Goa’s Democratic Opportunity

Goa’s Democratic Opportunity 

One of the biggest privileges given to us by India’s founding founders was freedom of speech and Democracy. However are Indians and Goans in particular using it or wasting it ?

Today in Goa for instance, we are clearly aware of the Massive loot of our mining resources to the tune of thousands of crores of Rupees, huge theft of our taxes via corruption, horrific pollution of our air/waters, large scale destruction of our environment, ecology and thousands of trees for unwanted/unjustified projects; that benefit only the political class and their financial backers.  The list goes gone on and on !

Most Goans are just interested only in just Football, Bootlicking pathetic/ineffective/Corrupt Politicians, Singing tunes of their favorite political party’s, Social Events,  Dances, Nightclubs and applying for Portuguese passports ; I appreciate some do for economic reasons but I know many who actually do not need to do so! 

There are people in many parts of the world who dream of freedom, free speech and democracy. And here we are just taking it for Granted.  It’s a minuscule minority of people in Goa who are genuine activists and fighting a thankless battle against powerful & corrupt forces. There are also, to acknowledge few non resident Goans also speaking out and doing their bit even; even if it is just a little.  Where are the rest of the overwhelming majority of Resident and Non Resident Goans?  Are they so complacent that they could not even contribute in a small manner of action or even speech? Are they scared of offending people so as to ensure that they are always in good books of the rogue Anti Goa Forces and hopefully get their personal work or business done ? Or maybe it’s just cowardice! Many of these people will spend their energy fighting against their own family members for property, money and other benefits but will have no spine when it really matters. We can can even see this inaction in which Goans generally continue to vote for failed/corrupt politicians! 

What use is Democracy if we do not contribute, speak up and hold our politicians/ public servants Accountable ! Many could get a PHD in being the state of affairs of the state and its politics but what’s the use of all this if we do not put it to some use of even some minimum  speech or action.  

I think we Goans don’t not actually deserve all the freedom and powers that democracy has given us. It is better that we are Governed by Dictatorship! Needless to say this does not only apply to Goans but also Indians at large ( Resident and Non Resident ) 

Arwin Mesquita, Colva.