1 One of Goa’s most respected cultural artistes and actors Rajdeep Naik has completed 20 years on stage, His wit and satire have given us joy, made us laugh, made us think and made us hope. He, and so many other natak, tiatr and all other actors and performers have relieved us from pain and sorrow.
But today instead of giving back some joy in their lives when they needed it the most. Someone like Rajdeep Naik had to come out with a video to express their pain. And call the pittance of Rs 10,000 as a one-time settlement when the lowest salary of a government servant is about Rs 25,000.
This settlement was belatedly announced by the Goa government after the tiatr and stage community (backed by Herald) spoke out strongly about their financial condition after the COVID pandemic led to no shows and entertainment, for these professions who only lived off their skills.
THEY GAVE US JOY, BUT THE SYSTEM GAVE THEM PAIN. RAJDEEP NAIK SPOKE OUT AGAINST DISRESPECT TO STAGE ARTISTES
However, the ‘One Time Settlement’ of Rs 10,000 has come as a shock and insult to these pillars of Goan culture. Rajdeep Naik is a true cultural ambassador of Goa has been very strong and vocal about this. He, in frustration and hurt, has released a video on Saturday night. The video is an eye-opener to the deep hurt and pain that our ambassadors of joy and entertainment have felt.
DO THEY DESERVE THIS? Goa should be shamed if they do not get justice?
Every word in the video, which addresses the government of Goa, is a body blow to the system of governance.
Ten years ago, we brought you to power. Now elections are here. What has hurt us the most is that we have no jobs or ways to earn. But we will never ask for money. Many have thought of committing suicide. And many have resorted to selling fish” He said all stage artists want is work so that they are a part of the system that can do its job of entertaining profession
We made you free from pain, we gave you joy and laughter
It’s simple. Whenever any Goan has been low, in pain, or going through tough times, our natak, tiatr performers and other stage artists have given us laughter. That is the best medicine. And now when they want the medicine of support, work, and most importantly respect, they feel the government has failed them
What is a “one-time” Rs 10,000? What does it give?
Rajdeep Naik said “ Is this fair. We have loans, we have electricity bills, we pay Rs 1000 for a gas cylinder and repair our scooters. Government employees get Rs 25,000 per month (at the lowest level). This can be taken back. It’s an insult”
We have protected Goa’s culture, while those ruling do scams
Naik said that stage performers have protected and preserved Goa’s culture, while the system is full of scams. Herald calls upon the government to respect them and advises the Government that if there is less corruption from, for example, the medicine scam, so many land grabbing scams and forest scams, or the ventilator scam where ventilators of Rs 8 cr against a cost of Rs 2 cr were bought; there will be enough to support our cultural ambassadors- the stage artists
We have elected you all but we have no voice.
Naik said “Only (Late) Vishnu Wagh ( former stage performer and MLA) would have heard us. Remember in 2012 we elected you to power. And elections are coming again”
Herald asks the system: Stop corruption and help the people.
The stage artistes do have the voice of Herald to back them. It has clearly asked the government what needs to be done
The insult to the true children of our soil is painful and hurting
P.S. To add to Rajdeep Naik’s woes, a day after he released this video, his car was attacked and his rear glass, completely smashed. He fortunately was not hurt
2 NGOs and political activists forming parties are vote splitters
It’s is the election season and some NGOs and political activists who are forming political parties are nothing but vote splitters.
They are actually working towards helping the ruling party by dividing votes in the garb of doing good for Goa. They are the only hope for the ruling dispensation for whom they seem to be doing a very good job
3 The power of prayer. And that is exactly what the parishioners of the Little Flower Church in Delhi are saying
“What do you gain by prayer?
I gained nothing, In fact, I lost anger, depression, jealousy, irritation and insecurity” – Swami Vivekananda
When the Church in Delhi was demolished last week and the blame game between the Delhi govt and the center started, this is all that the common worshiper wanted. To pray. And Swamy Vivekananda has taught us what prayer does. Will the elected state government now rebuild both the Church and the people’s trust?
4 Where were all of Goa’s MLAs when they heard that a Church in Delhi was demolished
Wasn’t it the responsibility of every MLA of Goa to come out and speak against the demolition of the Church in Delhi and the impact it would have on the worshiper. This sentiment holds true of any place of worship of every religion. Why were Goa’s MLAs, ( and those having hopes of becoming MLAs) across parties collectively silent? Don’t they feel the pain of ordinary people who suddenly have no place to worship.
