Like Rip Van Winkle, I just worke up from several weeks absence from GoaNet to
discover the news that MP wants to adresss GoaNetters. I am delighted !
Regardless of his politics
and whether one agrees with him or not, to me he is a simple unassuming
person, yet highly intelligent person who will talk to you face to face. No
false pride here.
Now, he has quite a few skeletons in is cubboard, the most dangerous of which
are his RSS
credentials. But alteast he is open about his beliefs unlike other Goan
politicians who like chamaleons hide their RSS antecedents or involvements.
The most damaging thing in my mind about him was his attempt to hang on to
power by allowing his henchmen to forge papers claiming that Philip Neri
Rodrigues had applied for BJP membership, and used this forged documents and
spurious allegation to disgualifiy Philip Neri Rodrigues. I wonder what ever
happened to that case ? The congresswallahs having their own legal
shenanigans have probably swept that case under the carpet. "I scratch your
back, you scratch my back". And neither of us will ever go to jail !!!!
What a bunch of crooks !
Lets put this all aside for now and dwell on MP the person. Smart - no
doubt. Educated - an IITian none the less. Hard working, - without a
doubtl The man is reputed to burn the midnight oil and is reputed to be a
workaholic. Being a widower, he probably has the time but undoubtedly he has
the work ethic to get things accomplished.
When he tell you something, you can bet your bottom rupee, that he means what
he says,
He suffers no fools and is an "hands on" administrator. Perhaps too much
hands on for our
lethargic beuraucrats. Honest ? Unless he has a secret stash somewhere, as
far as one can tell I have not heard anyone complain about him enriching
himself and being corrupt. Cutting corners in getting things done ? Now here
he may be on shaky ground, but in his attempt to get things done, I have
heard allegations that he does not always follow established procedures. But
when there is a deadline to meet, he chooses the path of least resistance.
These from my limited knowledge and perspectives, are the attributes of the
man, which on balance I can live with. I hope that having cooled his heels in
the opposition, he is a little wiser and mellower. Perhaps reaching out to
GoaNetters is one way to soften his image. To me the events of the past couple
of years or more have been an unmitigated disaster to "aam aadmi". It is clear
to see sho has benefitted from months of non-BJP rule. Sonia Gandhi and her
cohorts have probably been given rose tinted glasses by her fellow partymen in
Goa. The congress may come out ahead in the rest of India, but I feel that
they are in for a surprise when it comes to Goa.
Let us welcome the man with open arms. I personally would prefer an informal
live open forum open (without the tamasha of the Press, except for our very own
Frederick Noronha
and others I may not know) only to GoaNetters, with a follow up in
cyberspace. Something akin to our annual GoaNetters meet, but I guess we will
need a larger venue. But the informal format, perhaps with Chai and some
snacks would create some informality. Lets go for it ! And if I qualify to
attend, you betcha, I will be there.
Vivian
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