The port town of Vasco has turned 100 years old this year, perhaps not a major milestone where age of cities and towns are concerned, but there are few in the town who appear to remember this anniversary. There is no celebration planned for the town, and as residents of Vasco have rued, the year will pass off like any other, this centenary forgotten completely by the political leaders who should have been at the forefront of any celebration.
The complain of the residents is not just of a lack of a celebration, but they point out that when one is aware of the history of one’s town, there is a sense of belonging, bonding and pride, that translates into positive action to preserve and protect it. And there is where the failure lies – in not taking pride in the history of the place you live in. But it can also be argued as to why the residents are not themselves celebrating this occasion?
Take for instance the old Margao Municipal Council building that is in ruins today. The council house itself remains untouched, though there have been numerous calls from the residents of the town to rebuild it, and promises that this will be done. Earlier this month, a group of enthusiasts commemorated the anniversary of the killing of 21 people at this square outside the municipal council house that happened on September 21, 1890. The commemoration involved a heritage walk that took participants through the history of the event. If the authorities have forgotten a date, it is up to the people to remind them of this and do whatever little can be done without government support.
That is not to take away the onus from the local bodies in doing their job of commemorating the raising of Vasco to the status of a town. Vasco, by virtue of having the port and the railway station, and a few kilometers away the international airport, has played a major role in Goa’s history and development. It has grown over the last ten decades, and 100 years later has transformed from a well-planned town to an urban area that is congested and neglected mainly because of haphazard growth. Its descent into this was, perhaps gradual at first, but later accelerated by the influx of migration. It is highly populated and is perhaps the one urban area in Goa that is today home to people from every region of the country.
Local residents complain of the lack of a proper market, traffic jams, lack of parking space. These are all issues that are today endemic to any municipal council in the State. In that sense, Vasco today is symbolic of the urban areas of the State that have gone into decay, be it Panjim, Margao, Mapusa or any other town. The list of complaints of residents of all the towns in Goa would vary little.
The concept of a smart city, as has been proposed in Panjim, should be extended to all municipal councils of the State. But it is not enough to have a concept or a proposal, there has to be the political will to ensure that the proposal remains not just on paper, but is implemented improving the lives of the people, by renewing the towns.
But, the success of any response to urban decline is increased when there is public intervention that is positive, not just with ideas, but also with action. It is therefore not enough to merely sit in judgement and criticise the local body for its failings, but also contribute to bringing about the change.
