Team Herald
Margao: For many Goans, Liberation Day has little relevance because they believe they have no freedom now. They opine that Goa needs to be liberated from Delhi rule first and be saved from the manner in which the State’s identity is being destroyed and transformed into something that the older generation cannot recognize as it is no longer the Goa they grew up in.
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Many locals were of the opinion that the State government would have done well to spend the Rs 100 crore on cleansing Goa instead of having a celebration that has no meaning at all. They also questioned how the State is spending Rs 100 crore on these celebrations when it doesn’t seem to have enough funds to clear various other dues and address pressing infrastructure and other related issues.
“It’s a day when we pay tributes to the people who fought for Goa’s liberation but in the present times it has no relevance, as the government is destroying Goa and Goan identity,” said a prominent local from South Goa, who added that only awareness on liberation can be created on this day.
Retired Headmistress Celina Coelho said she is very disappointed and disillusioned with what is happening and feared that the bright future she saw for her students is no longer visible. “There is no heed paid to Goans and there is no one listening to the common man,” she said.
She added that the beautiful Goa of yesterday has been destroyed and wondered what future the new generation will face given the fact that today Goans have to fight for anything and everything that they want or need.
“Liberation from the degradation of Goa’s unique identity and culture is something that we must all strive for lest any lingering doubts of the successful union of Goa with the Republic of India. Happy Liberation day to all my fellow Goenkars,” added, Wilbur Menezes a criminal and constitutional lawyer.
Raymond D’Cruz, a musician said post liberation Goa has democracy and there is no dictatorship as was happening earlier. However, he pointed out that there is much work to be done and that the government should learn to work fast and give up the lethargic pace of development.
A retired banker Joy D’Silva, who was seven years old when the Portuguese left Goa said, “We have a dictatorship at present where the government is not even listening to the people or their problems.”
He added that though Goans during Portuguese era had no voice, at present, they have a voice but nobody listens to it.
Soccoro Fernandes, a restaurant owner, asked whether anything tangible has happened following liberation. “It is the same trouble and struggle every day,” he said while quipping “Kitem borem zalam?”
An activist Advocate from Margao asked what is there to celebrate as serene, quiet and peaceful Goa has been converted into concrete jungles by filling up paddy fields, due to which filth and garbage can be seen everywhere. Besides that, the advocate pointed out that air and water is polluted, corruption is rampant in government offices and crime is increasing every day with women no longer being safe.
Felix Furtado, a retired Engineer, lamented that Goa has Delhi ruling the State and that Goans have no freedom to think for themselves.
Clifford Fernandes, a restaurant owner said celebrating liberation day is of no relevance absolutely as Goa very badly needs to be liberated from capitalists who are dictating the terms now.
Another local, an engineer, said there is no freedom in Goa as the government does what it wants without listening to the people. “People have been protesting for so long now but the government is not listening and going on cutting trees everywhere,” he added, while ruing the fact the beautiful and green Goa he saw in his younger days is being destroyed before his eyes.
Pearl D’Souza, a lecturer in a college said there is no governance at all. “What liberation is this when we are ruled by robbers and looters,” she asked, while pointing out that the government is quick to arrest any protester immediately while the looters and robbers are allowed to escape from the country.
