If only one could summarizes memories of the yesteryear’s and narrate it to the newer generation, they would wonder if that was life in Goa of the era. This is not about making a point to patronize our colonialists but to simply archive our living from the past and compare it with the period. Though we may boast of present progress and advancement, we must also realize how we lost the great image of Goa and being a Goan. The peace, harmony and tranquility that prevailed are now greatly replaced by injustice, goondaism and corruption that has hit the nail in the destruction Goa on a larger scale. Political class was a part of society, now it has become like a caste by itself. The Late Dr. Jack D’ Sequeira must be weeping form his heavenly abode realizing that this was not his dream for the Goans. Goa is now slowly adulterated into criminality by those who escape justice due to the present system of “bail out” engineered by a few greedy lawyers who dent the law through loopholes. Today, many criminals roost and continue their criminal activities with no fear of law. Since Goa earned it’s liberation from the colonialists, things have turned different for those who cherished the olden memories when crime was seldom heard of. For them, this is never our liberation or victory, in fact things has gone from bad to worst. We have remained bonded to our politicians who are plundering Goan wealth in broad day light, making rules favorable for themselves or their political party. The people friendly government is a distant dream for the Goans. Democracy is being customized to suit the political needs of the politicians and their families.
Are we really liberated, is there an administration that function, do we really have freedom? Are our children safe, do we have safe roads? These are some of the disturbing questions we ponder on a daily basis. It bothers our minds after a deep thought, we may satisfactorily agree and feel positive to convince ourselves to compensate with the present time. We then realize in no time that we really need a change to overcome our miseries from the bureaucracy controlled by the politicians and their corrupt methods. Until we come on the streets after exhausting all resources, our voice is not heard. That’s how our politicians are used in noticing us nowadays. Many a Goan voices are suppressed by invoking precautionary but criminal clauses that bars peaceful Goans from fighting for fundamental rights and against those who destroy our environment.
Today, we live in liberated Goa with perfect freedom, human rights and justice, we believe. But it is otherwise, few politicians have taken perfect freedom to loot and plunder wealth, some in foreign countries, in dividing the country in the name of religion. All is happening under the guise of our elected representatives supposed to maintain Democratic values and protect our rights. Criminals have taken perfect freedom to prove they are innocent being involved in daylight murders. This is due to the failure of the justice in some of our Courts of Law, some being biased and some by misleading, criminal lawyers. Many criminals are acquitted in courts for the failure of proper investigation in the case or the witnesses turned hostile due to the fear of the criminal. Even the Judiciary is now alleged to be tainted. The common man is crying for justice, the poor man is crying for daily bread. The helpless people are looking for employment, to feed themselves and the family. And politicians are looking for helpless to prey on.
We do not want political parties to rule us through their own favorable laws. We need a system that works efficiently like in countries with good governance that provides everyone a decent life with proper justice done to the subjects. Goans in the earlier decades lived in harmony though education was not widespread. Today, people are searching for social justice in the society. Goa was never destroyed by the colonialists but now so by our own political class who suddenly woke up from slumber and found a lot of muscles in their head, they suddenly became rich through illegal means, nefarious activities, smuggling, looting, etc. This was unlike in the olden golden days, it was not even permitted or accepted by the society.
During the Emergency of Indira Gandhi in 1972, the freedom of expression was at stake. The same is happening now with the present government invoking different sections of law to suppress the voice of the people. In olden era, there was equality, humanity practiced with respect and the social fabric was strong. The fear of law prevailed, crime was at it’s lowest ebb. Churches, temples and other religious places were untouched though doors were left open, religion was holy and not a business. Fear of God prevailed in the minds of the people. In today’s era, many a few police personnel are themselves proven to be involved in selling drugs, Is Goa turning into the next Mexico? What else do we need to destroy Goa? Prostitution was seldom heard of, there were no massage parlours and peace prevailed along with harmony unlike today.
In those golden days, we had just church, temple and mosque related religious festivals. Now we have so many festivals, can’t keep an account that easily. Beer festivals, wine festivals, dance festivals, film festivals, sunburn festivals to name a few. Many are notoriously alleged to be drugs infested with prostitution and crime being part of it. The common man though not a part of it foots the payment of tax to provide comfort to our V.I.P guests. Our CM and other ministers remain busy lighting candles and cutting ribbons. Or breaking coconuts (can I call it a grass-nut?) Security, police and everyone are kept engaged to give a class reception to these visitors and delegates wherein the common man is neglected, their houses robbed in the villages / towns where police fails to reach.
