When Goa fought and won its battle for Konkani as its official language and then full statehood, these were not just political victories. They were assertions of Goa’s pride and its identity. What was raised was the flag of uniqueness, a flag of specialty, and an announcement that while Goa is a part of the Indian union, its quintessential identity that is interwoven with its language, culture and beliefs will never be surrendered at any national altar.
And the most beautiful ribbon that ties together the package called Goa, is the ribbon of harmony and inclusiveness
In the recently concluded elections, Goans gave a full mandate to the current ruling party and one of the main expectations from this mandate is to keep the ribbon of harmony intact and forever tied around Goa like a protective shield
And the man who holds that ribbon for Goa’s protection is the Chief Minister. He is not the CM of one. He is the CM of all. And a Chief Minister has been voted in the belief that he has the caliber to do everything according to law to deliver equality and justice to all Goans.
Congress General Secretary RL Bhatia addressed a meeting in Panjim three days before Goa was formally declared as a state within the Union, urged Goans “to maintain the unity and harmony that have been their hallmark and to make Goa a beacon state to the rest of India”. From Chief Minister to Chief Minister this responsibility has been passed on and all have carried the harmony ribbon with responsibility. It now lies with our present CM Pramod Sawant.
As Goa toasts the 35 anniversary of its statehood, let us look at the promises made to itself. One was that Goans in the IAS would be brought back to serve their state. Another was that Goans would now no longer have to go to foreign shores to find work and they would find jobs at home. Thirdly that there was a need to carry all sections of Goans together and that Goa would become a greater state if everybody put his shoulder to the wheel.
35 years later, these promises to oneself on the occasion of statehood, need to be studied and evaluated honestly.
Moreover, we always speak of identity as we should. At 35, let us ask if there has been an enhancement of it or depletion.
For long, our tourism identity was linked to Russian tourists, and not about traditional art crafts occupations etc. We wanted the world to know Goa and experience its unique cultures, crafts, and traditional occupations. Have we done that or restricted Goa’s view only to the coastline, especially the North Goa coastline?
Goa’s biggest treasure is our heritage. And one of the most projected heritage areas are precincts of the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The construction of a massive residential villa by parties from outside and helped by forces from inside, through manipulation of facts and documents has hurt each and every Goan. A strong state will take immediate action and will not delay the orders of demolition of this structure.
Having a sustainable environment was our trophy. Does it still sit proudly on our trophy shelf? The mining destruction continues to this day even after the Supreme Court has removed the erring mining barons from the ecosystem of Goa’s mining. Farmers whose fields have been destroyed by mining dumps are getting beaten by the police with no action against rogue cops. From Mayem to Pissurlem, villages are getting destroyed by a barrage of mining truck movement and yet a sarpanch who protests gets arrested.
Mollem is no longer a name of a forest but a movement. A case of people and not the forest depart fighting to protect our lungs and assets. Forests need state protection and cannot be an issue of dispute between the state and its people.
Monuments and memorials of a former Chief Minister are allowed within the CRZ area of a prime beach, but one wishes there will be statues and memorials in the name of those who contributed to movements that gave Goa its language and statehood. One is sure those will also come someday.
The Portuguese had excellent town management, drainage facilities, etc. They did not need smart cities, they just had smart people. Goans hope that our cities will be built with smart people using common sense to build infrastructure where money doesn’t flow down the drain or river, cities where roads and bridges once built remain for the people.
Each issue is handled by the courts. Goans have always had to fight for their own rights in Court. A strong state looks forward to a system where the protection of citizens’ rights and that of heritage and environment is the state’s responsibility so that activists and people never have to go to court.
People’s decisions are made with a lot of thought, and they should not have any occasion to ever rethink the decision which they make about their future. Once the ribbon of harmony is tied well, equality, incisiveness, and natural justice follow easily. And that remains our hope on this day and forever
Herald wishes all Goans and those who love and care for Goa a Happy Statehood day and hopes for the fulfilment of all their dreams and aspirations.
