India's tiny 25th State celebrates its 21st Statehood day anniversary today,
30/05/1987. Many Goans this writer contacted to ascertain their view on
this auspicious day felt thus:
A good number were confused as to what actually the difference between
Union Territory status and Statehood meant. Some felt Statehood was the
raison d etre for 40 MLAs instead of 28 under UT status. This is not
correct. Others felt that under UT status funds were there for the
asking accountabilty was not there and we had a record of retuning unspent
funds. Even our loan outstanding of 400 odd crores was written as bad debts?
This is a misnomer.
With a intellectually bankrupt leadership, mis management of funds through
cost overruns on projects like the Tillari irrigation project and the
Selaulim dam and political instability the rule rather the exception
many feel that Statehood does not bode well for Goans.
But then there is the other side which many feel is a blessing in disguise:
Statehood has helped demolish the ghost of merger with the neighbouring State,
and .
consolidated our unique identity in the polity of States in the federal
structure of our country.
It has earned us the undisputed status of being the
most favoured tourist destination that other states in the country and in
the world can ill afford to ignore.
There is however much that Goans feel we need to do and we must do so now
that we have attained 21 years of age. This they feel can come about only
if some aberrations of the past 37 years post Liberation are rectified with a
broad consensus.
First of all Goans within and outside should endeavour to be united
towards a Goan centric development.
..
Second Konkani is our mother tongue the language that identifies a true
Goan.Diversity in scripts ought to be our avowed motto and this aberration in
our Official Language Act 1987 must be rectified, whatever be the costs.
Avoiding blood, sweat, or tears?
Thirdly our distinct identity is owing to a cultural mix of East meets
West. It is a symbiosis of pre-Conquest/post Conquest culture.
Not just pre-Conquest culture as some ideologues
(amongst Goans) , of the right wing fundamentalist forces would
want us to believe and accept.
Thus their clandestine ways of imposing this ideology (of pre Conquest culture
only ) on the largest minority community in the State needs to be kept in
check. To achieve this one needs to cautiously isolate these forces.
Bridging the purposeful divide being created between the non
Brahminical forces amongst the majority community and the largest minority
community, using religion as the opium must be nipped in the bud. Our
unique sense of Religious tolerance should prevail.
Fourthly The Goan world over is identified with ones village republic. It
is the native and private laws which existed since Vedic times that were
the soldering effect on our village republics . The communes or gaunkaries
described the nature of land holdings and the way of socio-economic and legal
jurisprudence. The "sossegado" way of life did not mean laziness as is
commonly believed but a healthy living endearing to a good quality of
stress free life and of joy and merriment. This needs to be
reinforced "de novo" .with a pragmatic and legalistic approach.
The present day Village Panchayats / Municipalities despite being given
Constuitutional safeguards under 73rd and 74th amendments reflect a poor
substitute for the gaunkaries which received the statutory status by our
erstwhile rulers in the form of the Diploma No: 2070 of 15th April 1961 .
Was it their parting gift to a territory that was soon to be
Liberated 19/12/1961?
As against the 189 Panchayats and 13 Municipalities and a Corporation
in the State there would be better cohesiveness if the 222 non
state private gaunkaries and some others defunct are revitalised and its
legal sanctity restored.
Legally this may be a long drawn battle to undo the post liberation form
of governance which eclipsed the Communes and gaunkaries; but through active
participation of Goans in the Gram Sabhas in large numbers and Village
Development Plans will usher in the revival of these gaunkaries albeit with a
new outlook. The Goans will need to start looking at their villages their
assets and have village centric roles to play within the commune to reinstate
the village as republics.
Fifth the Mundcarial Laws and the Agricultural Tenancy Acts post Liberation
only created a regime of "rob Peter to pay Paul" .No doubt it brought about
economic empowerment to the those below the social ladder. But
economic empowerment did not mean that they were intellectually
empowered and this has been the bane of such noveau riche Goans.
Politically it ensured a safe vote bank for those aspiring for the Treasury
benches. But that was thirty seven to thirty five years ago.
Today the Mundcar Bhatkar divide has nearly been demolished . Hence
it is the migrant vote bank that is being cultivated by these aspiring
politicos.
There is scope for reforms iand broad consensus in either eliminating the
Mundcarial laws and Agricultural Tenancy Acts removing the thin wedge
that may still exist between the Mundcar Bhatkar for there is a need
to remain united against the outside migrant forces that threaten to
change our demographic composition .
Sixth - Our scarce land is being looted in broad daylight our rich forest
reserves are being overmined to meet the China glut. The economies will
prosper there no doubt on this but the ecological damage is irreversible
notwithstanding the global warming looming like a damocles sword over this
globe.
Seventh The chorus of decline of agriculture is being heard time and
again by realators. The reality however is that land that has been left
fallow has only been a blessing in disguise to those who endeavour for organic
farming. Improved technologies irrigation will boost organic farming in
the State and this needs to be revivied. With that will follow
traditional occupations. Remember the iagricultural occupation began to
be displaced by the ndustrial economy only in the late 19th century,.
Our population at the time of Liberation was a meagre five lacs. With every
Goan restricting his family to three family norm; the state can on its own and
with the foreign exchange earnings cater to its own needs. The myth that
vegetables from Belgaum milk from Kolhapur and power generations from States
other than the Central grid are necessary to meet our industrial requirements
is a myth. The service sector, institutional, tourist and IT sector are
best suited for the Goans and we need not depend on other States or expertise
from outside. Our Goans world wide who have excelled in all fields can
use their know how for the welfare of the State and its people.
The underlying message to all Goans many feel in conclusion is Goa is not the
abode for those from outside. They are welcome to taste the best of
hospitality and return more often. But let our Goa remain unique and blessed by
nature.
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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