Goa, not for sale!

We've had it up to our eyeballs.

We've become a joke. And it's beginning to cause nausea. It's simply not funny anymore. We're now saying, enough is enough. We've tolerated too much nonsense from these power hungry brokers. Believe us when we say they care nothing about Goa, except themselves. They have nothing to lose because their Swiss banks are well stocked. It is we, Goans, the common man on the street who fends for his daily bread and butter, who has been made to look like an ass. For abusing the only weapon of democracy in our hands - the right to vote - by voting not leaders, but political pimps into power. I believe these political parties are soon going to turn us all into a population of asses. So much for being the country's No 1 State!

We've had enough. Goa has had enough. It is time to revolt by using the power of reason and thinking, since elections will be round the corner soon. Yet again. It is time for the citizen to unite, to take stock, to assert what is good for him and the future of his children. If you sell your soul for the money they throw at your feet, remember that you alone are responsible for the ruin of your State. Bad money brings only bad curses.

Utt Goenkara!

Why are we still found dozing? It is time to say Goa is not a haven for political goondas. Goa has not been pawned to political hooligans. Goa will not be used and abused like a prostitute (even they exercise respect for their profession). Goa will not sell into the hands of political pimps and other lowly creatures who use force, intimidation and mobs to vent out their frustration when things don't go their way. This is `murder of democracy,' when sycophants take to the streets and vandalise public and private property for being bad losers. We've seen examples of State sponsored vandalism in Mapusa, Fountainhas, Panjim and Vasco already. These have been our benchmarks in good governance. These are the political parties that have us believe we can trust our fate in their hands. These are the leaders who promise to take Goa into the 21st century? By destroying private property? By intimidating, threatening and causing bodily harm to members of the Press? By stone throwing and physical violence caused to citizens and to the Head of the State? By breaking the law, because for years they have been a law unto themselves? Is this the political party that, until a few months, was breast beating their victory for having 'developed' Goa? I hang my dead in shame. Goa should too, after seeing flashes of 'our democracy' telecasted to the rest of the world. How well we are progressing, no? All this horse-trading, this bargaining and bartering our values, tradition, principles and self respect for voting civilized thieves to power. We deserve it. Because we are blinded by money that political parties use to buy our silence and our values. Fast money comes so easy during election time, isn't it?

Friday's incidents unleashed by the Saffron brigade in the city was nothing short of an attempt to riot. And we almost got there, but for the timely presence of the cops, though I understand the cops too have yet to come to terms with shifted sentiments and loyalties with a change in power. But a situation well controlled, nevertheless. It forces you to pause and ask yourself where we are heading? Where is Goa heading?

As we get pushed into another bout of elections and the common man reels under yet another drama of musical chairs, Goa's end of innocence is almost nigh, because we have contributed to her destruction.

 We are party to this instability because our voices are heavy with guilt. Our shoulders burdened with the weight of an uneasy conscience. We agree we have been let down, time and again. But do we agree that we have been party to this haven of criminals all intent to rule the State their way? Why don't we realize that we have an active role to play in deciding the future of Goa with our participation in State building, as much as we have the power to decide the leader who will lead the State to perpetual prosperity? We must ask for better choices. We must encourage new faces to take on the lead and support them. We must demand better manifestos that keep Goa as the Number One priority before their pockets. Maybe its time for a third front? A new beginning of conscientiousness citizens fuelled by fresh idealism and youth power to give a voice to her young dreams. The old cronies then can be booted out to retire. So, who fires this gun?  

submitted to TGF by the author of March 9, 2005

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