If we want to see Goa liberated from corrupt politicians, each of us must pick up the cross and follow our conscience, expecting nothing from other Goans
Dr Joe D’Souza
Each year, we solemnly celebrate Liberation Day in Goa. On 19th December 1961, the Indian armed forces entered Goa and with ease took over the reins of colonial administration which was ill-prepared to take on the might of the Indian Army and thus the Liberation of Goa was a bloodless encounter and we Goans got the “fruits of self-governance” on a platter.
Now that history of Goa Liberation is behind us, we are witnessing in Goa a sort of a second Liberation of this once an “Emerald Green State” from the “Brown Sahebs” of today, far different from the “White Masters” of the yore, prior to “Goa Liberation”.
The second Liberation sought to be directed by the “Executive of Goencho Awaz” interestingly is anticipated to commence from 19th December, 2018. However, unlike the first liberation which was a sudden unannounced and an army directed movement, the second liberation is a drummed up civilian activity against the corrupt, anti-people government propped up by the BJP at the Centre through activities directed towards defection, manipulations and misuse of the office of the Governor, against the mandate given by the people of Goa. That the toothless and the spineless opposition parties are doing precious nothing to stem the rot and liberate Goans is a matter for yet another essay. It is a matter of a joke played by the weak opposition asking the BJP-appointed governor to be dismissed; by the BJP-appointed president of the country.
Asking for the health status of the CM and the CM displaying a photo op on the third Mandovi bridge as a reply is yet another hilarious event played by the shrewd BJP. How to topple a non-performing government was ironically shown by Parrikar himself, when he smoothly dislodged Francisco Sardinha, while he was just on a week’s visit to Australia in 2000.
That Congress has a bunch of ex-CMs whose dossiers of loot, scams and misappropriations are with the BJP is a big handicap for the Congress. The purpose of this essay is not to expose the mining loot and scams by the erstwhile Congress, now in the opposition, neither is it to highlight the numerous “U-turns” of the Parrikar government, which has sold Goa lock, stock and barrel and placed Goa and Goans in a quandary, but to see how we as Goans can come out decisively to save our honour and dignity from the ever-exploiting political class.
With X’Mas just a few days away, can we learn and act as per the “actions displayed” by the greatest and most effective “revolutionary and reformer”
of all times, whose birth anniversary,
the world celebrates on December 25 each year?
Today, Goa in particular, has become a ritualistic, easy-going, yelling and shouting society hoping that every other person except themselves are responsible for the mess going on in the garb of good governance and development. They do nothing and expect the heavens to their job.
Jesus ultimately took up the Cross, gave up his sweat, blood and finally died - being killed by the oppressors in society. The ritualistic Pharisees then oppressed the hard working, down to earth poor Publicans. Instead of following Jesus in letter and spirit, we conveniently ignore that a child born in the manger, had to spend his entire life of 33 years, learning, teaching and finally ending up his all for the cause of human dignity. Jesus’ achievements is sheer human activity full of sincerity and for a cause. Nothing and absolutely nothing supernatural and divine but individual hard work.
The power and wonders of the control of the human mind over the body is
indeed the essence of Jesus’ life and teaching.
Hence a Revolution in Goa has to wean away from ritualism and keep away religion, gaiety and celebrations, as Jesus gave the message to all of mankind as to how true emancipation, liberation and revolution is to be earned by the sweat of thy brow and not over by the shoulders of others.
On 19th December, 1961, Goans did precious nothing to earn liberation and on 19th December, 2018, we would have only 10% Goans familiar to the independence movement in India and the liberation movement in Goa.
We have to learn from history so that we can avoid committing the same mistakes. As Edmund Burke said the only thing necessary for the evil to triumph and win over is for “the good men to remain quiet and sit on the fence”.
Goa is surely degrading rapidly and Goenkarponn is taking up a new dimension due to the BJP which is now in power promoting gambling on casinos, deleterious coal imports, destructive Mopa airport, illegal mining and unsustainable tourism which is slowly displacing Goans from their once paradise on Earth - “Amche Goem”.
The reasons why most revolutions and oppositions to misgovernance fails, is because we expect others to do our dirty work. We fail to recognize how Gandhiji, Nelson Mandela and scores of our successful leaders learnt from the life of Jesus Christ and won the battle against exploitation, discrimination and
oppression.
Revolution and liberation often requires sweat, blood, commitment and without vested interest at heart. God helps those who help themselves. If we want to see our “Mother Goa” liberated from the fangs of corrupt politicians out to destroy Goa through manipulations of the Regional plan and amendments to the rules of Town and Country Planning, each of us must pick up the cross and follow our conscience, expecting absolutely nothing from other Goans.
One has to earn success, with hard work and commitment directed and derived through informed actions meant towards the cause of society. If we are opposing coal transportation through Vasco, we must be convinced and aware, through scientific studies and actions as to the ill-effects of coal dust on the population. We must flood society with knowledge and inspire them to be a part of a movement. A true revolution commands people’s respect with positive action. May the Goa liberation from exploitation be a success.
