John Xavier D’Souza
I am a Goan and I am proud to be a Goan. Living among people of different religions, castes, traditions, and cultures. Today I may have all the facilities and amenities of life within my grasp, then why am I still so apprehensive? This is the question that is lurking my mind consistently? Well, I got the answer with minimal introspection. Are we really safe in Goa? When I say “we” it is with respect to humanity. The following issues or experiences of the recent past, as you may refer, are forcing me to ask that question: Section 144 was imposed against Goan people who were protesting against those, who were responsible for the irregularities done while investigating the murder of Father Bismarck. Till date there has been no outcome and justice has been denied.
Despite the protest by the people from Betul, the government of Goa went ahead with the Defence exposition. Not only for one year, but they have made Goa a permanent venue for it. People might have opposed the Mopa airport, despite that the government is pressing for it. Every year IFFI is organised in Goa. Recently the BRICS summit was held in Goa. Every Goan should have the curiosity to know, who is benefiting from all these activities? Or is it only the traffic congestion and pollution of different kinds, which are the ‘blessings’ for Goans.
The current government had promised that soon after coming to power all the casinos would move out from the Mandovi river. Unfortunately the casinos are still there, and to add to the misery their number has increased. And now the government is planning to nationalise the Goan rivers.
The government was supposed to bring back the black money within 100 days. Now it’s almost time for next elections but neither the black money has come back nor the people have received their deserving white money, I am referring to the seventh pay commission which the government may be delaying for political motives. Day by day the Goan population is increasing, not by new births, but due to migrants. At present I am in a dilemma, “Is the government functioning for the benefit of the Goans, the common man, or for whose benefit?”
The sons of the soil are going to foreign countries, and the Goan land is sold to Bollywood actors, cricketers, businessman, politicians from other states and so on. The Goan identity is getting dissolved slowly among varied cultures and traditions. Soon there might be no Goans in Goa. Eventually Goan beaches, mines, wild life sanctuaries, heritage sites and the remaining Goans will also be nationalised. The process has already begun with the nationalisation of rivers. Besides this there are other issues like illegal supply of drugs, robberies, murders so on. All these are countless and serious issues and the worst thing is that they are proliferating. This is why I am forced to ask “Where are we heading?” All of us are still sleeping. One fine day we are going to wake up, but I am afraid whether then, it will be too late.
