Every state in the country has its own problems to face. There are different reasons for different challenges in different states. Some of the factors on which these challenges depend are: size of the state, population of the state, unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, etc. Bigger the states more serious are the challenges. Goa is a tiny state but its problems are not less and simple. Since its Liberation in 1961 – a period of 55 years – tiny Goa has faced huge and complex challenges. With the passage of time new challenges have surfaced. Goa is struggling to tackle these evils that pose threat to the very existence of Goa and Goan culture.
In the past such threats to Goa’s existence were gallantly faced by Goans. The evil designs of merging Goa into Maharashtra were defeated way back in 1967 when true Goans won the historic Opinion Poll. The victory prevented merger of Goa into Maharashtra and paved the way for its separate Statehood in the Union of India. In 1987 Goa witnessed the bloodiest agitation ever – the Language agitation – in which 7 lovers of Konkani lost their lives in order to make Konkani language the Official Language of Goa. Subsequently, Goa was declared the 25th full-fledged state in the country. Both these issues were very dear to Goans and hence the people of Goa, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, fought tooth and nail to preserve Goa and its identity.
Goa showed tremendous development during the last 55 years. It has forged ahead practically in all the fields of development. However, we cannot overlook the numerous ills that have crept into the Goan society along with the development. It will be worthwhile to ponder over these ills that pose serious challenges to the secure future of Goa.
Democratically governed Goa tasted new challenges as time passed. In 1990, for the first time, the political cancer called ‘defection’ took birth in the state of Goa. Democratically elected governments were destabilized and new governments of selfish and greedy politicians were put in place. ‘Democracy’ was defeated in the so-called literate state of Goa. This cancer of defection, since then, has taken firm roots in the political field of Goa and every government that administered Goa. However, the last Government, led by Digamber Kamat and the present government led by Laxmikant Parsekar showed/shows signs of stability.
Corruption has become a way of life. Leaders as well as citizens today do not consider taking/giving bribe as an offence. This is a dangerous trend which can lead Goan society to doom. There are strict laws to prevent corruption. If these laws are implemented sincerely and impartially corruption can be curbed if not eliminated. But it is practically impossible because the guardians of law themselves indulge in corrupt activities.
Unemployment is another challenge that creates dissatisfaction among the youth of the state. Goa produces a lot of professionals as well as graduates and post-graduates. Unfortunately very few are accommodated in the state of Goa. Most of them prefer to go out of Goa due to the following reasons: (a) Salary aspect is not encouraging, (b) fewer promotional avenues and (c) no scope for professional growth. It is very sad to note that graduates and post-graduates attend interviews for the posts meant for under-graduates.
According to one of the national surveys, although the state of Goa has bagged the first places in many sectors including health, yet Goa is not completely healthy. If one has to believe in the statistics on Goa’s health, the number of AIDs cases in Goa is on the increase. Sanitation and cleanliness, particularly in the villages, is not up to the mark. The increase of slums too adversely affects the health of the state.
Yet another ill that threatens Goan society is the weakening of the bonds of Goa’s traditional communal harmony. No doubt, communal harmony among Goans is the greatest asset of Goan society. This asset is the target of many hidden forces which are all out to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state of Goa. Unfortunately it is the political maneuvering also that has helped the communal forces to raise their ugly heads in our society. Goans are becoming more communal minded day by day. Unfortunate indeed!
Another very serious issue that threatens the Goan society is the deterioration of value system. Values dear to Goans such as respect to elders, caring the old and sick people, helping the needy, etc. are waning away. Liberated Goa witnessed sudden increase of the Homes for the Aged. This only proves that hatred towards our parents and elders in the house increases day by day.
Destruction of Goa’s environment in the guise of development goes unabated day in and day out. Goan youth aping the West in all aspects of life also pose a great danger to the very survival of our Goan culture and Goan identity. And to add to this misery is the influx of non-Goans into the state of Goa. If this trend is not stopped, in a decade’s time, undoubtedly Goans, in their own state, will be outnumbered by non-Goans.
There is no doubt that during the last 55 years Goa has progressed tremendously in all fields. But at the same time, as I have stated earlier, along with the development, numerous evils have entered the Goan society. Development will have no meaning if we cannot arrest the ills that accompany development. Therefore it should be the duty of every political party, every political, social and religious leader and every citizen of Goa to identify the evils that come with the development and take immediate action to minimize their influence on the Goan society. If we succeed in curbing the ill effects of development then only we will have the much desired balanced growth of Goa and Goan society.
(Tomazinho Cardozo is a former Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly)
