Parthasarathy Sen
The article “Voices from the rustic hinterland cry to be heard” (Herald, June 10). The writer laments the sad state of affairs in the country side of Goa affecting agricultural production, the principal reason being the children of farmers are acquiring education and consequently they have no taste and aptitude for farming activities and the elderly have to slog hard to make both ends meet, education too does not fetch jobs and employment. The country side therefore remains bleak and nobody is bothered. The steady decline of agriculture can be attributed from the fact that along with livestock, the net domestic product may be somewhere to the tune of 15 to 20 per cent and main features noticeable in Goa are static agricultural production, decline in fish catch and falling output from forest cover.
What pains me from outside Goa, despite all possible natural resources the state has to be dependent on neighbouring states for food grains, cereals, milk, vegetables, etc. Two issues demand immediate notice and attention. First the State government must not remain apathetic and act as the facilitator to make agricultural activities golden in this interim period of rains. Secondly, with large scale joblessness of the village youth they could be motivated by the government and the village elders and society to help their elders in running of agriculture, some incentives could be thought of to be given monthly basis to those youth who can work on farms. Side by side in their spare time they could concentrate on learning and gaining knowledge.
It should be up to the countryside youth to conceive a balance between creating better agricultural output for family advancement and that of society and acquiring modern day information and knowledge. Our education system is so imperfect and this area requires drastic change to make youth self sufficient and not be a burden on families and society. Today it appears that the state government is in a state of flux with practically no vision how to raise the state from sluggishness to active and holistic growth. Mining has taken a dip, the monsoon season will earn less tourist dividends, agriculture and fishing have huge scopes only if wisdom prevails. The urban youth are more privileged than their rural counterparts can withstand difficulties to a great extent, the rural youth without money to spend are at a loss and this leads to destructive and undesirable activities. Finally not the beaches, historic monuments can make Goa the Paradise, unless the inner fabric is strengthened and empowered to the satisfaction of all types of people, the state of beauty and modern impulses will take no time to lose its vitals. Government’s indecision and callousness on various issues must be thrown away and in place the need for a vision and agenda is the need of the hour at this watershed moment. One wishes for strong villages, strong towns and cities and if this happens, Goa will attract many people and things. Let not the villages and villagers cry.
