Goa Youth Awakening

A few days ago, a group of six college students from Stockholm, Sweden came to Benaulim, Goa. They are on a mission to create awareness about issues concerning the environment and democracy in Goa. Guided by our young local environmentalist Mr Clinton Vaz, these youngsters are assisted by a couple of students from Chowgule College, Margao. This group of vibrant youngsters also want to develop a prototype for 'sustainable' waste disposal system for some areas of Benaulim.. 


Talking to the local media, one of the Swedish students said... "We want to encourage the local people to use their democratic rights and make their voices heard. We want them to push their local political leaders in the RIGHT direction".  These young foreigners have probably come to a conclusion, that most of our present day political leaders of Goa are indeed forcing a "wrongly directed" development on Goa. And I think they are 100% correct in this regard.


It is a great shame, that instead of we the people of Goa forcing our leaders to do the right things for Goa, it is the Swedish students who have taken up the responsibility of pushing our local political leaders in the "RIGHT direction". These youngsters are demonstrating to us what Proactve Citizenry can do for its community. But how far will our young foreigner friends succeed in their socio-political mission, is a million dollar question that will remain unanswered, at least for the time being.


Our young Swedish visitors and their Goan friends, have certainly lit the flame of "Youth Proactivism" in Goa. We have got to learn from them, and join them in telling our political leaders what we really want for Goa. We have to become the"Proactive citizens" of Goa. As I mentioned in my last blog, Goa needs to have at least 10% of its population as Proactive citizens. 


The "Proactivism process" has to start now, and it has to start with you and me. It is only when we have sufficient numbers on our side, will our political leaders listen to our voice.  


Commenting on my last Blog, one of my friends wrote... "Pro-active is the way forward, there is always someone who has a good idea but is unable to put it into action (for lots of reasons being physically unable or monetarily or some other reason). But if this idea is shared (as in Facebook or other group discussion or forum) it can go a long way. Getting together with like-minded people usually gets results". 


Yes. If we truly love our motherland, we can be "Proactive Citizens" in 101 ways. Helen Keller had once said... "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will NOT refuse to do the something that I can do."


Seven years ago I was inspired by these very words to do something for my community. I started  a small, self-financed Community Project to help the poor. This Project provides free and subsidized cost dental treatment for the poor at my clinic. Many financially poor patients have already benefited from it. As a person who likes to "walk my talk", helping the poor citizens of my community is "the least" I could do for  Goa. There is nothing to boast about it!


I believe, "giving back to the society" is an obligation each one of us has towards our land and community. All of us have to do this social pro-activism in our own little way... by choosing the path that suites us the best. I know I have the abilities and capabilities to do a lot more for my community; and I want to do that in the near future. I believe every "capable Goan" is also capable of doing his/her bit for Goa if he/she has the "inner desire" to do so.


In my opinion the future of Goa certainly belongs to the youth. Therefore, our youngsters should be encouraged to take up greater responsibilities in planning, and in solving the various issues that are confronting Goa. It was the famous thinker John Gardner who had rightly said it... “Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants.” And I agree with him!


I am convinced that the habit of "Social Pro-activism" should be developed at a young age. And in this regard, I have great faith in the abilities and capabilities of our Goan youth. I believe it is not our present day political leaders, but the youth of Goa who are the "real power" to transform Goa into a "safer and better place". I take this opportunity to call upon the youth of Goa, to rise to the occasion, and accept this challenge to transforming Goa... into a Goa  we can all be proud of! 


As the future of Goa belongs to the youth, I think it is the right and duty of every Goan youth to "design" the Goa of their dreams.  They should not leave this important decision of their future in the hands of our greedy, indifferent politicians. They got to have their say and therefore take a decision to become "Proactive citizens" of Goa today. 


So go ahead you young guys and gals... dare to dream BIG dreams, for yourself and for your beautiful Goa. You have my prayers, and will certainly have my active support as and when you need me.  Cheers to you, and cheers to  "Goa of our dreams"! 

Be a Proactive Citizen

A New Goa has already emerged. And the new Goa is a  cosmopolitan State... a place where people of different religions, cultures and ancestral backgrounds are learning to live together as "one community". This is an 'irreversible fact' which nobody can change today. The people of "non-Goan ancestory" are here to stay. Besides there have been so many inter-community marriages, that there is no point in referring to them as "outsiders".


In my last Blog, I had suggested that henceforth we should STOP categorizing the "legitimate citizens" of Goa as Goans and non Goans. It is time we realize that in a global economy people keep moving from one place to another as per demand and supply for labour. Just as many of our so called "original Goans" have moved out of Goa and settled in other places, people of other ancestral backgrounds have moved into Goa to fill in the vacancies. 


Fortunately, most of the people living in today's Goa, continue to live in harmony. It is very much in line with the traditional feature of "Goan Identity"..."peaceful coexistence and tolerance towards the cultures of other communities". However, we cannot afford to take the survival of this "peaceful coexistence" for granted. We have got to work at it. It is the duty of every citizen of Goa to ensure that, "peaceful coexistence" remains undisturbed for the generations to come. 


The boom in tourism, higher land prices and endless greed for money, has already begun to put an adverse pressure on Goa's traditional "peaceful coexistence". A dangerous category of people whom many call as "anti-Goans" has already emerged in Goa. These ruthless thugs who have already done a considerable damage to Goa, are now plundering Goa. Probably, they are attempting to finish Goa's unique identity with their irresponsible behavior. We cannot allow such people to win.


Sadly, most of the "Anti Goans" are our own disgraceful people... the so called  blue blooded Goans of ancestral origin. And being our own people, it is a great challenge  to deal with them effectively. Self-respecting Goans are therefore left with no choice but to become "Proactive citizens" immediately. We have to become a part of the solution, rather than a part of the problem. As Goeth had rightly said-"Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do".  


Like most other place on earth, Goa is also blessed with many "Lukewarm citizens"- people who love Goa, but are almost indifferent to the happenings in their motherland. I guess, a vast majority of we Goans (more than 60%) fall in this category. Besides "discussing" the problems facing Goa in local Bars and at social gatherings, these Goans hardly do anything concrete to solve the problems confronting our community. On the contrary, many of them act like crabs...constantly 'pulling down' others who are at least 'doing something" for the upliftment of their community. 


In my opinion, about 30% of Goans would fall in the category of "Concerned Goans"- people who are seriously concerned about Goa, its land and community. These Goans take active part in the various local movements. Gram Sabhas and agitations to safeguard the interests of their community . Many of these people write letters to the editors of local news papers, act in local dramas and compose songs on various issues concerning Goa. Many of our "Concerned Goans" working/settled abroad participate in International Goan Conventions and seminars to discuss the issues facing Goan community. 


Fortunately, there is a small number of Goans (less than 1%) whom I would like to refer as "Proactive Goans" that also exists in our community. Most of these "Proactive Goans"(like our freedom fighters and credit worthy social activists) are doing a great job for Goa... with their selfless service to our community . Surprisingly many of the so called "non-Goans" settled in Goa are doing a fabulous job for our land. What Goa really needs today is more of such people. My hats-off to you guys... I'll be the last person to refer you as an "outsider".


The "Proactive citizens" of Goa seem to be resolved and determined to see a 'safer and better Goa'. I am convinced, that, if only 10% of the local residents of Goa and 10% of Goans (settled in different parts of the world) could graduate from being a "Concerned Goan" into a "Proactive Goan" (by devoting at least 10% of their time and resources to work for their motherland "selflessly"), Goa can be restored to its true glory. I believe a "safer and better Goa" is a dream of everybody!

I firmly believe, that the above mentioned 10% committed and Proactive citizens can surely give a tough fight to the "Anti Goan" forces in Goa. It is a war that can be won, and a war that must be won for Goa... not only for the safety of our children and elderly parents; but also for the sake of our beautiful land. Goa certainly deserves a better deal. I am so convinced about this fact, that I have decided to graduate from being a "Concerned Goan" into a "Proactive Goan"... a Goan who will actively work to make Goa a "safer and better place" in the days to come. 

And if you are not too sure of what a few committed, "Proactive citizens" can do for their land and community, please read what Margaret Mead had to say ... "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Goa is too small a place. I believe a few of us can surely make a big difference! 

Cheers to Goa and long live "Goan Identity of peaceful coexistence".  

STOP "Anti-Goan" activities immediately...

In my first blog "Goa of my dreams... The proud Goan identity" I defined "Goan Identity" as a "sense of BELONGING to our ancestral land and community". I also explained that "konkani" (our mother tongue) is only a means of communication between the people of our community and nothing more. 


In the last blog, I also emphesied that it is our ancestral land (Goa) and the local community are the most important components of our "Goan identity". I also said that, that, if we continue to sell our ancestral land to others, and remain "indifferent" to the burning needs of our local community, a day may come when Goa will loose its beautiful "Goan Identity". And I am not prepared to accept such a possibility anymore.

Now, why is "Goan Identity" so important to me? For sure, it is not for any narrow minded, communal or  sentimental reasons. I am proud of my "Goan Identity" only because it is based on the principals of "peaceful coexistence and tolerance towards the cultures of other communities". Our broadminded "Goan Identity is so beautiful,that we Goans are acknowledged as "peace and fun loving" people. We Goans  know to live in harmony, and can adjust in any part of the world. It is for this reason, Goans are 'loved' and welcomed to work/live in all parts of the globe.  

I am also proud of my "Goan Identity" because it has a long history of "high resilience and survival". Although Portuguese and other  foreign invaders ruled us for over 500 years, divided our Goan community into Hindus, catholics and muslims, they could not destroy our "Goan Identity". On the contrary, many of these foreigners embraced our "Goan Identity" and fell in love with it. Many of them got married to our local people and chose to live in our midst. Even the greatest saint of the catholic church, St. Francis Xavier willed that, his body remains in Goa after his death. And his non-perishable body is there with us till today!

My "Goan Identity" also has a 'longer' history of "Community Centered  and Eco-friendly Living". Hundreds of years ago, my forefathers developed Asia's first Community Centered  and Eco-friendly Living Project called the "Gaunkari system"... a socio-economic- agricultural system that took great care of our land and the needs of our community. Our former Portuguese rulers loved that system so much, that they supported it, helped our forefathers to reorganize it and rechristiened  it as "Communidade".

With this brief history of "Goan Identity", it should be obvious to you why I am so proud of my "Goan Identity". It should also be clear to you, that no "well informed Goan" can be against any non-Goan living in our land "legitimately". On the contrary, there have been so many inter-community marriages in the past, that 80% of todays Goans (like me) feel, that the very idea of distinguishing the local people (living in Goa) as "Goans and non-Goans" is irrelevant, and has to be dumped into the dustbin of history. 


However, there is a slight shift in present Goa's 'ground reality'. Although Goa  got liberated in the year 1961, I am convinced that we Goans are not really "liberated". The post-liberation era has produced a new category of "invaders"... the ruthless thugs and plunderers of Goa, rightly referred to  as "Anti-Goans" by many. Sadly, most of these "anti-Goans" are our own people, the so called shameful, blue blooded Goans. They have already done a considerable damage to Goa, and are attempting to 'finish' our identity with their greed and irresponsible behaviour.


I want to write it very clearly, and in bold letters... I am against "Anti- Goans", and I am not prepared to take their 'nonsense' anymore. On behalf of every "Self-respecting Goan", and on behalf of my worthy ancestors, I declare a War on these evil, Anti-Goan forces. They have no right to destroy Goa and work against the interests of our community. And if they think they have a right to abuse Goa, my self-pride commands me to act accordingly and do the needful! 


As 'part one' of my action plan, I will be using this blog to create the necessary "awareness" among the well wishers of Goa and Goans. I will be writing on various issues that are disturbing me and many other Goans (living in Goa and across the globe). As I wish to ACT on these issues in the near future, I am looking forward to your "active participation" by way of comments and suggestions. I want to listen to your heart very attentively! 

And as you wait for my next blog (which I will be uploading every Saturday), let us together say "Cheers to Goa and Goan Identity". Cheers!

The proud "Goan Identity"

I resume writing this column (in the form of a Blog) after a gap of nearly seven years. And I consider it  a great pleasure to be back at it again. I will be attempting to write this blog once in a week, and upload the same every Saturday.

Honestly, Goa did not mean much to me until I was eighteen. My love affair with Goa started when I was studying at Govt. Dental College, Hyderabad. Having been born and brought up in Goa, being away from my family and friends I had grown up with, was simply too much for me. I began to miss my beloved Goa and Goans like mad. Probably the famous old saying "absence makes your love grow fonder" began to have its effect on me.

There are many places in the world that are a lot more beautiful than Goa. I don't know why, but for me, Goa is the best; and I love it very dearly. There is something about Goa which touches the hearts of everybody. And once you are touched by this 'magic of Goa',  you can never be the same again... you are permanently in love with Goa.

I am sure it is the same 'magic of Goa" that attracted the famous 'Hippies' to Goa in the early 70s. They loved Goa and Goans very dearly, and went out of their way to introduce Goa to their friends in the West. And thanks to their word of mouth publicity, Goa began to attracts tourists from the world over. And today, it is acknowledged as one of the most preferred  destination for tourism.

I am convinced, Goa has a unique identity which makes it different from others. Before I go any further, I wish to clarify that I am a  very broadminded person, and that I have a clearly defined "plural identity". I am proud to be an Indian, just as much as I am proud to be a Goan. My two identities co-exist, and complement one another. I will not do anything that will 'hurt' either of these two identities. 

A few years ago, a well known south Goa Cardiologist and social activist asked me if there is anything called "Goan Identity"? I told him that "Goan Identity" is very much there. However, it is something that cannot be described in words. It is something very sacred, and can be only "felt" only by the hearts and souls of people who love Goa (its land and community) very genuinely. 

I explained to the honorable doctor that "Goan Identity" is something very deep. Our identity is a lot more than our language, food and culture. I told him our identity is ROOTED in the legacy of love and 'reverence' our ancestors had for our land and community. I reminded him that many of our forefathers sacrificed their lives and careers for the sake of our identity. 

The way Goa is sold and abused, I am not too sure how many of us, the so called 'Goans' of today can honestly claim to have a "Goan Identity". I am convinced, it is only those  present day Goans, who continue to take care of their land and work for the genuine development of their community can claim to have a true "Goan Identity.  It is time every self respecting Goan wakes up to this reality!

A few years ago, I was invited for a closed door meeting to discuss the issue of "Devnagri v/s Roman Konkani Script Issue". Many distinguished VIPs of Goa were present for that meeting. And surprisingly, almost all of them said that "Konkani language is "Goan Identity" . I seemed to be the odd man out when I told them that, 'Konkani' is only a "means of communication" between the various members of our Goan Community. 

I went on to tell the above gathering that Goan Identity should be seen and defined as a "sense of pride in belonging to our ancestral land and community". I told them, that if we continue to loose our ancestral land  to others, and remain indifferent to the needs of our community, a day will come when Goans will loose their "Goan Identity". And I do not want that to happen! 

Many people tell me Goa has gone to dogs. And I agree with them. Yes, even dogs have a 'self pride' of their own. They will jump and attack you, if you act funny with them. I am not a dog. And I have great pride in my "Goan Identity".

I did work for the cause of "Goan Identity" in the past, on a limited basis. The compulsions of a busy dental practice had tied my hands in the past. I have decided to break free. Today I want to devote more time for this cause, and work for it passionately. And even if I am the only one, I am prepare to make the necessary sacrifices, and pay the price for it.

I will tell you more of this in my next Blog, next Saturday. And in the mean time, join me in saying "Cheers to Goa and Goan Identity". Cheers!