This has reference to the article ‘Does Goa belong only to a few activists?’ by David Rocha (Herald, 6 Nov). Of course not! Goa does not belong to the few activists alone. But as the author says, where are all the feisty Goans when Goa is going up in flames with U-turns after U-turns by our elected representatives on their promises? Today, the Social media is vibing. But we do not even see a ‘like’ leave alone registering comments. Does it not look like we Goans are showing our tails and hiding our heads? Do you think that East Timoreans got to be proud of their country, pushing over the monster of Indonesia by showing their tails and hiding their heads? We cannot even make sufficient noise when even a thing like Special Status for Goa has been promised by the ruling Party with the PM himself having made the promise when he was seeking election victory and point blank denied, as if Goans are of no consequence when elected? We, as ministers, say we shall resign if Special Status is not given and promptly carry on until they are booted out. Others, who have become the head honchos today have been part and parcel of the Resolution passed by the GLA unanimously seeking Special Status for Goa under Article 371 of the Indian Constitution. And now when he says that it is not possible, who is he fooling? The monkeys? Are we Goans, then, not reduced to being monkeys who get peanuts and remain happy and contented with these?
If Goans, worldwide, have any self-respect in them, they should get up to demand that (1) Mopa is scrapped (2) Special Status be given to Goa just like it is being given to Nagaland. (3) Rs. 35,000 crores be recovered from illegal mining. (4) Digambar Kamat be tried for condonation of delays in registering mining leases when he had no authority to do so as the Mines Minister or CM as charged by Shah Commission. (5) That Digambar Kamat be hauled up for the Louis Berger bribery case as the prime culprit. (6) That the proposed electronic city which is being built on illegalities be scrapped and lands returned to the farmers. (6) That the investigation in the M/s Leading Hotels Pvt. Ltd be speeded up to nail the company for illegally converting the zone of agricultural lands and scrap the project as untenable and destructive to Goa’s ecology and well being of the people of the region………… we could go on and on.
Elections are fast approaching. Will Goans wake up and consider setting up Goa’s own High Command in Goa in good earnest so that what happens in Goa is not decided in Delhi, Nagpur or Baramati in Maharashtra or elsewhere but right here in Goa? — The way we want it — The way we like it ? Or are we going to relax in our susegadness believing that rule in Goa of the Central ruling party in India is best for Goa? If waking up and/or getting up and marching is difficult for Goans, then we shall have to tie fire-crackers to their tails and light them up. If nothing else, they will at least jump over the cliffs and make it easy for Goa to pass away.
