Goas review on Migrants Needed - By Robin Fernandes
MY GOA - one of the most beautiful state in India as perceived by every Indian or non-Indian, is now expected to be the capital of migrants who usually come from Bihar, UP, Karnataka, Kerala, Kashmir and almost every part of India. Cities like Margao, Vasco and Mapuca are left with little to feel Goas cultures and traditions unlike the 70s & 80s. The last 20 years has filled the state with vagrant aliens and the Government has no control whatsoever to take any sort of precautions to monitor influx of these migrants. The leaders in the villages too are oblivious as to what and how this could impact the livelihood of the Goan community in the near future. However, we do share one National Anthem and have no right to racial segregation or to settle anywhere within the confines of our nation. Nevertheless, as Goans, we have a legitimate right and obligation to ensure a secular and clean State, keeping the culture and the traditional fabric in mind, like any other State. But creating slums and shanty towns everywhere in Goa is an eyesore to the Goans as well as the tourists. I pity every Goan who have work abroad as professional of his specialization as well as other trades. Every Goan can contribute greatly to the State and enhance their status, but, unfortunately corruption and other ills have plagued our State. Paying a ransom to the Government officials to secure a job is a nightmare to most Goans, while the professional and even unskilled migrants labour do everything to settle down in Goa. Today, if you look at the employment statistics at the State level, I am uncertain if 30% of Goans are awarded with the new jobs, because the politicians earn a lumpsum selling these opportunities to non-Goans. We elect our politicians blindly, over and over again with no positive conclusions, no development plans or any kind of specific strategy. At the end of their term(s) the politicians will make a big issue of polishing and cementing a few roads and pavements. Or while they are around, a few festivities, under the guise of culture and language considerations, are held to keep the Goans happy and drown them in such glories! Who is responsible for all this mess? We all are! The politicians save Rs. 500 for every individual in the constituency and can easily buy votes for the next election. Literally, we sell ourselves completely along with our rights to these so called leaders for a meagre Rs. 100 each year at an average in the name of democracy. The politicians need more and more migrants for their vote banks, and in return, they provide them with ration cards, electricity and water supply free of cost (more often) to ensure them permanent residence in Goa along with voting rights. So now, these migrants have been voting in two different states (their original place of birth and residence) and also in Goa - a rare situation in which the Government of India has no proper system for verification! Secondly the Goa Government churns out crores of rupees to each and every migrant settled in our State giving them these doles in the name of rural unemployment benefits, etc. A visit to any of the banks in Goa will give you a clear picture. Who checks out whether these migrants are working or not? Any why should they be compelled to work, if such 'free gifts' are given to them in the name of BPL - Below Poverty Level schemes? Corruption is gossiped amongst ourselves silently and we are afraid to raise our voices against these malpractices. The Government offices have looted the people of Goa through bribery, from the Municipality office right down to the Panchayat level. Every government employee is enjoying a minimum of Rs. 10,000 salary whereas bribes produce 5 times more than the actual earnings even the lower level. One can only imagine the earnings at the higher level who make their fortunes. Who is responsible for this? We all are! These are not just assumptions but the actual facts and we all pretend like nothing has happened and this silent ignorant attitude of ours allows these hypocratic leaders to ruin the State with no mercy in the name of the Goans. There are several factors that we all need to analyse and be vigilant of, inorder to protect the interest of our State before it turns out to be the another capital of Bihar, Karnataka or Maharastra as we would neither be in the position to stop nor control these migrants. Many tourists from all over India who visits Goa have tarnished our reputation as they perceive us as susegad and drunkards with no concern with whats going on around us. MAKA KITEAK PODLAM TANCHEM MARUN ZOK - isnt that what we say very often? Even Bollywood portrays the Goan as being nothing but lazy and always on the high! Is that what we are? Having a passport is all that is dreamt of, by most of the younger generation in Goa with only one dream - to work abroad or migrate to Europe! They fail to see the hidden wealth in our own land. The United States is the latest trend for easy money, even our qualified youth compelled to leave for low grade jobs.WHY NOT? says Laloo Prasad HAMRA EXPRESS SE HAMRA GOA CHALO'.. A train carries a minimum of 800 passengers a day which makes around 24,000 passengers a month all the way from Bihar. The Konkan Railways transport approximately 35 million passengers every year! So you can just imagine how many of them must have settled down in Goa. HUH!?! The Government of Goa has implemented family planning 25 years back and foolishly produce HUM DO HUMARA DO! What a tragedy? Approximately 50-60% of the population of Goa is middle class as per the latest statistics and if we follow the Government implied practice on family planning we will end with only 30% as Goan population and the balance 70% will comprise the settlers. Advise for all Goans. Have as many children as possible in order to protect our Beautiful Goa. Give priority to Education and practice your own profession. Make use of your own capacity and create Jobs for fellow Goans. Elect leaders and not feeders and understand your rights. Say No to bribery to Government employees and expose these culprits. Wake up, Goans! It's time! Lets work together and take a stand to make Our Goa a land of advancement and tranquility. Robin Fernandes Betalbatim, Salcette, Goa/Kuwait Mob. 00965-99704157 Email ID - [email protected] 10/12/2009 http://indiancommunityinkuwait.blogspot.com/2009/12/goas-review-on-migrants.html Posted by Goa-World.COM
