As predicted by late Matanhy Saldanha, it might not be easy to find a Goan in Goa after a few decades. We must stand up to protect what is left of our little state
As elections approach the simmering issue of ‘Special Status’ always comes alive. Special Status (whatever it means) is all very fine and welcome, but what is intriguing is the way it’s been touted as a sure shot prescription/panacea for all the ills plaguing our state.
Do we need Special Status to protect our environment, our rolling green hills, our fertile fields, our meandering rivers, our majestic waterfalls and springs, salt pans, mangroves and orchards from the hands of greed?
Do we need Special Status to protect our languages, to stop the loot of our rich natural resource, to save our community lands from mass encroachment or to stop Goa from turning into a huge garbage dump? And as far as culture goes, it’s an ever-evolving thing - if the Portuguese Corridinho can become a part of Goan culture, why can’t the Gujarati dandiya?
A little introspection should lead us to realise the bitter fact that Goa and Goans have been sold cheap by its own sons and daughters. Our own elected representatives, for whom anything that fills up their coffers is progress, have betrayed our trust and connived with the various lobbies to rape, loot and plunder our tiny land.
Doesn’t the state government have the powers/ jurisdiction to bring in legislations to protect our land from filthy-rich land sharks from across the border? Don’t they have the power to ban labour intensive industries that leads to mass migration of cheap labour from other states? Having said this, it must also be said that many of the labour class outsiders whom we often disdainfully refer to as ‘gantis’ are actually contributing to Goa by providing the much-needed valuable services.
Look around: the vegetable vendors, the fish vendors, the barbers, the bread men, the fruitwallas, the milkmen, the carpenters, plumbers, masons, painters, cooks, waiters, security men, grave diggers, crematorium workers…. are all non Goans!
With even the bars and taverns being slowly taken over, the only enterprise that still remains untouched is perhaps the pork and sausage-making industry. Come to think of it, Goa will come to a grinding halt if the so-called “gantis” decide to go on strike!
The bus to ‘Special Status’ came and went back empty a very long time ago because we refused to hop in!
Our best chance to demand and get special privileges served on a platter presented itself immediately after Goa was taken over through a military operation in 1961, but we simply could not speak in one voice!
We Goans, as is our wont, kept fighting amongst ourselves – with one group (generously supported by the Maratha lobby) vehemently clamouring for a merger with Maharashtra, the other group could hardly think beyond a simple separate identity.
Thankfully, destiny has been pretty kind to us because a little slip here and a little twist there could have easily rendered Goa into a district of Maharashtra!
At the time of liberation, Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India aptly described Goans as ‘ajeeb log’. The record books may not reflect this yet, but those ‘ajeeb Goans’ and/or their off springs (those eligible for Portuguese passports) are already a minority in Goa.
Seriously speaking, it’s difficult to say as to what will benefit us more now: Special Status for Goa, or ‘endangered species status’ for Goans!
The saddest thing about the issue of Special Status is the way it’s been and being used as election fodder: a genuine passion in pursuing Special Status is obviously missing.
Politicians cutting across party lines have spoken passionately about Special Status when out of power; but when in power and in a better position to pursue the cause effectively, they conveniently forget all about it.
If we keep electing crooks with insatiable greed to office, even with Special Status, they will always find ways and means to sell us together with our land and environment. The state government’s willing acceptance of the centre`s CRZ notification 2018 that opens up No Development Zones along the shore line to economic and business activities is a interesting case in point. Let fools swallow lollipops of Special Status dangled before election time, it’s more important that we stand up to protect what is left of our little state!
As predicted and succinctly expressed by the late Matanhy Saldanha (one of the few honest proponent of special status) some years back, it might not be easy to find a Goan in Goa after a few decades.
A visit to the village markets in the evening lends credence to his prophecy… But as the saying goes, one can take a Goan out of Goa but one cannot take ‘Goa’ out of him or her! Goans will thrive and flourish in nooks and corners of the globe and will always remain unique and standout for one reason or the other.
Our Konkani bhas, as a spoken language, will live on and so will our mando, dulpods, sannas and sorpatel.
