From: Roland Francis <[email protected]> Re: [Goanet] Last Requiem For Goa Tourism
The Last Requiem for Goa was sung not with Manohar Parrikar planning to massively ?increase tourist footfalls? in the coming years as VM?s article claims, but with Goans adopting the greed and corruption culture of Indian society not too long after 1961. One can understand (not forgive or tolerate) the likes of an Alemao coming from an education-lacking poor family getting hold of the reins of power and using it to personally profit from loot and plunder, but one can neither understand nor forgive people like the former CM, or as many allege the current Office Holder who come from an educated and wealthy background doing the same thing though they should have known better. ----------------- GL responds: Goans appear to excel at blaming someone else for their pitiful situation. There is no reason for politicians to be corrupt and even less logic for the electorate to keep repeatedly electing them even after they have been charged. But dose it make sense to "Cut one's nose to spite one's face?" Or is it the height of folly especially for an intelligent and articulate Goan. As we sing the "Last Requiem for Goan Tourism" does the author or folks who participate in that song have any suggestion for alternate jobs for the tens of thousand of Goans who directly and indirectly depend on tourism for their daily livelihood? Just because one's own job does not depend on tourism there is no reason to disparage an industry that is the biggest sector of the economy. Just take away tourism, what will sustain Goa and Goans? An tech industry? An agricultural economy? A fisheries industry? An education system which attracts a lot of foreigners? If Goans have a problem with the local govt, then participate in it (as is doe in the rest of world). Run for office, attend meetings and open forums, organize local focus groups. Writing in a national or international forum is not gong to solve some local water drainage problem. It is cop-out or feel good-solution that gets no-where. Merely talking has been the solution in past (adopted by sussegad Goans) while the hardworking individuals rolled up their sleeves and got innovative or emigrated to then support a "remittance economy." The mental attitude of some Goans needs a "Requiem" Regards, GL
