GOA– THE FLIP SIDE

by Arsenio L. Desa

Goa, once a paradise, is fast turning into a living hell. Living in Goa has become a nightmare. Incidents like rapes, murders, dacoities, financial scams and the sex and drug trade which were uncommon in the past, are a reality today. Next perhaps, may be a terrorist strike or a natural calamity.

Goa may boast of an 82% literacy rate and a westernized culture, but a look at its elected representatives and their backgrounds is enough to indicate their quality. Our road sense speaks volumes for the carelessness and selfishness that exists in Goan society. Praises may be sung about the religious tolerance in our State, but the reality is very different. There exists a persistent underlying tension which has been demonstrated during the Opinion Poll, the Konkani agitation, the Statehood agitation and the Konkan Railway re-alignment agitation.

On another front, security has become a major concern, with citizens spending sleepless nights worrying about thefts and dacoities. Law and order have broken down. Gone are the days when, in Goa, windows had no grills and houses were left open during the daytime. Money could be safely stored in a secret niche in the house. Menfolk could be counted on for the protection of women whereas today, no female feels safe. Strengthening the police force is the need of the hour. The State Government has to modernize its police force, both with equipment and in terms of professional skills. Culprits must be dealt with a heavy hand and penalised.

Maintaining Goa’s natural beauty and the need of its people to live in harmony with nature is yet another pressing issue. It is necessary to encourage agricultural cultivation by giving subsidised loans to farmers. The issue of keeping Goa clean and green must be tackled along with issues like keeping the surroundings free from mosquitoes, especially around construction sites. Drainage systems must be well maintained so that they are not clogged during the monsoons. Gardens and parks must be made available for the public. Nature could be enjoyed free of cost in the past - today however, one has to visit spice gardens and hill resorts to experience nature.

Water, which was earlier available in abundance in Goa, has become a luxury today. People have to rely on water tankers and are at the mercy of PWD (Public Works Department) officials for their quota of drinking water. Corruption is another issue that the common man complains about. We curse our politicians, but surprisingly it is the same old racketeers who get elected every time. This shows that there is a wide gap between what a Goan preaches and what he actually practices. It is high time we wake up from our slumber and tackle corruption from the grass root level.

Almost half of Goa’s land is being bought by non-Goans. While Goans are busy blowing their trumpet about their great culture, sharks from other States are closing in from all directions. ‘Spot a true Goan’ could well be a new adventure sport and tourist attraction a few years from now.

To preserve Goa as a natural paradise, it is necessary to avoid playing with people’s lives, creating divisions amongst the people to promote vested interests and destroying the land and environment that sustains us. Public safety is to be ensured, infrastructure developed and there should be a proper supply of basic amenities, water, and electricity to even the remotest of villages. There must be transparency in trade and industry. Jobs must be made available to youngsters, and opportunities created for them to excel in various fields. For all this, proper planning and development is required. Copies of the draft master plan must be made available to Municipalities, Panchayats, the Central Library, non-Governmental organisations and interested citizens. This will help retain Goa’s image as a peaceful State. Goa has enough for everyone’s need but not for the greed of a few.
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Born in the month of October, Arsenio Leopoldo DeSa comes under the star sign Scorpio. However, Arsenio says he does not trust his stars but instead, believes in making things happen himself. While studying at St. Britto’s, he won several trophies in football, and though initially slow in academics, later on, reading and writing became his passion. Now aged 73, Arsenio is still going strong and keeps fit, he says, “by walking, working in the garden and above all, sleeping soundly!”