Saving Goa’s Prized Identity will be a lesson to world

GOA, one of India’s most beautiful states is a major tourist attraction due to its natural beauty, beaches & most importantly its prized identity; a blend of east & west. Goan Identity today has the best of both worlds’ i.e. strong values/links from the Indian Subcontinent, coupled with a distinct western flair. My plea to the Indian/Goa Government is to preserve our precious jewel, because the way things are going, Goa’s Identity will be soon eliminated and will be clear case of “killing the goose that lays the golden egg”

Recent ratings by some national bodies stating Goa as one of the India’s best states, is surprising!! Actually, Goa is India’s most corrupt states. National & Local politicians loot Goa at will i.e. rampant illegal conversion of Agricultural land to satisfy greed for huge apartment complexes, mostly for non-locals and passed even after violating laws; merciless hill cutting; destruction of forests; illegal mining; displacement of locals; pollution of fields; water contamination; destruction of sand dunes on beaches; major Coastal violations by wealthy builders; Malaria; Major Garbage issue; Scarce Water/Electricity etc. Social activists fight a difficult battle against so many illegalities & are intimidated by false police cases filed under political pressures, constant delaying tactics by Quasi-Judicial Government bodies which are influenced by Corrupt Politicians, wealthy mining & building lobbies etc. Also, the Complex Judiciary system & its timeframes are not helping Goa. Builders hold impressive real estate exhibitions in other Indian States & Overseas; Prospective buyers must understand that they are actually helping destructive elements destroy our beautiful state!! Most politicians are only interested in amassing as much wealth as possible, to secure their political future at the cost of Goa and are now making Goa’s Politics, a “family business”. The Government under pressure, is contemplating ban on agricultural land sales to outsiders; which is an eyewash, as not only agricultural land is and can be illegally converted, but also the critical issue of preserving scarce land for Goans is not met!!
The rapid rate of land sales to Wealthy Non-Goans will soon mean that many Goan future generations will not be able to get land for themselves; leave alone afford it!! Goa’s 1961 liberation is now being questioned, as whether it was liberation of Goa from the Portugeese or from the Goans. Yes, Goans are Indians but surely India is not one but a rich mosaic of so many cultures & identities, and Goans want to preserve their part of the mosaic. India is a great country based on UNITY IN DIVERSITY; as also highlighted in our National Anthem; that’s why (1) There are many states (2) Hindi is official but each state has its local language (3) Each state has its own distinct culture & identity. We need an urgent peaceful dialogue to save Goa’s identity & culture, which is being eroded today: The Goa Government is reluctant in formulating a policy, to ensure right employment opportunities for Goans vs. the educational output and hence many Goans migrate from Goa; Huge Mega Apartment Complexes coming up change local demographics, destroying landscapes & pollute the environment; Migrants Vote-Banks are encouraged by politicians and in many constituencies, democracy is clearly manipulated; Voter cards are given to migrants without nullifying their voting rights in their home states & worse, false details are put on their voter cards e.g. House No. etc.
Critics say that Identity Erosion is the result of Globalisation; to which I ask (A) Do we follow the herd mentality or we adopt a think global act local approach (B) Aren’t countries at the forefront of Globalisation enacting measures to protect local identities e.g. Western Countries continuously improvising already strict immigration norms, mandatory knowledge of local language, history, identity & culture. In India, most states can maintain their unique identities because of their big size & population. Each state has limits to sale of land sales & intake of migrants (today minimum 40% of Goa’s population). Unlike other states, Small Goa has way crossed the tolerance limits & now needs safeguards. Critics conveniently use the Indian Constitution excuse to subdue Goa’s genuine concerns; of course most of them i.e. Politicians, Builders, Bureaucrats & Wealthy Outsiders make huge monetary gains on the destruction of Goan Identity. Charity begins at home i.e. by preserving & having a world class state with a unique identity; Goans can be even better Indians. Critics also use the Capitalistic excuse to justify land sales to the highest bidders (mostly from outside Goa) but ignore the fact that Capitalism can’t take precedence over the society’s overall interests. For instance, aren’t there Government controls on basic food essentials; what if these were at the mercy of capitalism? Goans have the right of priority to live in decent clean, disease free environment with stable infrastructure, reduced contamination levels, sense of identity, maintaining livelihoods etc. Current land sales rate will make Goans irrelevant & no community will accept the same for themselves. Many with illegitimate wealth, invest in Goa’s Properties; should Goans suffer because they generally don’t have this illegitimate wealth?
Goa’s officially spoken language i.e. Konkani is gradually being by replaced by other Languages. Those quoting the Indian Constitution must appreciate key facts i.e. (1) India annexed Goa much later on a military action and as such Goa was not actually part of the constituent assembly, that framed the Constitution, (2) Goans were never given a say in the future of their state and (3) There are provisions in the Constitution i.e. Article 19(d) put in by India’s visionary founding fathers, to protect local state identities. I believe Goans, as all other Indians have a right to protect their respective local identities, culture & language. I think there the world is a very interesting place with so many cultures/identities. Why for example are many fascinated with Rome & Paris? Identity forms the Value Systems of individuals/communities. Do we prefer being “something to everybody” or “nothing to nobody”? Like Goan Identity, many identities across the world are at risk; should India succeed in safeguarding Goa & its identity, it could be a lesson to other threatened identities in India & the World. Goans are peace loving people who are proud of beings Indians but whilst preserving their identity. We are not against anyone & respect all, but at the same time request Non-Goans to respect our genuine right to Identity. I would like to end with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi “I will open the doors and windows of my house and allow the winds of different parts of the world to flow through it. But I will not be swept off my feet” Kindly spread this article as far & wide as you can

ARWIN MESQUITA – (ABU DHABI)

Goa’s Lok Sabha Opportunity

The upcoming Lok Sabha Elections is a very good time for Goans, to start turning the heat on politicians to protect Goa; land, demographics & prized identity. Goans, starting from the Grass Root Level/Gram Sabhas, should put the respective demands to the Lok Sabha Candidates. The demands should cover (1) Special Status to stop our scarce land sales to Non-Goans, (2) Migrant Controls, (3) Task force to look at sustainable employment for Goans, (4) Allow only necessary Housing projects favouring Goans, (5) High Taxes/Charges on Non-Goans owning apartments to discourage their purchases, (6) Use Article 19-D in the constitution; which has provisions to protect local state identities etc. Of course, the politicians will come out with every excuse in the book, of what cannot be done for Goa... LET US SHOW THEM OF WHAT REALLY CAN BE DONE!!

Arwin Mesquita (UAE)

Goan Political Revolution

It really amazes me to see that South Goa is a strong hold, of the so called "Secular" Congress Party. Are we fools to strongly support a party, which is working overtime to destroy Goa & Its Identity? We are and have been taken for granted for a long time; of course I do not need to state the facts. The common excuse is where is the alternative; to which, can I suggest a revolutionary approach to Goan Politics i.e. (1) Gram Sabhas elect candidates based on certain criteria's (2) Expectations from the candidate is made very clear by the Gram Sabha (3) The Elected Candidate cannot join any political party (4) Gram Sabhas make it very clear that Elected Candidate can be recalled, should he/she not deliver on expectations or join any political party (5) Gram Sabha candidates on common platforms can form a working alliance. The latter points will also reduce the need to make up election costs, by such elected MLA's; which will reduce corruption after the respective election. We need to start thinking differently and not go on old/current thought processes; anymore suggestions will be welcome. Arwin Mesquita (UAE)

GOA - WE CAN DO IT

I am inspired that Goans irrespective of Caste, Creed or Religion are slowly but surely coming together to save our beautiful land & its unique identity. In my opinion, the following obstacles need to be addressed urgently, by Resident & Non-Resident Goans:
(1) Awareness of how critical issues threatening Goa’s environment, ecology, land & its Prized Identity today, will seriously affect all Goans in the long run.(2) Increase Confidence amongst Goans that there is still Hope for Goa: Together, WE can make the change and make Goa a practical working example of conversion to a world class state with a unique identity; not only to other Indian States but also to other countries of the world.
(3) Many Goans appear blackmailed by the own illegalities & linked (many times helplessly) to the current corrupt system: PAST is PAST; let us not be handcuffed by what happened before... let’s change if possible, else let us just move forward!!
(4) False Prophets/NGO’s: Goa & Its Identity should be only overall vision that we should ultimately trust & follow. Let’s not be demoralised by selfish interests!!
(5) Corrupt Government & Wealthy Lobbies, wearing down activists by Police Cases, Intimidation, Delaying Tactics, Manipulation of reports etc. Together we can stop this domestic terrorism!!

Arwin Mesquita, UAE.

Stop Destructive Mining

It is very clear that mining is having very detrimental effect on Goa, Goans & its environment. The huge actual losses (including health risks, water contamination etc) are significantly higher than the small gains; mostly benefiting the privileged few!! “We should realise that negative impact of mining affects Goans in each & every part of Goa”. The Mining Lobby is now getting desperate with their false PR campaigns in the media/newspapers and now so called cowardly defamation suits, filed in far away states. I request all genuine movements fighting for Goa including Social & Religious (Hindu, Muslim & Christian) to be united under one force; bring out the true facts on mining and force our corrupt government to address this serious issue once & for all. Needless to say, many corrupt MLA’s are funded from the mining lobby to stay in power, so it is in Goa’s interests to cut-off this illegitimate support; which will help dethrone these destructive Anti-Goan MLA’s

Arwin

Thanks for Goa

On witnessing ground realities, I salute genuine activists in Goa, fighting against Mega-Projects, water/land contamination, destruction of fields/sand dunes on beaches/water bodies/wild life/hills/environment/ecology etc Thanks for selflessly fighting, to save our Beautiful Goa & its Prized Identity.

The activists refuse to be cowed down, intimidated by the Specific MLA’s/Police, Government, Panchayat & all other challenges. See my findings:
(1) Strategy is to frustrate activists & make them give up!! Vested interests tire down activists by constant delaying/intimidation tactics.
(2) False Police cases on most activists; why no action till date, if cases are genuine?
(3) Exception of some, majority corrupt panchas adopt delaying tactics for inspection etc to give time to the builders.
(4) Respective quasi-judicial government bodies constantly over-ride Gram Sabha resolutions, postpone dates, no show etc
(5) Government bodies supposed to uphold the law delay inspection certificates & many times manipulate the same
(6) CRZ norms constantly violated by Builders in collusion with Specific MLA's/Police, Where are the enforcement agencies to protect our beaches?
(7) Opposition from some misguided Goans, who I appeal to look at the big picture for Goa & Goans i.e. we can have a good today & bright tomorrow via right/sustainable development; let’s not destroy Goa for short term gains!! "We inherited this beautiful land & its identity, from our ancestors & are responsible for the same to our future generations"
(8) While many are concerned only with their careers, businesses, families etc these activists spend a lot of their personal time, money & incur a lot of sacrifice for the benefit of all Goans; including those working (directly or in-directly) against Goa.
(9) These activists are an inspiration & hope to us all; especially to those who think that nothing can be done to Save Goa.

Arwin Mesquita (UAE)

Opportunity or Tragedy - Goa

In Goa; the so called State of the States, we are aware of so many serious wrong doings in our respective areas; by specific politicians at state/municipal/panchayat level, specific mine owners, many mega-project builders & worse still, even few corrupt religious leaders, who abuse their highly respected positions & trust of their people, for selfish interests; and many of us blindly follow these specific religious leaders. The weakest people in the society are often the most exploited & suppressed, by such wrong doings.

But I think that the even bigger tragedy is that there are still so many Goans (both in Goa & Outside) who appear cold & unconcerned. One key reason is selfishness with the “perceived comfort” that the issues don’t affect them but these very people would surely act, if they themselves were threatened and would then expect others to support or sympathise with them!! The other reason is that many are handcuffed by their own illegalities, corruption, greed, vested interests & links with specific corrupt politicians.

Also, there are some Overseas Goans who are doing wonders for Goa, but there are many others who just have “an elated sense of a higher status” with their foreign countries citizenship/residence; they have forgotten about “where they came from” and the land of their birth/ancestors; surely they can give back something to help realize Goa’s true potential with their Global Best Practices, ideas, experiences, skills etc; and perhaps enable Goa to have much better living standards than in their overseas/adopted countries. To quote Norman Cousins “The Tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we live”

Arwin Mesquita, UAE.