The development bandwagon has gone too far in sound the clarion call. And we Goans have been hopping on it not to be left out. The pertinent question that has been forgotten to be asked is "DEVELOPMENT FOR WHOM?" As if gold has been struck in Goa, everyone is zeroing in for a piece of it. Like Anthony Silva of Asolna succinctly puts it " If you are not a Goan and if you come to Goa and like what you see, why do you have to buy it?? Likewise, if you visit a museum and if you like what is displayed there, can you buy it all?"
Those of us in Goa who know where this trend is leading to, must step in with their to say enough is enough. Let the government of the day work hard to plan Goa's infrastructures such as stable water/power supply, sanitation/garbage, roads/accesses, public transportation, health and agriculture etc. One does not have to worry about development. It will take place on its own. We at goasuraj have always dared to walk a different road even if it means enduring blisters on our soles. Needless to say that we extend our congratulations to Vidyadhar on this excellent piece of writing. And, "Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning" reminds me of the people's agitation against the TCP Ordinance brought in by Atanasio Monserrate when he was the TCP Minister, where gurus of social activism objected to people coming on the streets. And I had snubbed them with a one-liner telling them that "Wars are not fought from the sanctity and comfort of one's bedrooms" floriano goasuraj ----- Original Message ----- From: Vidyadhar Gadgil <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Goanet mails <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 2:53 AM Subject: [Goanet] DARE TO WALK A DIFFERENT ROAD Herald, Panjim, 4 April 2008 DARE TO WALK A DIFFERENT ROAD ------------------------------------------------------------- The Bigger Picture Let us remember that all is not lost. In Goa we are uniquely placed to tread a different path, and give the lead to others. We still have a relatively unspoilt environment and and natural beauty. We have a literate, well-informed, socially engaged population which is deeply attached to its land and culture. By Vidyadhar Gadgil --------------------------------------------------------------- There is a sense of desperation creeping into Goan society as the tsunami of irrational development threatens to overwhelm the state. As mega-projects mushroom and ever-growing mass tourism places greater strains upon the social and environmental fabric, the process of hawking Goa to the highest bidder is well under way. Things are at the point where the urban sprawls and rural deserts by now characteristic of much of India are replicated here as well. -- "Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its many waters...Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." — Frederick Douglass
