Well by now I have read so many posts from Arwin Mesquita on the goan identity
and ghantis that the words ghati and identity have become synonymous for me
with Arwin Mesquita ironically writing from Abhu Dhabi.
I concede that Goa needs a saviour to save it from the ills that plague it.
Rhetoric is ok in literature but it is certainly not one of the remedies for
what ails Goa. I think what is required is well directed and concerted action
on the home front -- right here on Kurukshetr.
Here, in Canacona, I know so many retired guys from the Gulf, Europe, the
Americas, Australia, Africa and elsewhere who suddenly feel that it is they who
know how to save the village youth, the village, and Goa from what they see as
doomsday. And these prophets of doomsday have one common thing to offer to us
humble souls here at home – rhetoric.
May be Arwin is a rare genuine guy. May there is something concrete perhaps he
has done for the Goa cause which stupid me is unaware of, other than set up
another organization the likes of which are far too many to keep count. The
efficacy and shallowness of the self-styled and self-proclaimed non resident
agents/organizations of social change is too well known to require any formal
indictment. There are other NRI based organizations that only believe in
celebrating Goa.
Go south, go north, go east, go west, poverty stares us in the face right here
in Goa. It obviously stares at our NRIs too when they come for a holiday. There
are so many people, including kids, fighting for survival, fighting for a
square meal, fighting to keep the monsoon waters out of their thatched roofs.
But does that worry them. Unlikely. The internet is the best and only medium
for electronic-altruists.
Let the NRIs pool their power and resources to rebuild Goa – build orphanages,
run aged homes for the truly destitute elders, provide self-contained
educational institutions for the less fortunate children, promote development
in villages across Goa, start educational initiatives. It could truly be a
legendary tale for posterity.
Tony Martin
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