Goa - At the brim of destruction

19th December 1961 marked a day of liberation from the Portuguese rule. The people of Goa celebrated this day with lots of hope and enthusiasm. Little did they know that ending the Portuguese rule would bring an end to the strategic developments in the state of Goa. No longer is there an organized state
as it was at the time of the Portuguese. My sincere thanks go to Portugal for having beautified our state during their rule. I just wish they were still here.

People of Goa, what are we doing to accelerate the development of our state? Why are we so ignorant of the fact that we are still living a ‘SUSEGAD’ life and not at all concerned about the future of our state? Why do we still resort to openly pay bribes to our ever-loving government officials? When shall we put an end to all the corrupt practices that exist in every nook & corner of Goa?

Who is responsible for all this?? We – the people. Why are we responsible? It’s because we have developed a resistance to change. Our common statement – “All I want is lots of wealth, a happy home & a happy family. Why should I care about what happens outside my boundary wall?”  Please change this mentality for Christ’s sake. Let us think about the future of Goa, the future of our children. Let's heal the world & make it a better place to live in.

Sarpanchas, panchas & zilla panchayat heads have proposed for a 100% hike in their salaries. Their average salary lies in the range of Rs.1500/- & Rs.6500/-*. Looking at some of their properties, we might want to discuss the number of zeroes that can be added to the end of their understated salary figure. It’s a really good thought that salaries need to be raised. Then why not increase the salaries of the electricians, the linemen and other blue collar workers?

I once called up at the Vasco RTO office for some information that I wanted. A beautiful voice on the other end said ‘Hello’. The beauty in her voice just died down when I asked her for the information about my learner’s license renewal. She said ‘That is your problem. I cannot help you.’ And she bluntly disconnected. Is this how employees at government offices are taught to deal with its citizens? It’s a pity how you can never get your work done at a government department until & unless you have offered them a cup of tea, if you understand what I mean. If they feel their corrupt practices are being noticed, they divert the people’s attention to petty issues such as language to be considered in primary schools.

Let’s not go too far. What was the reaction of the Goa police when an angry mob of miscreants set fire to the co-operative building recently on May 25, 2011 at Balli? They just waited and watched like as if it was a 3 hr movie. No action taken. Thanks to the police, two people died and property damaged. If this is what the police are for, then we are more comfortable not having them in our state.

The year 2011 has seen uprisings in different countries against the injustice done by some of the corrupt governments. We, as citizens have to get united to get rid of the politicians (whether it is the ruling party or the opposition) who work really hard at increasing their financial resources from the money that actually belongs to the public. And this unity begins at home, in the heart of every Goan.  We cannot let our fate be decided by the so called ‘Ali Baba and his 40 thieves’.

*Panchayat salaries - Source - Times of India dated May 29, 2011.