We have moved away from the simplicity of life in Goa. And that is what has made our lives and our system so complicated. When people living by the river needed fish, they would simply go out and catch fish, enough for a few families. The fish would be bartered for rice or vegetables or even oil. No one went hungry. All ate and lived simply but comfortably.
There was a unique Goan way of life. Why are Goans losing sight of it?
Everyone had basic skills and used those skills to earn or barter. The render, the poder, the oil extractor, the feni maker, the carpenter and mason, the fisherfolk, the local bus driver and the farmer, each helped each other. Neighbours looked after each other’s children, some even helped in the education of each other’s families. If a village needed a school, villagers donated as much as they could and ensured that the children went to the village school, social life centred around the markets, tintos and tavernas. When Goans travelled, they left their homes open. When they returned they had open doors to welcome them. This kind of life and culture was unique not only to India but to the world. Some have forgotten this.
Glimpses of this are still seen in some villages away from the towns, especially in South and East Goa. It’s our way of life. And it’s worth fighting hard to preserve it.
You cannot bring what works in Assam to Goa. Goa cannot be about tall buildings and mega-projects and choked fields
We wish political parties understood this. That we cannot bring something else in this land. Goans have had a unique way of life for centuries.
We have had fields, beaches, natural ports, inland waterways, streams. Can we replace this with megaprojects built out of destroying forests and hills, without taking the village folk into confidence, can we have Ports Bills where beautiful fishing villages can be taken over by the Ports Authorities to spell doom to the traditional way of life of our fishermen. Can we have a way of life where a common Goan cannot have control over his inland waterways and rivers or the mangroves adjacent to them and can’t even ask his village panchayats and comunidade to protect his rights in areas under port jurisdiction, can we have a way of life where the farmer who toils hard on his fields sees it getting choked with debris from highway construction, can we have a way of life when things that are natural to us like clean fresh air is becoming dear to us? Ask the people of Mormugao first. Goans are getting choked with coal dust and TB and fatality is always a threat.
Goa is being sold left and right. And outside ‘putras’ are taking over.
It is a dream of every country to have what we have naturally. Goa is a pearl of the world. Tourists used to always say, Goa is beautiful but Goans are even more beautiful. But what you see today is the sale of Goa. And ‘sons of the soil’ are being kept aside for outside ‘putras’ who are vote banks, but even they will be hoodwinked and fooled after the parties who pretend to help them get their votes.
Goans have lived a life of dignity. Even when they have hardships they don’t ask. They don’t want freebies but a free way of life. And a culture that is protected
One of Goa’s biggest strengths has been its culture, its traditions, its dances, its festivals and its music and stage performances. These are not just about entertainment but a way of life. And also, a platform to communicate, educate and even unite communities. Today tiatr artistes and drama artistes have no shows, no income, have cases filed against them unfairly and next to nothing compensation amounts offered for their lack of work. And when our artistes do not get work, our oldest traditions get affected.
Would Goa like any other model than a Goa model? Because it is the people’s way. Do answer?
The only way forward is to have a people’s government where locals are fully involved. Where decision making is at the hands of Goans and professionals who can advise and execute. And even that achievement that lies in the hands of Goans. They need to educate their family first, then their extended family, then their neighbours and the village community about our shared values and the kind of governance we must have.
What is the biggest factor that will count if Goans want their old way of life, a system of local governance based on equality and justice? – Unity
Goans have to be united to win. There should be no external influence and pressure. Religious leaders play an important community role as guides. However, political parties should not use religious leaders to influence voting. And people must draw a line. Most importantly, keep Goa first. Even friends and family, if they are not for Goa should get no support, not even next of kin like brothers. Caste, family, community, religion have to be kept aside because these will not decide your children’s future or the opportunities they get or the quality of life they will lead.
In a democracy, anybody has a right to contest elections. But Goan values which we hold dear are paramount.
The role of political parties in a democracy has to be recognized. And Goans have voted for parties. But for the sake of Goa’s future and that of its children, allow only those parties who agree to follow the Goan way of life and its values. And if they do, they will get the trust of Goans. This is why the approach to elections has to be bottom-up. Enable people to decide who they want as their representatives.
This is too important. Nothing can be bigger than the future of your children in the land of their forefathers.
