On 26th November 2009, at a function organized by Margao Nagrik Samiti, Goa's honorable Chief Minister Digamber Kamat said- "If Goa has to move ahead and develop in all spheres of activity, there has to be a consensus and unanimity amongst the political leaders on burning issues affecting Goa. Let us come together to ensure the State and its people prosper. There should not be opposition for the sake of opposition".
Noble words, and 'nobler' intentions Mr Chief Minister. I am in total agreement with you Sir ; but when will this "consensus and unanimity" be arrived at? And why should only the political leaders decide the future of Goa? And that too at a time when most of you, the existing political leaders have lost the credibility in the eyes of your citizens. Yes, "consensus and unanimity" has to be arrived at; but it has to be the "consensus and unanimity" that we the people of Goa want for our land and community. It is NOT necessarily what you and your political colleagues have in mind for us.
Fortunately or unfortunately, many Goans know me as the so called 'famous dentist in Goa'. It is only a few who know that I was also actively involved in a 'silent' movement called "Goa First", four years ago. And if at all you did not know about my 'silent' social activism, it is only because the local media gives greater publicity for people who do less work and more noise in the public. I am convinced proactive social activism has more to do with 'finding solutions', and less with pointing out at 'problems'.
It was during my "Goa First" days that I had the opportunity of meeting nearly two thousand Goans in small groups and on one-to-one basis. They were people from different parts of Goa and from varied cross sections of the society. Surprisingly, although these people belonged to different casts, religions, social backgrounds and political affiliations, 65% of them were very clear on what they wanted for their beloved Goa. They had a 'similar dream' for Goa... They wanted a "Safer and greener Goa with a better infrastructure".
It was during my "Goa First" days that I had the opportunity of meeting nearly two thousand Goans in small groups and on one-to-one basis. They were people from different parts of Goa and from varied cross sections of the society. Surprisingly, although these people belonged to different casts, religions, social backgrounds and political affiliations, 65% of them were very clear on what they wanted for their beloved Goa. They had a 'similar dream' for Goa... They wanted a "Safer and greener Goa with a better infrastructure".
The remaining 35% of the people I met during my "Goa First" days were either 'indifferent' to the happenings in Goa (almost given up on Goa, or too busy with their own lives), or seemed to have their own self centered agenda for Goa. Surprisingly, most of the people in the later category were village level political leaders, real estate developers and people associated with certain NGOs in Goa. It was during that time I realized that many of our so called "Goans of ancestral origin" are actually
"Anti-Goans" in disguise. And in my opinion, they are the real enemies of Goa... a lot more worse than our front line political leaders.
"Anti-Goans" in disguise. And in my opinion, they are the real enemies of Goa... a lot more worse than our front line political leaders.
However, almost all the people I spoke to were 'unanimous' on certain issues. Most of them wanted only non- polluting Industries (new ones) which have the potential to employ the local youth of Goa should be set up in our State. Nearly 90% of the people I spoke to were 'dead against' more migrants settling down in Goa; either through the encouragement of migrant vote bank politics or/and on account of 'wrong' industries (those which employ only migrants) being set up in Goa
From the above information, it is clear that atleast 65% of the people in Goa have already arrived at a "consensus and unanimity"on 80% of the issues confronting Goa. All that our political leaders need to do, is to take the necessary steps to BEGIN implementing the 'agenda of the people, for the people' at the earliest. Now when 65% of Goans are already clear on what they want for Goa, and what they do not want for our land, I do not understand why our "all knowing" leaders should find it difficult to arrive at a "consensus and unanimity"on the issues confronting our beautiful Goa!
From the above discussion it should be very clear that 90% of our political leaders are actually NOT interested in arriving at a "consensus and unanimity"on the issues that are troubling Goa. On the contrary, they want to keep these issues 'burning and alive' for their self centered political agenda. They want to use these issues to divide and rule its citizenry; as they have always done in the past.
In my opinion, just as many of our citizens are "politically illiterate"people, our Goan politicians are probably the most self centered leaders in India. It looks like they are the ONLY political leaders in India who are actually working against the intersts of its citizenry. Most of them neither seem to have a good intentions, nor a fixed political ideology to guide their political sevice. In the past, many of these 'shameless' leaders have changed their Parties like they have changed their clothes. We can still recollect that a few years ago, almost the whole lot of ruling Congress MLAs crossed over to rival opposition BJP; and returned back to the Congress at a later date when it was convenient to them.
In my opinion, just as many of our citizens are "politically illiterate"people, our Goan politicians are probably the most self centered leaders in India. It looks like they are the ONLY political leaders in India who are actually working against the intersts of its citizenry. Most of them neither seem to have a good intentions, nor a fixed political ideology to guide their political sevice. In the past, many of these 'shameless' leaders have changed their Parties like they have changed their clothes. We can still recollect that a few years ago, almost the whole lot of ruling Congress MLAs crossed over to rival opposition BJP; and returned back to the Congress at a later date when it was convenient to them.
With their 'unlimited greed' and love for short term gains, our Political leaders have literally destroyed our beautiful State. Sadly, despite these well known facts, we the "politically irresponsible" citizens of Goa, keep on reelecting them, since the last many years. In the past, most of us in Goa 'grudgingly' accepted all the 'political garbage' that was pushed down our throats. Fortunately, things have begun to change a bit lately. It has now reached a stage where many of us have started "reacting" in different ways. Many Goans have already become very vocal and are now taking up to streets to voice our frustrations.
Honestly, I too have begun to feel "choked" with all that is going on in Goa. And as mentioned in my earlier Blogs I am not prepared to accept any more nonsense from anybody. I am writing this Blog not to entertain the readers, but to share with you some of the lessons I learnt during the last seven years of my "silent, but very focussed" social activism. And through this Blog I sincerely hope to inspire a few "Concerned citizens" to become "Proactive citizens"of Goa. In my opinion, it is the greatest need of the hour.
Now between the time I had stopped writing the newspaper Column "Goa of my dreams" and restarting the same column as a Blog (which you are reading)... a gap of nearly seven years, a lot has already happened in my personal and professional life. Realizing the plight of many poor patients, I started a Community Dental Project which continues to provide free and subsidised cost dental treatment for the poor. As mentioned earlier, I was also inspired to start "Goa First"... a silent effort to "listen" to the views and opinions of fellow Goan citizens.
Through the above mentioned initiatives, I had the opportunity to meet nearly five thousand Goans in the last seven years, on a one-to-one basis. Althogh it cost me a lot of my time and money, the effort was well worth it. The people I spoke to shared with me their problems and their dreams; and their ideas for a better and safer Goa.
In this Blog, more than my views, I will be sharing with you the opinions and feelings of many Goans I met in the last seven years. The lessons I learnt by listening to these people was a "Life Changing Experience". And I know I will never be the same again. It was an experience that is surely driving me to ACT more decisively in the days to come. Perhaps Martin Luther King Jr was right when he said- "Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way".
Through the above mentioned initiatives, I had the opportunity to meet nearly five thousand Goans in the last seven years, on a one-to-one basis. Althogh it cost me a lot of my time and money, the effort was well worth it. The people I spoke to shared with me their problems and their dreams; and their ideas for a better and safer Goa.
In this Blog, more than my views, I will be sharing with you the opinions and feelings of many Goans I met in the last seven years. The lessons I learnt by listening to these people was a "Life Changing Experience". And I know I will never be the same again. It was an experience that is surely driving me to ACT more decisively in the days to come. Perhaps Martin Luther King Jr was right when he said- "Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way".
Our political leaders have got to get their acts together, for their own good and the good of Goa. We the people of Goa are angry with their ways... ways which are not only destroying Goa, but also the future of our children. They have got to listen to us, and serve us the way we want to be served. And if they are not willing to serve us on our terms, we will ensure they are no more our leaders.
Perhaps, they should seriously listen to what Sper who had once said... "Controlling other people's lives is not a leaders trait; It is serving other people's needs that God considers great".
You will have more of my views and news in my next Blog, next saturday. And until then cheers to all you guys who love Goa. Cheers!
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