A year full of sweet as well as bitter memories for millions of families across the globe. In Goa too, while thousands of families will celebrate and usher into the New Year 2024, there will be those whose evening will be gloomy and grim in their homes at the loss of someone very dear.
During the year, one of the major concerns across the board amongst Goans has been the bloodbath on the roads. Road safety, road conditions and road engineering has remained at the top of the list of concerns to motorists and commuters as the roads have directly impacted the health of the population. The craze for speed has also led to hundreds of accidents in the State. And unfortunately some of them have been fatal, others have left individuals permanently disabled and families shattered.
The year 2023 will also be remembered as the year of ‘Smart pain’. The capital city of Panjim has been undergoing mammoth transformation for years now and 2023 saw its peak with most of the city witnessing constant digging and road closures. Despite assurances and claims that high quality work is being undertaken, there were the caving in of roads where the work had either been completed or close to being completed. This has attracted scepticism from the people, locals as well as tourists, as manoeuvring in the capital city has been a harrowing experience.
While consecutive governments have been assuring the population 24×7 potable drinking water, the reality is that Har Ghar Jal couldn’t make it to every home, and even while the heavens poured, households had to walk several kilometres to fetch clean drinking water. The begging menace has once again gained ground, and in all the major towns and villages one can find migrant families squatting by the roadside and occupying pavements as temporary shelters.
The land grab issue, with hundreds of complaints yet to be disposed of, remained yet another major concern for those OCIs who have been away from home; while crooks in connivance with government officials ensured that pieces of land got transferred into unknown names.
The high point of the year for Goa was hosting the meetings of the G20 Summit. After being a wonderful host to global leaders, one would have expected a positive impact on the tourism sector. However, despite all efforts, the current trend shows a decline in tourist arrivals and should be a cause of concern for the government.
As we usher in the New Year, there will be many aspirations from the citizens. Some of them will be seeking immediate positive attention from the authorities to their concerns. Secondly, what is vital is to create opportunities for the youth so that they are able to utilise their talents and qualifications to the maximum without having to migrate.
Citizens aspire to live in a State where the opinions of every individual are considered and it should not matter to which community or religion one belongs.
Goa has been a peaceful, all-embracing and love-spreading State since the time written history is available and beyond. Thus, in order to protect the culture and ethos of Goa, the only way is to celebrate the diversity, provide opportunity to every individual and sow the seeds of brotherhood, fraternity and love.
Wish you all an aspirational year ahead! Happy New Year!
