Albert DeSouza: 1: Are we really liberated? Is Goa progressing? I think we are going in backward directions. Our outdated educational system, our poor roads, flickering electricity.... etc etc the list is endless
2: The portuguese curtailed our freedom to some extent but we were like kings. We had fresh fish, fresh vegetables. 3: Today ..... jc's comment: Dear Albert, I suggest that we accept the reality and learn to live with it. Nothing comes free. There is a price for everything and we should always think seriously about what we ask for. We might actually get it. In the late 1950s, Goans were asked to disrupt their way of life. They did so and 1961 followed. Goans did not make any arrangements to fill the vacuum which would be left behind by the departure of the Portuguese. Then came the Military Administrator, the MGP, Congress and the BJP with the odd circus clown in the middle. Communidade land got swiped, Mundcar Act was imposed, Dabolim went, Anjadiva went and IFFI came. Vast amounts of agricultural land was converted from green to concrete - and we Goans appear shocked NOW? All this time - our governments, our politicians and our patracars told us that Our Goa was becoming Bhangaranchem (Golden). Those who disagreed with this distortion of the truth were castigated & denigrated and their views suppressed or drowned out. In 2007, Goans are again asked to disrupt the way of life and force the Govt to step down. What do we have to fill as a replacement? I say : Beware of Snake Oil merchants. It is too late in 2007 to try compare Goa's position with that of Kashmir. The Kashmiris were smart when they negotiated Art 370 in return for accession. As far as Goans are concerned, there are some bright ones who do not even know in 2007 that the Liberation of Goa from the Portuguese was accomplished by an Invasion of troops from outside Goa. Those bright sparks probably believe that Goans took to arms and defeated the 'four and a half' Portuguese who were in Goa. Get used to it. Study hard, work harder and compete on the global market.ONLY If you have time to waste, waste it on Morchas, Dharnas and Fasts. Ultimately - the money-bags will prevail. The valiant will be worn out and the present trend will continue. The only place Goa (as we knew it ) will survive is in our hearts and in cyberspace. just my view jc
