Goa of My Dreams: GRA- "Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz"

Goa of My Dreams: GRA- "Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz": "A new HOPE has finally dawned on Goa... once again. Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz (GRA) or the‘Voice of the Protectors of Goa’, as..."

GRA- "Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz"

A new HOPE has finally dawned on Goa... once again. Goemchea Rakhondarancho Awaz (GRA) or the‘Voice of the Protectors of Goa’, as they call themselves, has arrived in Goa. My hearty congratulations to the “new protectors" of Goa. Welcome to Goa... Goa and Goans have been long awaiting your arrival.

As you are probably aware, GRA is a newly formed "Group of 35 NGOs". They are from different parts of Goa. Most of them are social activists of known credibility and experience; people who have fought for "just causes" in the past; and people who continue to do their community work , fearlessly. The formation of GRA is indeed a great "new beginning" for Goa; and a genuine new Hope for those who feel let down by our present day politics and politicians in Goa. 

For any Orgenization/Mass Movement to be successful, it needs people of different kinds and minds. It needs visionaries, strategists, back office workers, good writers/speakers, pro-active supporters and fearless field workers. GRA certainly has them all, and it has  them in a big number. GRA also has a couple of sincere, committed and mature leaders in its "Core Committee". In my opinion, GRA is one of the best things that could have ever happened to Goa. GRA has to be given a chance; it certainly deserves our support, guidance and blessings.

It was a great honour  to be invited by Adv Yatish Naik and others to attend one of their earliest "Core Group" meetings. It was a privilege to exchange views, on a wide variety of topics. After listening to them, I was bold enough to point out, that for GRA to succeed in its mission, it should keep the politicians (including myself) out of it. GRA should remain an exclusive "People's Movement"-actively involved in Goan politics. In my opinion, GRA should also be an organization that is totally focused on safeguarding "Goa, Goans and Goanness".

All this while, different NGOs and Forums in Goa were fighting for their respective causes, all on their own. Coming under "one banner" called GRA will not only add synergy to the respective NGOs, but will also strengthen "social activism" in Goa.  NGOs will thus be able to fight their individual and collective battles more effectively. And Government will not be able to take them for granted any more. "Coming together" for the greater good of Goa, was indeed the need of the hour; and I thank God that it has become a reality. And I hope that this is not a "mirage", but a reality that is going to last for some time in Goa, and get stronger by the day.

After meeting their leaders, I was convinced that GRA is in "safe hands", and that it is capable of doing a great job for Goa. However, just as different people have different mind sets, different Groups/NGOs also have their individual agendas and ideologies which can sometimes clash with each other. The ultimate success of GRA will depend on how far these individual Groups within the GRA "discipline themselves", and channelize their time, talents and resources to fight the "real enemies of Goa". They should not fight "each other", as it happened with the famous People's Movement in Goa, a few years ago.  

GRA will be holding its first public meeting at the Azad Maidan, Panaji on March 15th 2011... to demand a "change" in government’s anti-people policies and a clamp down on rampant corruption in the government administration. GRA also want a resolution to be passed in the State Legislative Assembly for granting of a "special status" for Goa by the Central Government. Besides the anti-corruption Lokayukta Bill being passed at the earliest (but not before sufficient time is given to the public to improvise on it), they also want to highlight other issues like the police-politician-drug mafia nexus, the modified  Regional Plan 2021, illegal mining, land acquisition for Mopa Airport and Indian Navy, garbage menace and environmental degradation, Mega Projects, and other issues which are bad for Goa and Goans.

All these actions are indeed a "great beginning" for GRA. I only hope and pray that their wise leaders will take all the necessary precautions to keep politicians out of GRA. People with known political ambitions and self-centered "hidden agendas" should be dealt with firmly, and kept out of GRA. Nobody should be allowed to "piggy ride" and take advantage of GRA (to boost their hidden political ambitions). GRA should neither be a political platform for the existing politicians/Political Parties, nor a political launching-pad for theaspiring (future) politicians. If that happens, both the GRA and social activism movement will dilute their credibility and effectiveness; and people will loose confidence in them. 

Although I am not a politician in its true sense, having already announced my political candidature, I felt it was "not right" for me to be a part of GRA. I have therefore decided to support this great Movement from "outside". I do not wish to take advantage of GRA to boost my election campaign. In my opinion, GRA should be allowed to play a very responsible "dual role" in Goan politics. GRA should not be "tool" of any politician/political party. GRA should be a "catalyst for political change" in Goa; and should act like an "effective community watchdog" before, during and after the elections.

GRA should also take over the role of a "responsible opinion leader" in politics. It should educate the masses on the kind of political leaders they need to elect for the good of Goa. GRA should actively support and canvass for  "good candidates" (people of known credibility, irrespective of their political affiliation) in different constituencies; and explore the possibilities of forming a Third Political Front or a new Regional Party in Goa... totally independent from Congress, BJP and other existing Parties in Goa.  

If GRA could succeed in achieving any one of these two objectives, it will surely change the face of politics in Goa. It will bring in a couple of "responsible MLAs" into the Goa Assembly, and thus usher in a "Change"... a change that we can see and believe in. It is to this hope and prayer, I say... may God bless you GRA, and may the best come out of you. Amen.

IMPORTANT: If you missed reading my earlier Note on Facebook... "A Different Kind of Politics", kindly click this Link to read the same-  http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=169515449762624&id=1141653347

Goa of My Dreams: Stop illegal mining in Goa

Goa of My Dreams: Stop illegal mining in Goa: "For too long, 'we the people' residing in non-mining areas have remained silent. We are certainly not sick in our minds, to remain 'indiffer..."

Stop illegal mining in Goa

For too long, "we the people" residing in non-mining areas have remained silent. We are certainly not sick in our minds, to remain "indifferent" to the sick, illegal mining that is going on in many parts of Goa. It is high time we take responsibility for our actions and tell the government in one loud and clear voice... "Stop your Nonsense; Stop illegal Mining Today". 150 odd residents of Cavrem have done just that; and the Government listened to them (atleast for the time being). If they could do it, we can do it too. And if we don't do it now, what appears to be a serious problem in a few parts of Goa, will soon destroy the whole of Goa... some day in the near future. 

It is important to realize, that the various Talukas in Goa are not "independent islands" on two different planets. They are interconnected. If we allow one part of Goa to be destroyed by indiscriminate mining, the nature will destroy the other parts of Goa; and will destroy it ruthlessly. One of my Facebook friends said it better… "Unjustifiable and indiscriminate mining and associated activities out of utter lust for money , with total disregard for the health of our own brothers and sisters, the precious lives of our own children and the life giving environment with its beautiful flora and fauna, is undoubtedly a heinous crime against humanity as well as nature! To speak the truth - however bitter it may appear to be - it is like raping your own mother… the mother earth!"

Let me make it very clear-- I am not against LEGAL mining. It is a "necessary evil", and it has been there for many years. It has contributed to Goa’s socio-economic growth, and many Goans depend on it for their livelihood. Stopping mining would result in adding to our existing unemployment problem. Besides disturbing the business of our small and big truck owners, barge owners, etc, it will also create serious problems for our aam aadmi.  Hundreds of laborers, drivers and other petty daily wagers are directly and indirectly dependent on mining in Goa.

What I am certainly against is the "illegal mining" in Goa. It has to be stopped or legalized immediately. In a recent development, the Central Environment Ministry made it very clear to the Karnataka Government that no new forest diversion proposals should be entertained till the State took specific and time-bound measures to check illegal mining in Karnataka. It is "shocking" that the same Central Ministry is turning a blind eye to illegal mining in Goa. It has to apply the same rule everywhere. For too long Goa has suffered from the step-motherly treatment given to us by the Centre. We are not going to take any more of it, anymore.

We cannot afford to remain mute spectators to this gross injustice. Illegal mining fueled by utter greed for money has to be stopped immediately.  The problem in mining affected areas is certainly NOT a political issue, and therefore should be tackled urgently as a "human rights' issue, by the social activists and workers of all the political parties. It is also a serious health issue... what is good for a few, cannot be allowed to RUIN the health of the hundreds of people living/traveling in those areas. We cannot allow it to destoy our beautiful Goa.

The issue of "illegal mining and its negative byproducts" should be solved at the earliest; and my support and prayers are with all my Goan brothers and sisters who are affected by it. As somebody had rightly said i--" No one is all bad and no one is totally corrupt; it is just a matter of how much they think they can get away with." For too long we allowed them to get away with it. Our "nonsense attitude" allowed them to continue their atrocities on our motherland. It is time to be firm, and tell them very assertively..."Stop your Nonsense; Stop illegal Mining Today".

Goa of My Dreams: A Different Kind of Politics

Goa of My Dreams: A Different Kind of Politics: "I guess, in today’s Politics, a combination of being a 'non-politician and a successful dentist' is rather an odd combination. And that has..."

A Different Kind of Politics

I guess, in today’s Politics, a combination of being a "non-politician and a successful dentist" is rather an odd combination. And that has a few disadvantages.  But fortunately the odd combination also has many advantages; and that is certainly the case with me. Who knows? Probably through this odd combination, God has brought into Goan Politics, a "different kind" of a person... a person who has got the guts to do what is right for Goa, and not what is popular with the masses.

To start with, having had to wear my "dental face mask” for nearly thirty odd years, I was forced to develop a habit of "talking less, listening more, observing minutely and acting decisively". After encountering and dealing with different kinds of pains (toothaches, psychosomatic pains and other kinds of pains) in my long professional life, I was probably "subconsciously trained" to become a person that I am today...very sharp, sensitive and empathic to the real needs of the people.

Being a Non-Politician, I can still think, feel and act like a "Non-Politician". It has also given me the wisdom and courage to experiment with a "different kind of politics" in Benaulim Constituency.  And thank God, my brand of politics has found a wide acceptance with the people; and has earned me a lot of goodwill in the bargain. It has created so many political ripples, that, Mr. Churchill Alemao has become a “very desperate man”. This was evident when he released a quarter page "defamatory advertisement" against me...without any provocation from my side. (If you wish to read that silly advert in Herald, kindly click this Link... http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoaukextra2/5420678503/sizes/l/)

So why do I call it is a "Different Kind of Politics"? To start with, I am not distributing any money, alcohol, water tanks, gold chains and other goodies to gain the support/votes of anybody. On the contrary, I have chosen to walk the road that is less traveled. Besides encouraging the youth to "give-up cigarettes and alcohol", I have got many of them actively involved in new positive habits like gymnasium, indoor/outdoor games and other activities. As you are aware in today's politics, youngsters are given money and alcohol, and "used by the politicians" to do their odd and dirty jobs.

After joining politics, the first thing I attempted to do was to visit every home in Benaulim Constituency. For technical and political reasons, I could visit only 65% of them so far.  My intention behind visiting these homes was not to seek their support/votes, but to know "first hand" the various problems faced by my electorate.  Instead of telling others "what I will be doing for them", I started my politics by “listening and understanding” the needs of the people. Many of them told me, that this was something which nobody had done earlier.

After doing a good homework, I started Benaulim Community Centre to address some of the important unfulfilled needs of my people.  It is therefore no surprise that my Centre has become a "big hit" in Benaulim Constituency. Even my political rivals acknowledge the good indoor and outdoor work that is being carried out by this Centre.  Although many people give me the credit for starting the Benaulim Community Centre, I would like to share this "public acknowledgement" with the people of Benaulim. It is they who told me "what they wanted". I only responded to their demands/suggestions by doing what I could afford.

Benaulim Community Centre is a centrally located at Zen Gardens, near Maria Hall, Benaulim. Although this 4500 sq.ft. ground floor premises had cost me a bomb (when I purchased it four years ago); it has become a real "blessing" for everybody. I could go ahead and do the innovative community work that I am currently doing, only because I had this beautiful premises. And I thank God for it... He is my provider and my fortress. I sincerely believe, that with the support of my people, and the blessings of my mighty God, I will be able to do a lot more for my village, Goa and Goans. 

We conduct a lot of indoor and outdoor activities at our Centre for people of all age groups. And the facilities are absolutely FREE for the local residents of Benaulim Constituency. Although Benaulim Community Centre  is a novel concept for Goa, it is certainly not my "invention". You can find such Centres in many parts of the world.  I invite you to visit our Centre, and see for yourself the various things we are currently doing. We are certainly "transforming" Politics in Goa... from a "Greed based, Self-Centered Politics", into a "Need based, Community-Centered Politics".  

And for those of you who will not be able to visit us in the near future, I would like to tell you more about Benaulim Community Centre in my next Facebook article - "Touching Hearts, Changing Lives". 

A personal request: The citizens of the Arab World have proved beyond doubt that "People's Power" CAN win over "Money & Muscle Power". We Can and We Shouldmake it happen in Goa too ! In order to ensure that "People's Power" wins over "Money & Muscle Power", be a part of the CHANGE you want to see... Please go out of your way to "work for Goa"; and share this article with all your friends on the  Facebook and other internet portals/sites. TOGETHER we can bring about the CHANGE in Goa. Cheers!!!

The 19th December Pledge

As I write this Blog, on the evening of 19th December 2009 the 48th Liberation Day of my beloved land Goa, my thoughts go down the memory lane to my childhood days. I was only two years old when Goa got its liberation from the colonial rule of the Portuguese (who ruled us for more than 450 years). Except for the stories told to me by my parents, there is hardly anything I know (personally) of this great day.


Most of my childhood friends were simple people, and life was very beautiful! The whole of Goa was more of a "big village with easy going people". Since that time, Goa has come a long way. In the last 48 years, Goa has made a lot of progress in the fields of Education, Health, Electricity, Tourism and Pharma industry. Thanks to all these, the per capita income of Goa is the highest in India. We also have the lowest birth rate and the lowest infant mortality  in the country.


Since liberation, our infrastructure has also improved a lot compared to what it was during my younger days. Today, the roads, electricity and telephones with STD facilities have reached every village of Goa, and the quality of these facilities is improving with every passing day. I am sure our late Freedom Fighters would have been very happy at these developments. 


On the other hand, there are a few issues that needs our urgent attention. The two major areas of concern are- 1. The deteriorating law and order situation in Goa,  2. The "zero priority" that is being given for the development of Agriculture in Goa and 3. The continued exploitation of our fragile Ecology by the greedy real estate and mining lobbies in Goa. In my opinion these three issues have to be addressed immediately and efficiently. 


If we wish to have a "safer and a greener Goa with a better infrastructure", we have to remain focussed on this dream... a cherished dream of most Goans. In order to achieve this goal, there has to be 1. A "zero tolerance" for criminal activities in Goa, 2. Scientific revival  of agriculture in Goa, and 3. Stricter laws to control the ecological exploitation of Goa. 


A few days ago, our Tourism Minister alleged that Goa has become the 'Rape Capital of India".  Some politicians and a section of the local media did not agree with him. Our Tourism minister might have exaggerated a bit, but there is a lot of truth in his statement. I personally know a couple of my foreigner patients, who were molested and robbed between 8 pm to 10 pm when they were walking along the beaches of South Goa. Most of them chose not to file any police complains because of the bad experiences their friends encountered at the Police Stations in Goa. 


In my opinion, for a famous tourism destination like Goa, 8 to 10 pm is certainly not "late hours" by any standard. Why should tourists come to Goa when they already many options of cheaper and safer destinations? If we wish to have more tourists and improve the quality of tourism in Goa, we got to improve on the existing law and order situation. Our government has to show greater urgency and better commitment to address this issue.


According to me, there are two "primary reasons" for the declining law and order situation in Goa. And sadly, they are both interrelated. The two reasons are as follows:-
1. Anti- social elements getting into the main stream Political Parties of Goa.
2. Corruption and political interference in the functioning of Police Department of Goa.
The way the things are going on in Goa, it looks like our Police and Politicians are guarding the selfish interests of each other.


Recently I came across a 'letter to the Editor' (Herald 19/12/09) that read... "Criminal activities such as robberies, dacoities, goondaism, drugs, gambling, rapes, murders, pelting of stones at houses, exploding bombs, etc are on the rise. If anyone approaches the police department to file complaints, they are not registering them and conducting investigations properly. The accused or suspects go scot-free due to manipulations".


As I personally know of a couple of cases where the law abiding citizens got a "raw deal" from the Police Department of Goa, I fully agree with the contents of the above letter. It is a fact that, most of our Police officers in Goa, "joyfully" allow the local politicians to literally run their department through the back door. Money and muscle power has begun to rule Goa. It is time we call a spade, a spade; and address this issue urgently.


The writer of the above mentioned letter made a noteworthy suggestion- "The Government needs to come with a strict legislation to tackle the errant police personnel and get proper justice".  Sometime ago, I had the opportunity of reading an interesting line in another local newspaper... "How can our government bring about good legislations when nearly 50% of our existing MLAs have been "law breakers" in the past?". And that is a very good observation. The quality of our local MLAs has surely declined over the years. Money and muscle power has begun to control politics in Goa.


I believe, the quality of 'governance' depends on the quality of the political leaders of that State. If we want to see a better quality of law and order situation in Goa, we need to elect better quality MLAs... leaders of integrity and strong convictions. Fortunately. Goa is not in Pafistan. It is in India, where the Election System has surely  evolved, and it is at par with any of the developed country in the West and America. It is no more easy for a corrupt politician to rig or manipulate an election in Goa. 


Taking the above facts into consideration, I firmly believe that, it is possible for us, the people of Goa to elect "better quality leaders" to govern our State. As a tribute to our freedom fighters, and as an "act of accountability" towards the future generations of Goa, let us take a personal pledge today, the 19th of December 2009... 
" I solemnly pledge to work towards electing better quality MLAs by saying no to the money that may be offered to me (by the corrupt candidates) during the next elections. I do not want an anti-social element as my MLAs. I will educate others, and work towards electing political leader who will work towards restoring good law and order situation in Goa".


It is a Pledge we got to take... we got to take it for the sake of Goa, for the future of our children, and for the sake of our self-pride and dignity. We cannot allow anybody to take us for granted anymore. It is our birthright "To have a safer and a greener Goa with a better infrastructure". If our existing leaders don't get this message, let us not hesitate to dump them in the 'dustbin of history'.


Cheers to Goa, and cheers to you my friend!