Polity is one of the primary properties of human nature. Humans cannot survive without coming together to build a city. It is a natural inclination for man to establish society or a city for the common good. Man without polity would be either God or beast, says Aristotle. Since we are rational beings—neither God nor beast—reason then dictates that we come together to promote the common good for the wellbeing of all. However, who should govern the city is a big question. The city is a relatively permanent and highly organised centre of population. The common notion is that wise people should govern the city.
What makes a Smart City? As per the objectives of a Smart City, it is to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life of people by enabling local development and harnessing technology as a means to create smart outcomes for citizens. Subsequently, the leaders have to be mindful of the objectives and apply the best minds to create a beautiful mosaic. Therefore, empirical knowledge is important, but wisdom is imperative for those who wish to lead and govern the city or state. A lack of such qualities in leaders is a clear recipe for disaster. And Panjim is anything but a Smart City.
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As we look back through our history and evaluate the present, the future blinks at us with uncertainty. Goa, under Portuguese rule, was the pioneer in establishing a Smart City or State. The Portuguese established the first college in India, and perhaps in Asia, and introduced the printing press in the year 1542 at Old Goa. St Paul College was founded by Jesuits, which also had a school for 450 local students, teaching them reading and writing; there, too, was a hospital. However, this institution fell prey to the plague and was then moved to a new location. What remains of the original college is the facade, known as the Gate of the College of St Paul. Portuguese taught western music as part of a Smart City. And what a contribution it turned out to be. The movie ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ depicts the grandeurs of Goan music and documents its contribution to Bollywood, meaning for the whole of India. The Portuguese had put in place smart laws for a Smart City, which are still in practice. The Portuguese also established a structured taxation system, levying taxes on trade and agriculture, which contributed to the economic growth of the region. Additionally, they implemented strict regulations on trade and maritime activities, creating monopolies and controlling commercial routes. They built roads and bridges, ports and airports, railways, and waterways without destroying or polluting nature, which became the lifeline of Goa then and now.
How can a leader who wishes to wipe out Portuguese history in Goa build a Smart City? The rich legacy of the Portuguese is something to behold and ponder. Even five hundred years later, what they had built stands tall and strong. Those who wish to deny this fact are not wise leaders but otherwise. And this monsoon exposed the lacklustre of those who desire to build Smart Cities. History bespeaks loud and clear about such unwise leaders who, instead of working for the common good by keeping in mind history and geography, instead usurp the wealth of the nation, suppress freedom, and put the lives of the citizens in danger. Ever since the Portuguese left Goa, the great hope of the people was to see better days. However, the opposite has happened. Barring just a few of them, most Goan politicians turned out to be scoundrels. Goan politicians have failed the people of Goa on every count. Yet, the gullible people of Goa continue to vote for them, always with the hope of a better tomorrow. The end result is that there are scoundrels governing the state. Goa has crumbled from grace to disgrace, proceeding from illegal mines to casinos, drugs to illicit sex, robbery to murder, bribery to corruption and distortion (mega-housing projects), open garbage to open defecation…you name it, and you have it. Is this a Smart City?
Every monsoon is a nightmare for the citizens, especially those living in urban areas, and now in the Smart City of Panjim. The residents of Panjim witnessed their worst nightmares coming true this past monsoon, and it is not going to get any better, but worse each year. A defective plan from a faulty mind is a perfect recipe for disaster in the making. The Chief Minister had this to say: “We can’t stop natural calamities, but if anything happens, then our team will be alert for restoration of road, power, and water supply within 24 hours.” This is not a smart answer for a wise leader. Disaster management and avoiding disaster are two different things, and only wise leaders can decipher them and plan for the city, taking into account all factors, especially nature. The Portuguese did not destroy the nature and image of Goa, but enhanced its image and put it on an international map for Goans to feel proud of. The present dispensation has no interest in upholding the beauty and wealth of Goa for the next generation but to decimate it for their personal gain. The Chief Minister of Goa, while wearing Portuguese designed clothes, is hell bent on selling Goa to the Gujarat lobby by shamelessly denouncing the Portuguese contribution. One blatant example is making Goa a coal hub and laying double tracks to transport coal to Karnataka.
Yes, we need Smart Cities, but to build Smart Cities, we need smart and honest leaders, which we are lacking in the present. The collapse of the newly renovated Kala Academy is a glaring example that speaks volumes about the intent and intellect of the present leaders. The current leaders are very smart at deceiving gullible people, and now they have learned the art of deceiving even gods—they bribe gods, as gods speak directly to them. How long will Goans tolerate such leaders? In fact, the beauty of Goa was so sublime that one of the ancient texts, ‘Suta Samhita,’ states that Govapuri, or Goa, has a spiritually cleansing touch. The very sight of Govapuri destroys any sins committed in its former existence, just as sunrise dispels darkness. The Portuguese understood this reality and upheld it for generations. What kind of a Smart City do we really want to build?
(The author is a Priest based at Pilar, Goa)
