Disheartened Margao
Salcete seems a little disillusioned after the new government had very little to offer in its first three years. Salcete youth were the ones who made that large number of over 82% that voted for a change in Goa in 2012. Youth today are so focused on social media, seeking jobs outside Goa while the whole aspect of ‘Goaness’ and upholding Goan heritage and culture is very diluted. Herald looks at what runs in the minds of Xaxti’s youth of today.
Reyniel Martin pursuing his computer engineering at Verna and resident of Aquem pointed out that amongst the youth of today, Social media has taken over teenagers like wildfire spreading through their veins. They perceive it to be one of the most important aspects of their life which lead them to spending less amounts of time with siblings and family and hamper their progressive ways of studying.
Social activist Jose Maria Miranda who chose to send his children to Australia to study points out that it is most unfortunate that the government of Goa both in the past and now seems least interested in bringing into Goa industries that will provide jobs to Goans. This has constrained our youth to leave our shores and go abroad in search of better pastures. Miranda feels that our youth must realize that each one is a king in his own place and it is imperative that they stay back and fight this corrupt system that deprives them of what is rightfully theirs.
While Orlim based Nazario Pinto who along with his brothers ventured into many businesses from road contracts to catering and have been successful in all that they do, feel that Goan politicians have failed to create an atmosphere of entrepreneurship but have actually lured young boys and girls to sellout their lands to real estate sharks and take the Portuguese passport bait and leave Goa in the hope of making a living in UK even if it means not so great jobs,
Doing something off-beat
Another Navelim based, 26 year-old Anne Viegas who quit her job in a nationalized bank to pursue teaching kids through the Teach for India programme in Mumbai believes that people are moving out of their comfort zones to pursue careers they are really interested in even if it means going out of Goa.
Law graduate David Aguiar who works in the tourism industry and plays an active role in student politics and youth movements points out how youngsters today spend approximately five hours a day on social media mostly through smart phones while social media is an inseparable party of our lives. “I use it to communicate, follow news, and participate in debates on social forums but as far as careers are concerned, most youth choose metros and then move out as salaries are way better and also better opportunities. I chose to leave Pune and come back to Goa as I don’t like life outside Goa. Goa is special to me. I’m ready to compromise on salary and get more time with family and friends in Goa,” points out David who shuttles between work, helping his family in business, starting his own online portal and making time for political movements.
Advocate in the making Tarshish Pereira in his mid-twenties points out, “The future of the state is clearly in the hands of our youth but not many are aware of the responsibility cast upon them especially during these times. The world is moving at a fast pace and hence we have to keep up or be left behind. Regrettably we get left behind as many from Goa who are among the most talented in the country are forced to look outside for jobs. Successive governments have promised the moon in terms of employment but we’re still only dreaming. The power of social media is what drives the youth to be more aware of the bad state the country is in.”
Startups
Curtorim based Ryodan Gomes who returned to Goa to start his own app on android feels that there are several key factors that influence a young Goan to stay back or leave for better pastures and it is not always only about the money. The money of course is the biggest motivational factor but overheads of living in a big city sometimes take away the advantage of a better salary. “I think Goa in general lacks the energy, drive and working culture that we can see in many cities across India and the world. When you have a good industry and good quality jobs, you also bring in a culture that supports the aspirations and interests of the youngsters,” he said.
Stephanie Alphonso like many other Goans who chose a lucrative career in advertising in Mumbai feels that people want to go out shopping, go out late, socialize in the way they want and are free to do so and can afford to do so without thinking so much of payments. Family is another big factor why people stay back but after a point it dawns on you that you are only settling for a safe and secure lifestyle within your means and not chasing your dreams that can push the envelope. Academics are another big motivation and perhaps in comparison, Goa doesn’t have those world class educational facilities and support systems.
From Salcete to the world
Another interesting career is of 17-year old Khusboo Shah from Margao. Khusboo quit her higher secondary school in Goa and moved to an international school in Hyderabad and has recently returned from serving with kids and families in Kenya.
Khusboo asserts that, “The word ‘youth’ suggests energy. However lately, we have observed that priorities have been shifted, creating a generation gap between the youth and the older generations. With the world of technology and social media getting bigger and brighter, many have been attracted towards the glamour and the lifestyle of metropolitan cities and this migration has resulted in labeling Goa as a ‘very susegad and chilled out place to party and relax’,” concludes the little girl.
Youth who have moved out to pursue career goals looking back at Goa feel that culture and heritage lost differs on a case to case basis. The older generations in joint families generally tend to pass on their traditions and culture to the younger generation, whether it is related to festivals or any family specific events. This would also depend on the values inculcated/imbibed in the younger generation by the older one. Sure, the youth may opt for certain shortcuts in certain cases but by and large they wouldn’t do away with any tradition entirely.
Ninoshka Almeida, a telecom IT engineer from suburban Borda who spent her career in Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune before moving to Chester, UK feels that in terms of career opportunities there was very little when she joined the IT sector. Ninoshka believes that there are good IT opportunities in Indian cities besides Goa but work life balance is still a problem in Indian IT firms in terms of work timings, the only reason for her to choose Europe over India.
Not enough exposure?
Juhi Pandey who runs the Tara Trust, an organization that works with government school kids asserts that her connect with the youth of Salcete has been by interacting with them as interns at her organization. “Somehow I have noticed that their goals are very shallow and materialistic. It’s about trying to make fast money but also by trying to get jobs where one does not have to work too hard. The availability of internet on their phones has made them dependent on seeking information on anything and everything and thinking that just by reading on the internet they have gained “knowledge” whereas information and knowledge are two very different terminologies,” she believes.
The Herald will continue to interact with the youth of Salcete as Part 2 of the report will continue on next week’s Herald Review.
