In another two days, Goa will be completing 55 years of having attained freedom from foreign rule. While this is part of our history, the liberty Goans were longing for and for which some even sacrificed their lives, was surely not the type we now have is totally contrary to our expectations. It is in fact a freedom to misrule, loot and destroy – a freedom to violate rules and laws with impunity and ensure that they are not enforced. I still recall, though I was too young to understand the implications, the enthusiasm with which Indian troops were greeted by the locals, with some even close to the Portuguese wasting no time in changing colours and trying their best to be seen as “nationalists”. However, decades later or rather recently, the unsuspecting testimony of some prominent freedom fighters about their utter disillusionment of Goa’s scenario were truths that many and particularly our rulers may not have been able to digest. When Winston Churchill and C. Rajagopalachari expressed their frank views on the plight of India and what Indians would have to endure after Independence, no one believed their words would be so prophetic…
Let me for once stop blaming Indian leaders, our elders and others for failing to protect Goa. Some of the beasts and vultures preying on every piece of Goa and trying to devour and destroy this beautiful place are our own people, members of our own society, our friends and relatives. We have elected, put them in positions of power and allowed them to misuse it, to satisfy not only their but our own greed. I still maintain my humble view that India ought to have treated Goa as a separate entity and showcased it as China did with Macau. With its natural beauty, attractive beaches, hospitality and docile nature of its people, its unique culture, customs and traditions – Goa could have been a world destination, a place India would have been proud of.
Three or four decades back, the discontent among Goans was not as palpable as today. People never bothered to compare or contrast the Portuguese rule with the Indian one. Today many do. That perhaps also accounted for our most unfortunate silence when the abominable Indo-Portuguese Accord of 1974 was signed.
Today, the disillusionment of the people cutting across party, religious and caste lines is too obvious to be overlooked or ignored. The utter dismay of Goans is reflected in demonstrations, agitations, protests Gram Sabha resolutions, Court cases and appeals in National Green Tribunal, which have become a regular affair, against Government decisions and projects which have been bulldozed bypassing rules, regulations and the will of the people. Much worse days are in store for Goans. We are today paying the price for our follies, for our sepulchral and unpardonable silence, for electing unworthy and unscrupulous individuals and prostrating before them for favours, donations and freebies. It is indeed sad and painful that we seem unconcerned about what happens to Goa and to our future generations, so long as our personal interests are served.
The helplessness and frustration of the people can be seen at every stage and everywhere – on the roads, in the markets, Government offices, etc. No work can be advanced without bureaucratic tangles, preposterous procedures solely aimed at creating delays with eventual extortion of bribes. Even in Courts, where one expects justice, the greatest injustice of delays and adjournments is meted out to honest litigants. I am told that even in much larger States, cases do not drag for as long as they do in Goa. Judges and Lawyers must ponder whether this behooves of Temples of Justice and litigants whether small matters are worth the time and the money. All this alongwith joblessness have resulted in exodus of Goans, some with Portuguese passports – an easy gateway for better pastures. But this is a pan-India phenomenon, with people from Daman & Diu availing of similar facility and Modi’s compatriots also taking UK, US or Canadian passports. Yet, Goans were singled out by a very pro-active Election Commission for deletion of names. With our families shrinking, young Goans migrating in large numbers, elderly parents left behind to fend for themselves and palatial houses nearly abandoned or collapsing, one really wonders what the future holds for us. This Government surely finds this scenario beneficial to them with less opposition to their misrule and brighter chances of coming back to power.
In several of our villages, like Agassaim, Nuvem, Benaulim, Navelim and Canacona people are up-in-arms against massive land filling for the construction of what the authorities call a bypass but which in reality is the Mopa expressway. This road is a pre-condition for construction of Mopa airport and hence the haste in its construction. The 80 m width will destroy houses, fields, water bodies, culverts, etc throwing to the winds the concerns on environment, ecology and flooding. Our villages will be divided into East and West and this is surely not acceptable to Goans, wherever they may reside. The people of North Goa are yet to experience this destruction but it will come in the same autocratic way as it is being done in South Goa. Let us not be complacent and accept whatever is imposed on us. We have done it for too long and we are now watching the results. This move needs to be opposed tooth and nail before it is too late. Let us show our determination to foil any attempts at further damage to Goa, no matter which Government comes to power. It is incumbent upon us to preserve Goa for our posterity and this call needs to unite us.
(The author is a retired banker)
