Contributions of Valmiki
We have been noticing some recent discussions from certain vested interests on
Goanet, trying to raise the issue of contributions to GOA! I initially choose
to ignore the same as there is no point in adding my hand to the already
boiling khichdi that is being cooked -- Goanetters know the authencity and the
malicious overtures of the persons who have raised these questions. At times
it’s better to ignore jokers, at times it makes sense to give them a laugh --
because they at least try to make you laugh!
I do not know the contribution of Digamber Kamat to Margao...forget Goa! All I
know is that he is a hard core politician, who can dump the Congress for the
BJP, then dump the BJP for the Congress and who knows what next...from the time
he was a mere councillor from my ward to this day, Digamber Kamat's
contributions to society outweigh his many hidden or exposed sins against his
own people, specially the minorities at Margao. But I will leave it to the
electorate to judge that.
And as Valmiki says -- there are no saints anymore!
I believe charity begins at home -- and a person who cannot cleanse Margao
CANNOT take care of Goa!
What Margao is today (a big garbage hole) is a fruit of labour of Digamber
Kamat's many years as Margao MLA...The Margao of today is a criminal heaven,
littered with garbage, stray dogs, prostitutes, bad electricity, water
shortages and unplanned growth of the city...How many more years will the
migrants of Monti Dongor bail out Digamber at the hustings is to be seen in
time.
Avduth Timblo although in the prosperous yet polluting mining business has I
guess contributed to Goa to some extent. Knowing the Timblos from close
quarters and being my good neighbours at Aquem...everybody knows!
Valmiki Faleiro!
I seriosuly feel that Valmiki's contribution to Margao and Goa outweighs many a
chief ministers who have let the commercial city go to the dogs...
In those formative school years in the 80s, every school going boy and girl
from Margao knew who Valmiki Faleiro was...the hard working Mayor who looked
after the city well. Its unfortunate that after the likes of Valmiki, not many
have added much colour to the honourable chair of the first citizen of
Margao. The generations of the 80s will know how Valmiki then the
most efficient Mayor of the Margao Municipality had worked hard to ensure that
the Municipality functioned and the workers were not on a permanent paid
holiday but worked hard to ensure a civic sense to the city.
Unlike today, the stray dog menace was under control -- there were not much
open gutters -- garbage heaps were not a common sight and there was a general
feeling that the city had a hard working and caring God father in the Mayor.
Of late Valmiki -- being the efficient journalist who has walked the talk as
far as Goan politics and public service is concerned is more active with his
Sunday coloumn on the Herald, still doing yomen service to the public, not just
of Margao but of the entire Goa. Those who understand his writings the satire
and nostalgia he loads his coloumns with will know how many ministers and
public servants he has been exposing -- I know.
Is'nt that a service to the public. We all shout hoarse against corruption, how
many of us have the guts to pick up the pen and write?
Yet, this man refused to fall to the lure of being offered a ticket by some top
political parties. A hard core fan of one of Goa's top parties and quite active
on Goanet some time ago had personally phoned me on several occassions from
London to hunt for a good leader from Margao to take on the excisting
establishment. Just one name came for discussion -- Valmiki Faleiro! I would'nt
say more!
I guess there are people around who crib and cry for mere foolish reasons.
There are also people around who tend to scratch the leg when the arm
scratches. It is said the pig cries when taken for rearing as well as for
slaughter!
Today, chamchas of politicians see from just one angel -- the aam aadmi is
fooled to believe that doing public service is to hold a ministry in a corrupt
government! Being a corrupt political leader is not being a public servant, but
a servant of his own family to ensure enough riches are looted and plundered to
secure a good future for his own generations...are there any good politicians
around who work for the people today?
Show me one!
Such clowns are best ignored and left to do what they do best – jugglery! I
wish brave and intellectual individuals like Valmiki Faleiro continue to do
what they are doing. Those who understand their works -- good for them, those
who dont -- tough luck!
I guess all of this has been triggered since last sunday's coloumn wherein
Valmiki dared to pinpoint a dummy candidate being put up at the south Goa
parlimentary elections.
I would not only suggest he is a dummy candidate, but a surrogate one, aided by
the two midwives from Margao.
Cedric Da Costa
UAE/Margao
