My very dear friends, On account of the COVID-19 pandemic I will not be celebrating my 60th Birthday on 24th May. Will now have to wait for my 75th. It will be soon. In just a decade and a half. Can’t believe that I will now be a Senior Citizen as with your prayers and blessings I am getting younger by the day.
As Goa’s humble soldier, the task of serving the people is a commitment, which I will carry on till my very last breath. In all that I have done and not done, only God and the people at large will judge my every act and deed. Over the decades raising issues against the illegalities of successive governments has not been an easy task. Truth hurts but it is only truth that will always ultimately prevail. On the issues that I have raised over the years, it has been the wrong doings of those in power regardless of which party has been ruling In combating the misdeeds of the Government, the threat of an attack on one’s life always looms. But as always I remain unperturbed. I would rather die with a hope, rather than have hope die inside me. The love showered by the common men and women across Goa and around the globe is what keeps me going. Let us never hesitate in taking the bull by the horns. The ever mounting cancer of corruption, nepotism and bad governance in Goa needs to be dealt with an iron hand. We need to maintain the spirit and keep on fighting. Life is a very short voyage, a journey, the end of which we know not. So let’s keep up the fight. We owe it to Goa, or else posterity may never forgive us for having silently allowed what remains of our once beautiful State to just pass away. May the care, concern and compassion of every Goan wherever he or she is be always for Goa. We will all one day depart but our Goa must live. Let us never be mere spectators especially when anybody’s Human Rights are being violated. As Martin Luther King wisely said ‘’There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right”. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter”. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” It would be apt to remember the words of former Chief Justice of India Justice R.M. Lodha who said “The violators of human rights are not accountable to society. There is laxity in police action. This question is shaking me everyday.” I shall always remain inspired and guided by those words of Lily Tomlin "The road to success is always under construction". To you all am ever so indebted all for your continued love, prayers and immense support, Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
