Shohbaa De should tell us something we don't know. Too late now. Goans are primarily to blame for the devastation.
How Goa was lost to non-Goans: The 1990s Maharashtrian recipe of agricultural land conversion to non-agricultural land was applied to Goa in high-steroid fashion. This model allowed for Goa's "development" and the illegal sale of Goan land to non-Goans. The Konkan railway opened up travel which has led to the last 20-year invasion and an isolated Goa has become firmly connected to the rest of India with "infrastructure projects" like highways and double-rail lines imposed adhoc on Goa without regard to the wishes of Goans, environmental impact, etc. (Goans be damned, see below). The ill-advised International Film Festival of India (IFFI) pushed by the late Manohar Parrikar which further opened up Goa to various social ills, casinos, etc. No Goan politician promised more for Goa and delivered almost nothing for Goans than the late CM. I consider him most responsible for Goa's current sorry state of affairs - in that respect the most adversely consequential Goan politician of the last 20 years. The wholesale looting of Goa resources (mines), including the current criminal coal enterprise. The central govt. remotely running Goan affairs while Goan politicians polish their slippers and consider that an honor. No Goa government of the last 20 years has been pro-Goan. Policies are deliberatively non-Goan. Goans be damned, they are not going to stand-up for themselves. Add in the criminal land mafia with ties to Delhi, Punjab, Dubai, Mumbai and effectively Goans are told "go to hell" (and not even politely) without law enforcement being on their side. Question: who has been directly complicit in the devastation of Goa? Answer: Goans. No tears need to be shed now, they always knew better all along. Btw, what has Shobhaa De done for Goa? She should continue to enjoy Mumbai. Does she think Goa needs her little sojourn and trite comments. Goa RIP Best regards, George
