Our ancestors lived through difficult times. There was no electricity, no transport, no roads, no tap water, no telephone and TV, nay radio. Grandma’s distinct sound “fu-fu” coming from a hollow bamboo pipe blowing at the chulla to lit the firewood was heard in the kitchen. Mother would draw water at the local well and carry home two water pots simultaneously one on her head and the other resting on her hip. Grandpa would look after the cattle at the grazing ground while father sloughed in the fields. Come night, a small kerosene chimney lamp kept the house lit up with its unfailing brightness. We do not see this picture of Goa anymore.
Our ancestors could have moved to better places in search of comfortable living, but they didn’t. Their concern was “let our children inherit what we leave behind after we are gone.”
Today we are a new generation in a highly advanced technology era. Life is so comfortable at fingertips. Yet we complain and are not willing to face the challenges confronting us. We want to run away to enjoy comforts of life shirking responsibilities. Only cowards run away. Brave men hold on.
Credits must be given to all Goans, with a deserving salute, who have held back to protect Goa and preserve what little is left for posterity. They are the ones who cares to keep Goa safe fighting against all odds.
The quote of Adv. Radharao Gracias “The rejection of Churchill Alemao’s bail today and the grant of anticipatory bail earlier to Digambar Kamat has provided an answer to the question as to why a section of Goans is making Portuguese Passports and running away from the country, is self explanatory. Herald Aug. 25, 2015. This trend must be reverted but our govt. has done nothing in this direction. Instead, we only hear statements to belittle the Christian minority as unworthy of living in the country.
Let us not pride ourselves telling others of our migration to foreign countries. We are not the citizens of these countries. Though the comforts of living may give us the pleasure of life, here in our homeland we miss our contribution to remember us for posterity. We belong to this land, India is our nation, Goa is our pride.
This land is ours, a precious gift from God. We must hold it in high esteem and respect it. We mustn’t let it be defiled by unscrupulous people for vested interests. Here is our birth right. Let us bloom where we are planted. Let us hold our head high in self respect and show the world we care for Mother Goa as much we care for ourselves. Come back you Goans to where you belong. Goa needs you.
