When in the twentieth century movies took over as the popular art form, folk and other stories soon appeared on the screen more to be seen and heard rather than read and imagined. We now, of course, live in the age of The Internet.
In a few months from now every Goan with a valid vote will be able to be King for a Day. Are we up to it? Is one day too long for us? Will we sell our kingship for a few thousand rupees or less even though we won’t be offered one thousand rupee notes, and become slaves for the next four years? Are we psychologically enslaved after more than four centuries of Portuguese colonial domination? If we are or not will become clear on voting day!
Will non-Goan voters who arrived in Goa after it became a part of India do the same? How much is a soul worth? Mine or yours?
Modi’s recent brilliant ‘surgical strike’ is against one limb of our black economy, and even though the idea is not his and has been around the EU and the US for a while now he deserves credit for his action which brings a smile and a tear too.
When I was a young man which is a long time ago, I remember how the late Mohammed Ali would boast and self-proclaim how he was The Greatest. He did effectively punch a few boxers bringing the boxing match to an abrupt end. He was, indeed great but nowhere compared to our PM Modi who with a single knock out punch floored a billion four hundred million Indians. Some have revived but the sick ones are in for a long illness. Yes, PM Modi is The Greatest!
The United States brand new American president Donald Trump is an unknown card we are told, unlike his opponent who is a seasoned politician and who has been around for decades. When the unknown Donald Trump turns his card what we will see, heaven or hell? After all, he is a politician. Whatever he has in mind will unfold in the next four years. Maybe Americans will regret it or not but no American, as far as I know, has sold his or her vote. Will the next State Legislature elections in Goa be different? Will we refuse to sell our souls like the materialistic and worldly Americans?
It is a cliche we get the government we deserve and if we cannot claim our kingship on this all-important day, then we have no right to complain later. Slaves don’t count and are dispensable. We need to think and think again whom we are going to vote for, and don’t forget on this day, we voters are as powerful as the most powerful man or woman in Goa; however rich and powerful s/he may be, he or she has only ONE vote and so do we! That is why everyone is a king for a day.
We need to appreciate how powerful we are on this one day every five years and be grateful we live in a democracy unlike some societies who never allow their citizens to be king – even for a day. Sorry, no vote. Aren’t we lucky? Or would we rather be slaves and sell our votes?
