed which has put into jeopardy the livelihood and dependency of the OCI holder of Portuguese-Goan origins. Moreover, with the stay of the mining activities in the State, the dependency on central government funding by the GSIDC to fund the infrastructure projects, we as Goans would desire a sense of social security and financial self-sufficiency. The Pandemic equally stands to threaten the State’s golden goose of revenue generation and this needs to be addressed as quickly as possible by making the vaccine available for all Goans in a short span of time. -Moses Pinto Lawyer
Goans need to do a lot of introspection about which projects need to be seriously opposed and which should be allowed. We need to understand that adapting to the requirements of the present day is called development and casting it as being hypersensitive to ecology & the environment can be detrimental. We need to push ahead by putting in place steps that will guarantee balance. I would like to see the infrastructure projects completed at the earliest. -Tirthprasad Nagvekar Businessman
Goa wants to see good administration and great political will aim at properly planned growth keeping in mind the benefit to the sons of the soil. The unregulated growth has in fact damaged the Goan vibe and has been a cause of all the chaos. What we need is Good Governance -Sneha Bhandare
Every person most definitely wants freedom from the current strenuous situation.
Work most definitely needs to start. Though strict regulations on the movement of people need to be implemented. Self-awareness is the moral code of the year. Safety all around is expected. Economy and health concerns are both important. However, there is a financial crisis while we take care of our health. if the state steps in to assist those afflicted, it is an ideal situation. Developmental Projects have been opposed before, although, then the people of Goa have been benefitting from the same projects for decades now. We Goans need to have a holistic and futuristic perspective. People of Goa surely want facilities en par with the most developed cities. While leading in Health and education we need to achieve greater strides in other developmental factors. Better, quicker governance and all-round growth is a dream Goans can have fulfilled in this new decade. -Meenacshi Martins Actor
The Covid 19 pandemic which continues its devastation has created space for each And every one of us to reflect on what we want from life, work, and how to deal with the sustainability of the universe and the human race within it. As someone who has roots. In Goa and have lived and related to my immediate surroundings I find some of the decisions the government makes so much opposed to what people want. This happens despite public opposition based on the caution of sustainability and protection of the environment. Another issue that will have I cycle every day all over south Goa and it is alarming to see number plates of cars rolling from other states overloaded with people. Many relatives who have come on a visit have tested positive. This is a personal anecdote but the compelling narratives that are floating around in the tourism industry are alarming. No curfews, no social distancing, no masks, and Nero just fiddles while the state ups its temperatures for another alarming of the pandemic. Severe repercussions will be the decisions to open up Goa’s borders and create free entry to the tourist (mainly Indian) to enter the state without health checks -Savia Viegas Writer
