Dear Goanetters. This is a copy of the editorial in Goa Herald on 3rd of January.
Have a God blessed new Year. Ivar Fjeld Ribandar. Shame Goa, shame. Shame Goa, shame Shame on you Goa! Shame on all the people who came to Goa to enjoy themselves and shame on all the people, who made pious sounding statements and then danced the night away on December 31. In case many of you’ll had forgotten India was struck by a double tragedy – the death of former primer minister P V Narashima Rao and a tragedy that cannot be erased from the memory of Indian history. The deaths resulting from the tsunami tragedy in the eastern coastal belt of India and the rest of India. And while the world grieved – from New York to Japan – Goa was one big party. There was rejoicing everywhere, parties galore, bright lights all over the place and yes even the good old Governor decided to shake a leg at the longest dance party and drink a cup of cheer at a private party. Congratulations, yes congratulations and Happy New Year, because while President A PJ Kalam and all other dignitaries shared their sorrow by not celebrating the New Year, people in Goa decided to welcome 2005 with fireworks, lights and lots of noise. Was it a blaze of glory or a blaze of shame? What happened to all those pious statements of condolence and sympathy? What was the use of having special collections and funds when we, Goans, could not respect the tragedy that hit India? What happened to all the famous celebrities who raise objection over certain events, where are they now and how come no concert, no special event is being held to raise funds for the tsunami victims? What happened to all the high flying people who come to use Goa as a base to party and just party – could there not be one day of non- partying as a mark of respect? And what about us Goans, where was that sense of compassion? Was it sufficient in just giving a few hundred rupees to a charity and saying, “poixe dilear sogle bore,” so it is not surprising that people label this State as free and easy and that anything goes in Goa. Only if there was some restraint, some care shown like some restaurants in Calangute who refused to party as a mark of respect. Just donating one days salary and making a big show was not sufficient, because by throwing all the parties, dancing the night away and allowing lights to burn throughout the night showed our disrespect and lack of compassion. And this includes all the big wigs – practice what you preach and do not be a hypocrite by saying something and doing something else. Yes, shame on you Goa, shame on all people who partied on December 31 and shame on all the celebrities with their double speak. Because all the lights you burnt on December 31 to welcome the New Year were not celebrations but lights of shame. Shame. (end) __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Send holiday email and support a worthy cause. Do good. http://celebrity.mail.yahoo.com