It’s judgment day. The day you have been waiting for the poll bugle has been blown and the political forces are ready to battle. But today is your day. Parties and candidates will just have to step back and wait for your judgment.
But do remember dear Goans, go into that polling station to do this one thing above all else. Use your hand to vote for Goa. Of course, there will be choices and there will be parties, but they will each have to pass your basic test – will they do good for Goa? It sounds very simple but that is the core of what these elections are all about.
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When you are in that box, all alone, in silence, you will be able to shut off all the noise, all views, videos, and messages on social media, shut your eyes, and think of a beautiful Goa you once had, which you have lost and how it is up to you to get it back for your family, your, children, your grandchildren, your neighbours, and your loved ones.
The relationship between the people – policy and who they chose to be their representative has been in existence from the beginning of civilization. It’s a simple relationship. People chose and the leadership serves the people who chose them. This beautiful and simple equation has been spoilt, politics is not called dirty, leaders have become dealers and greed for power has superseded the will to help people. Instead of being people-based, it has become lobby-based. Haven’t you wondered why this has not stopped? Because you have not done enough to stop this.
You have been handed another chance. Your hand is stronger than all forces against Goa.
– It is stronger than any coal engine that will pull coal wagons along the tracks through our villages destroying their environment
– It is stronger than any double engine claiming to deliver for Goa, where flood victims still wait for compensation and families of COVID victims, still in mourning, waiting for someone to explain why in the 21st century India and Goa, oxygen cylinders did not reach on time, snuffing the lives out of their very dearest. Between May 9 and 14, 188 of the 323 COVID deaths in Goa happened at GMC. They did not die of COVID. They died of apathy. A three-member committee appointed to probe said the hospital administration did not raise the issue of lack of oxygen or seek augmentation of oxygen on time. Is this development?
It is your hand that can root out corruption
Corruption is the single biggest issue that is responsible for all of Goa’s ills. It is cancer, it has eaten into the soul of governance making it rotten to the core. What you see as inefficiency is not just that. It is a fallout of corruption. It is making projects costs go up by three times, it leads to an absolute monopoly of blue-eyed contractors. But because of these expenses and huge costs, to cover kickbacks the State has no money. Out debt is somewhere around Rs 24,000 crore and growing. What kind of development can we expect when we have Rs 25,000 crore to pay back and we are borrowing heavily at higher rates to pay off loans?
Decide that you will choose a government that can root out corruption. That decision alone will show you your full power.
When you are in that ballot box, alone and silent, do not get led into temptation. May God help you not be led into temptation. Keep everything aside, the false promises, the allurement, the largesse doled out to you.
It is on your hand to say bye bye-bye to divisive forces and say hello to inclusion
Goa is not divisive, Goans are not divisive. In fact, Goa is a proud example of unification of the co-existence and friendship of faiths but political forces who have tended to be divisive are assuming that they have power over Goa and Goans. Subtle attempts to put brushstrokes of polarization on the canvas of harmony are not liked by all Goans. Bringing issues of the past Portuguese era with underlying communal references are not called for. It is in your hands to choose a leadership that speaks the language of inclusion, progress of growth, and opportunities. It is such a waste to even to think of bringing in forces who have the potential to divide. Remember you are voting for five years and more. Your vote in an investment, it’s a fixed deposit. You need to be sure of the returns.
And that can happen if you choose those who will not be swayed by money who will not sell their souls and your vote, who will not defect and betray the people’s trust
Above all the silent voter will show its power
Trust yourself and the judgment of those you sincerely trust. You must be getting ready to go out and vote as you read this. You may have not promised or revealed your choice to anyone, but your heart knows. You the silent voter will show your power. To bring hope, bring equality, to embrace all, to be clean, to protect the people and the land from destruction, to breathe, and to have a future.
Above all, it’s all in your hand now. Choose well, Choose right. God bless Goa.
