Corrigendum: Latin for “something singular that needs to be corrected”. But in the context of governance in the State of Goa, there are multiple, or rather numerous affairs and critical areas of administration that must be corrected. Hence, we would need the plural and this should be titled “Corrigenda”. We shall however, a little further down, address that singular and more important prospect of change that needs imminent correction within our society. So “Corrigendum” stays.
As we are being fast-forwarded towards February 2022, the clamor is rising each day for a clean, transparent, honest, people-friendly, non-bribable, Goa-centric Legislative House. Amongst the din and raucous cacophony being mercilessly hurled at us from every communicative angle by our poll-blustering electioneering shenanigans, either in print, television, public propaganda melas, intrusive loudspeakers and even our smart phones, you can hear the fake promises of freebies and even hard cash, which indeed are nothing but an open and yet illicit form of outright bribery. Are we considered as being a low-grade, gullible and profoundly stupid electorate that would fall for such a degrading form of electioneering? Are we ready to be subjugated by this mobster mentality and entrust our lives and freedoms to such elements of greed and mindlessness to frame our legal and governing structure? Only Native citizens can and should solve their own problems. Is it even remotely possible that anyone, even the most illiterate among our electorate would sallow all this rubbish hook, line and sinker?
We need to ask: do we really believe that these outsiders have the true welfare in store for the citizenry of Goa? (Did I hear a snickering “Ha, ha, ha”). We all know too well of the rampant lawlessness and corruption prevailing in the States that are now spoiling to intrude upon our sovereignty.
Besides, we are already at the mercy at the hands of our own people whom we had elected, and who with abject cruelty and disdain tossed aside the trust and faith we so enthusiastically endowed upon them: our “YES” at the ballot box. Defection is an infection inflicting political greed-balls that tend to roll where the money flows; no conscience, no qualms about betraying their own countrymen. How will they ever repay the citizens? With another episode of unkind cuts? We are mute witnesses to their true character, to their demonstration of greed and open defiance of our protests, and performed with such arrogance and mockery for their wards, all this playing out before us and the entire nation. No point in crying “SHAME”, the degree of shamelessness displayed stands as an example for some of the world’s most tyrannical and despotic rulers to emulate!
There’s much to be corrected and reconstructed and set right here at home, and only we can solve our issues. The greed, criminality and envy maybe coming from outside, but the bigger enemy lives among us, as one of us. Politicos who have enjoyed the spoils of corruption and patronage of the “legendary rulers” of the first seventy years of the life of the Indian Republic, and now the more recent newbies, are soon sucked into the vortex of greed and despotism once they’ve learned how to dupe and control a submissive electorate.
“Free” electricity? Wow! But who pays for it? Are the costs paid from the monies collected as bribes; no, for that would call them out. Instead they pay the bills with the money collected as taxes, which in turn are paid by the people who hope to get “free” electricity! Whether it is from the treasure trove of the ill-gotten stash, or from the taxes collected, either way it’s the peoples’ money. All cash from corruption is swindled out from the Tax Treasury which belongs to some of the poorest people in the world. For how much longer should we allow them to treat us as suckers?
Corrigendum. The one singular object that needs to be corrected, to be put right: is us, the individual Voter. It’s All Hands to The Pump if we wish to save Goa, time is fast running out, it’s our life and liberty that are at stake. Life and Liberty? If you don’t believe that, look around you, the Hoardings across towns and highways, the political promises and deceptive pronouncements in your newspapers, the rhetoric spewed out on television, the widespread rallies and motorcades, it costs hundreds of crores. The amount of money, effort and time spent towards the manipulation of voters’ minds, only point to one target: Control. Control of the people, their culture, their way of living. Control of the abundant resources the State has to offer, and far more importantly, control of the Treasury. It’s all Big Business, Big Time.
This newspaper provides insights and advise on how we should move ahead. There is a highly recommended proposition that we should select and elect only women candidates, one from each of the 40 constituencies. When this happens, they will need strong and dedicated support from people who are aware of what it would be like if we let slip the future governance of the state to the unacceptable alternatives at play. If we look close enough at what will occupy the Government Benches if we lose, almost all choices presently visible pose a serious risk to our future. The recent successes of the protests that heroically turned around high-profile and critical issues, emphatically tell us that the greatest weapon we possess is People Power! It’s what we really have at any given time.
This time the stakes are higher, the outsiders know this. We need to raise the intensity of the fight beyond the level of the obstacles confronting us. We need cunning and caution and an unflinching will to win. As a tribute to the late and ineffable Military Commander, CDS Rawat, we should follow his supreme spirit of never giving up. Plan, Regroup and carry the battle forward with a brave and unfailing heart. Jai Goa. Jai Hind.
(The author is now a permanent resident of
Goa after many years
of living in Mumbai,
New York and London)
