Goa is witnessing a huge change whether politically, socially, culturally, economically and at all other levels and it is amazing to see world class infrastructure projects including good roads and bridges such as the Atal Sethu and the new Zuari bridge. The BJP Chief Minister Pramod Sawant seems committed to his mission of providing good governance and although it has been an arduous task, the results are starting to show.
Goa is a small state with limited area, it has a 105 km coast line. From Keri in the north to Palolem in the south, Goa has many world famous beaches like Arambol, Colva, Anjuna, Calangute (most popular and crowded), Palolem and many other small lesser known beaches and it is high time that all beaches should be kept clear of beach obstructions including unauthorised constructions of restaurants, hotels and shacks which have mushroomed on these beaches close to the high tide line.
Panaji the Capital of Goa has deteriorated. This beautiful island city is neglected. There is digging everywhere and heaps of sand and other construction material, remain scattered all over. Parking is a major problem. Repeated traffic jams and the traffic police are confused not knowing how and where to direct the traffic. There is no proper road signage and senior citizens are afraid to walk, fearing that they may fall into one of the many open drains. People suffer hardships for no fault of theirs. This small town of Panjim has a big municipal corporation called the CCP and it is high time that our corporators bury their indifferences and unitedly work to create a self-driven, self-regulated, independent municipality that will offer the best civic amenities for the benefit of its citizens.
The people have great expectations from the BJP government which is riding on the crest of the wave and there is hope that the government will take the people into confidence by focusing on possibilities and endeavour to work for the common interest of Goa. People must come to accept government not as a necessary evil, but as an affirmative good and the Government in turn will have to reciprocate and stand up in their integrity and must never fail the people that elected them.
To make Goa strong and united, we should adopt the language of love. Definitely, the political parties and their respective candidates should argue with each other – but respectfully avoiding smears that have no basis in fact. We must make democracy work for all of us through positive campaigns and say No to everything that is negative. People get convinced with simple answers to complex societal problems.
Our politicians will have to learn to address the issue of telling the truth and not justifying falsehood. They will have to realize that they are elected servants of the people and not their masters for ‘Politics was born with man and shall survive as long as man survives’. Time has come when we the people should talk of the future of Goa. We have to look at the future of our villages, towns and cities, we have to ensure that Goan identity is maintained for the future of our children. We have to create history. It is now or never. Let us put the past behind us and think afresh. Are we ready for the crusade? Are we ready to recreate a new Goa for our future generations?
