-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEART TO HEART (Jan 1, 2006) By Ethel Da Costa
Goans, it's time to govern our land! I'm not a party pooper. I love the nightlife. But lately, it's beginning to get to me. I don't mean to sound nasty, but I see no reason why I should be condescending either. Especially when I know that Goans by large are not a star-struck population, and wouldn't bat an eyelid even if Amitabh Bachchan was wearing a lungi and playing golf at Miramar beach, or Shah Rukh Khan was hitch-hiking in drag at Baga.
Goans are sucegad. Period. It's a lifestyle statement. We are generally a happy, hospitable State. The world envies us our pace of life. But, I wish to tell seventy per cent of non-Goans (and outside) setting shop here who think Goa is one long, easy lay, that Goans are not back-bench sitters. This is not meant to be racist, but having seen what I see it's time to tell them that you can't come to Goa and believe you can take over the neighbourhood and our values with money. Goans are not celebrity hunger who want to get their picture into Page 3, or are even moderately interested in the brand of shoes you might have picked up in Monte Carlo. An average Goan loves his peace, his fish, his home and will fight for his land. He wants an affordable, comfortable living. He wants respect. An average Goan is not necessarily a back-bender who will kiss ass to network his 'contacts.' The celebrity virus offloaded from Bombay and Delhi is beginning to eat into the Goan social fabric (as I see them falling over each other to be invited for parties and other ego-massaging power trips. It's nauseating). Mega birthday parties (yes, its all good for Goa's economy and image), the falling over of who gets invited (the climbing over backs of wanting to get invited just to be 'seen' as a status symbol) and the over-the-top media ho-ha that follows celebrity bashes, is deeply disturbing. What disturbs deepest is the nouveau Goan, cash rich, landed, flashing money his poor grandfather might have slogged sweat to build the family business, who dreams and craves upward social mobility just to 'belong' to the 'society crowd,' ass kissing the celebrity brigade that Goa should be wary of. It is this breed of soul-less 'brat' entrants who are selling Goa for a song, their pocket and bank balance. This is why Goans who love Goa and her values must stand up, take stock and govern the 'new residents', before we totally lose our identity.
I am usually driven by passion. But it is anger which drives this column. Simply because for too long we have been reduced to playing second fiddle in our own land. For too long we have been bystanders to a corrosion of values that money brings in. Our hospitality and good nature is being taken for granted, as a state of people who lack drive, ambition and dreams. Yes, I know that we have ourselves to blame and our governments for the lethargy that has set into our society, because everyone wants to suckle up to the system instead of standing up to it. I know first hand foreign residents doing business in Goa openly threatening other foreigners and locals 'not to step in my way' to warn off competitors (Would they allow us to do the same in their own country?). There seems to be a virtual, but sure take-over of business opportunities by foreigners in Goa and a shady, below-the-belt competition eating into Goa's moral and social fabric, inhabited by Goa's society crowd, who are only interested in where to get the best pedicure, designer thongs, who's doing whom and who's invited to the next celebrity do. My stomach churns.
I know a New Year is for resolutions. So a few of us (and friends from South Goa who also feel the same) are firmly set to create 'watch-dogs' in society who will off-set the forces of blatant materialism with a driving energy of protecting what is ours. Before Goa spirals headlong into another materialistic driven, empty soul metro. Let each Goan make a resolution to stand up for his village, to protect his land fast slipping out of his fingers, to be vigilant against the smooth-talking money bag who wants to steal your home and values. Let Goans learn to 'govern' instead of being content binging on free booze and bitching about Goa going to the dogs, because we don't stand up to the 'bhailes.' Utt Goenkara!
==== -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
