Dear Goanet readers.
I have been a keen follower of not just Goanet, but the happenings in Goa over the years (especially the social and political scene). I have decided to write on Goanet after much soul searching. Although born and having undergone my graduate and postgraduate education in Goa, I have lived abroad for many years and visit Goa frequently. My last trip to Goa was a few weeks back and I was utterly dismayed and frustrated like most Goans in Goa and around the world, by the drastic deterioration in infrastructure and total breakdown of administration since my previous visit. I was shaken by how much disillusionment was there among the people, specially the not too well off. Wherever I went and whoever I spoke to,there was a constant refrain about how corruption has skyrocketed, specially during the last few years! The evidence was all there.The piled up garbage, stray dogs, mosquitoes in their hordes, traffic congestion, dilapidated bus stations, frequent power and water failure…the list is endless! What stunned me more than anything else was the huge increase in migrants( especially around Margao). I was told that these serve as block vote banks for the politicians and get their Ration Cards and voting rights even before they land in Goa,and, if not for these migrants, neither Digamber Kamat , nor Sardinha would have won the elections this time! Most people I spoke to,were of the opinion that Corruption and not Communalism,( which they think was blown out of proportion,especially in Salcette,which forms the major vote bank for the congress) is destroying the very fabric of goan society. In spite of being an MLA for decades, the major achievement of Digamber Kamat is that of building ghettos of migrants for vote banks which will create/ creating its own problems as seen in other countries of the world. This government, which is full of corrupt ministers, has stopped functioning. They cannot take any decisions without the High Command, as the masters in Delhi decide what is good for Goa and, blame the Opposition for their failures! Goa needs a new Chief Executive, who can take decisions for the good of Goa and not a puppet controlled from Delhi! Yes, Goa needs a second and “real” Liberation. It involves Political Solution, and all those who are passionate about Goa, should combine all their resources to bring about this change. It is past time, that we stop sitting on the fence, stop arguing and above all, stop criticizing those voices who are sacrificing their time, money and energy in their sincere attempt to prevent Goa from becoming another UP, BIHAR or ORISSA! Warm Regards Dr. Anesimo Fernandes ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AIM(R) Mail ! - http://webmail.aim.com
