my column in today's OHeraldo. -- Pessimism rules the state
Eugene Correia I t seems pessimism has taken root among Goans.Since the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) came to power by dislodging the Congress in the last elections, the morale and the trust of the people in the government that promised so much has sunk to a new low. While personally I don’t want to sound a pessimist, I have come to take dim view of Goa in its current state. I am hoping against hope that it will stabilize itself in all aspects of human life and the people will rejuvenate in living in pride as they were decades ago. Come to think of it, Goa’s case is not dis- similar to that of other states. But, one thing that used to separate Goa was its socio- political status. Goa was perceived as a jewel in India’s crown of states. It had attained an exalted status of not only having natural beauty but standing out for its living conditions. It was Numero Uno. As such, it attracted the affluent crowd from Delhi and Mumbai, not just to take in the splendor of its sunsoaked beaches and to party all- night long during the yuletide season and ring in the New Year. Some who came to play have stayed on or have come in its embrace permanently, making Goa their home. Along with the highheeled and the affluent Indians, also came along the poor, those considered “ unwanted”. While the rich and highlyprofessional Indians have added gloss to Goan society, the rest are frowned upon for rendering Goa ugly. Goan society has been churned so much that in- bred Goans have expressed that Goa has lost its traditional value and unique lifestyle. Added to this is the out- migration of Goans, not just to the mega- cities of India but to foreign chimes, mostly to Europe. The blessing of the Portuguese passport has come to the aid of Goans who want to abandon the land that they feel offers them no solace in material terms. To them, Goa has failed on the “ general happiness scale.” Goans who have remained in Goa, either by choice or none, face the reality of the day. Right now the sounds of elections are to be heard. It’s about a year to go when Goa goes to the polls but the political parties are gearing up for this five- year ritual of the celebrations of parliamentary democracy. Goa seems to be in a state of shambles. The political cross- winds have begun blowing strongly. Some of the issues heard today were heard before and during the 2012 elections. The Medium of Instruction ( MoI) fracas has been going on too long. It’s a weary subject that even the primary students may have been sick of hearing. Drumming up support by respective groups only adds to the confusion. The government has sat on its hands, and a decision is expected next month. In this ongoing debate, ministers are been inevitably dragged along. Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza and other ministers and MLAs have spoken out but now have their mouths shut with duck tape. It won’t be easy for the government to find an escape route from this muddle. The Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch ( BBSM) and the Rashtiya Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS) will keep on snipping at the government’s tail till it has its way in blocking grants to the English- language primary schools. The age- old Devnagiri vs Romi tussle is another aspect to this unassailable problem that has been wrecking the brains of both the government and those on the sidelines. A “ middle way” can only help the BJP at the next elections, as the BBSM has threatened to put a spanner in the party’s electoral plans. The threat is serious enough to warrant a rethink on this matter. If the BJP can stall it by once again convincing the two sides to lay off till a new government is sworn in, it will have won half the battle. As much as the MoI was the election issue the last time, so was the “ illegal mining” issue. No doubt, the illegal mining spectacle has been settled, but the fall- out ( that’s the eauctioned ore) from this is dividing the mining- dependent people and those against it in a war zone, namely Caurem. The Cavrem villagers are up- in- arms and they are not going to let- up on their demands. The arrest and judicial beating of Ravindra Velip is a poignant reminder that things could go astray and that the government will stop at nothing to shut the people up, just as the new diktat against ministers who were shooting off their mouths. What has happened to Velip, and the pressures and harassment on Ramesh Gawas and others in the frontline of social activism only reconfirms the strong nexus between the politicians and the police. Instead of listening to the protest voices, the government’s rigid and unbending approach only helps in adding to the frustration of the people. Another hang- up from the last election that is shaping to be one of the foremost election planks for 2017 is that of the casinos. The casino won in 2012, and what may prevent it from winning again in 2017? Either they will be shipped out or stay anchored, they will keep themselves afloat. The BJP is bobbing itself on taking a decision on this crucial issue on which Goans have expanded their brains and energy. As one of the promises that Manohar Parrikar made to the electorate to send them packing into the sea far away from being the eyesore that they are in the River Mandovi, Parrikar himself has been transferred to Delhi. There’s talk of Parrikar swimming back into Goan politics, not that his reach and presence isn’t felt in the state, but he can put an end to Parsekar’s aspirations. When the CM has been seen as stepping out of Parrikar’s shadow, Parsekar may find himself drawn in again into Parrikar’s magnetic fold. If this happens, it won’t be a surprise. On the other hand, the Congress is still working on its strategy. Goans must keep their fingers crossed as to what will unfold between now and 2017. Eugene Correia is a senior journalist) == eugene
