The Goan (TG): You made political capital out of the emotive slogan Goem, Goemkar, Goemkarponn in the run up to the Assembly election. Now that everyone is talking about Goemkarponn, can you define it?
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Vijai Sardessai (VS): Let us admit one fact that we have brought Goemkarponn in public discourse. It is because of us that everyone is now taking of Goemkarponn. In the 5oth year of the historic Opinion poll, it is our endeavor that the government rededicate itself to the cause of Goemkarponn and take brand Goa forward.
Brand Goa is unique because Goa has a distinct identity by virtue of having a distinct natural and architectural heritage. Goemkarponn is centered around Konkanni Monis and his Monisponn. I believe that Goemkarponn is a sum total of our culture, architectural heritage and natural resources.
TG: Now that you are in the government, how do you intend to implement Goemkarponn. For instance, how would you implement Goemkarponn in the regional plan?
VS: When Goa has a distinct architectural heritage, I feel that heritage needs to be protected and conserved by way of incentivizing the use of Goan heritage by real estate developers and house owners. This may involve tightening of screws on the use of conservation and promotion of Goan villages. But, it will be our endeavor to protect and converse Goan villages and I intend to implement the same, beginning with my home constituency Fatorda.
TG: You are presiding over the reigns of the Town and Country Planning Ministry. In the recent past, people were opposed to mega housing project to save their Goemkarponn. How would you use the regional plan to protect Goemkarponn?
VS: There are many villages that reflect the essence of Goan architecture and we cannot allow glass houses to come there. I don’t want to speak in detail on RP since I have not touched the Regional plan yet. Yes, there’s opposition to mega housing projects. We need to protect our villages, but at the same time we cannot stop development. Unfortunately, the RP 2021 is behind by 16 years, leading to unplanned development. Unplanned development is leading to dilution of Goemkarponn as Goan villages are losing their character because of unplanned development and opposition for the cost of opposition.
TG: Would Goemkarponn mean studying in the local language? How would Goemparponn fit into the demand for English as the Medium of Instruction (MoI).
VS: Our Goa Forward Party which got us elected and speak of Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn clearly said that the freedom of the parents to choose the medium of instruction will be our guiding principle. But, we are also for promoting Konkani only. Whatever support is required to protect and preserve Konkani will be given to Konkani Bhashal Mandal and Dalgado Konkani Academy.
TG: Art and culture is perhaps the only area which reflects Goemkarponn, but it seems to have disappeared from other sectors. Why?
VS: We are for prioritising the interests of the sons of the soil. We feel that with skill education, sons of the soil should not migrate out. We should support the deserving educated sons of the soil to make Goa their place of the future. Even start ups, encouraged by the government is a process in that directions.
Yes, Goemkarponn is getting diluted and there’s less presence of locals in critical sectors such as tourism. We need to tighten the screws so that sons of the soil get a good deal.
TG: Xitt Kodi and Pao is the staple food of Goan people. So is rassa-omlette- and wadda pav. Since you and your government swear by Goemkarponn, do you have any plan to protect the staple diet of Goemkars?
VS: In the golden jubilee year of the historic Opinion Poll, I think the Opinion poll slogan amkam zai xitt-koddi, amkam naka bhajji puri cannot be erased from history. The Chief Minister has announced that the government will observe till February 16 next as the golden jubilee year of the historic Opinion Poll.
It will be may endeavor and the endeavor of the government to subside rice, fish, coconut and the Pao that is fast disappearing . How to get all these implemented, we will sit and discuss.
TG: Your decision to bring the BJP back to power evoked hostile reactions from citizens, who accused you for betrayal of the voters. How does this politics fit into your concept of Goemkarponn.
VS: Let me tell you I have not betrayed the voters. I had repeatedly said during the election campaign that it would be my endeavor to work towards the formation of a Goemkarwaddi Sarkar. It is a fact that I did not promise the people that I will support the BJP and neither did I promise to back the Congress. Those who now accuse me of betrayal maintained a stoic silence when the Congress president spoke of forming the government with the support of the MGP and Goa Suraksha Manch.
TG: You took everyone by surprise when you said no for a tie-up with the Congress. Instead, you got Manohar Parrikar resign as Defense Minister to return back to Goan politics. How does Manohar Parrikar fit into your Goemkarponn concept.
VS: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is a proud Goemkar. It’s a matter of pride that he was the country’s Defense Minister. He has been our very own who has reached that position and he can leverage his position for the good of the state. He has his roots in Goa. Like any other Goemkar, he likes Xitt koddi. Parrikar understands Goemkarponn. Yes, I have trust in him that he would protect Goemkarponn.
TG: Goa is home to a large number of people from other states. Does Goemkarponn offer any hope for these class of people?
VS: Let me say that nobody should fear Goemkarponn. Thousands, if not lakhs, of people from outside Goa, who are staying here need not fear about Goemkarponn, we will not evict them. Goemkarponn is centered around Konknni monis and monisponn, which speaks about Goan hospitality. At the same time, these people should respect our culture and traditions, which Goans value and will never forget. Otherwise, Goa will not remain for posterity.
