Before I state my views on the above mentioned subject I would like to make it very clear that this is nothing personal against anyone nor do I want to associate with anyone(should they being fighting this issue on a personal basis or vendetta against any of the GWA organisers). My views are purely on the cause of preserving Goa and its Identity.
Now coming to my main point, whilst I like Goans getting together at various functions, I strongly protest against Organisations like GWA, Qatar inviting long time Politicians who are primarily responsible for the pathetic state of affairs in Goa today. Goa is losing its land, culture and identity primarily because of the Politicians. (1) Whilst in democracy yes, the elected representatives are elected by the people; one must also remember that Democracy gives the right the protest and the more people protest against all the ills happening, the better chance there is to get rid of the non-performing politicians by mobilising public opinion. Protests can be in many forms i.e. street protests, press protest etc and even in the form of softer protests like not giving undue publicity. Many Goans look up to the organisers of such functions; so may I ask What type of message are we sending when we are glorifying these politicians ? Do we like them ? Do we support them and what they do? Do we give them credibiltity? Some of them have really questionable reputations; are we aspiring to be the same or do we want our children to gave the same values?? (2) Just because the MLA is offering goodies, lights, sugar, rice, tarring roads, public amenities special favours etc at a cost which is insignicant to what he is reaping via excessive corruption does not mean that the MLA deserves any pat on the back. Have Overseas Goans thought about why we are outside Goa in the first place; is it not because of the failed policies of the Government where most MLA's are all too interested in enhancing the personal wealth of themselves and their families via corruption and other means? Are we too small minded to be happy with the small stuff so we allow the MLA's to loot the big stuff!! Don't we gullible Goans realise that the corrupt MLA's have created this system of us being dependent on them, so as to ensure that they continue in power and continue with looting of Goa. If we had a better system would we have to rely on these corrupt politicians. Public amenities like water, tarring roads are our right and should be done by an accountable governnment and not any special favour. Lest we forget that Politicians are public servants and not public "Gods" (3) Inviting these politicians who are doing nothing against indiscriminate mining, destructive development via mega projects, migrant vote-banks, illegal agricultural conversions to facilitate real estate, land sales to outsiders etc are a slap on the face of all the genuine activists in Goa, who are fighting against powerful forces to preserve Goa and its identity for all Goans!! (4) Could the organisers not invited prominent social activists so to show solidarity with the Goan Cause!! (5) Then there are those NRG's who come up with various excuses one classic example is that "if you want to do something for Goa then you should go back home"; to which I would like to say that me as an NRG in UAE has worked together with activists in my village of Colva, to achieve at least one well known/publicised success and another is on the way. I do not wish to state it at this point but if anyone credible wishes to know then please do email me. So please stop giving excuses and start acting!! If you do not want to do that, then at least stop supporting the publicising of Politicians Overseas. To be fair, glorifying of corrupt politicians in not only happening in Qatar but also in other countries like Kuwait, UAE, Oman etc The Future of Goa is in the hands of Goans and what we do today will decide the fate of Goa and Goans!! Dev Borem Korum, Arwin Mesquita, UAE. Please post your comments on my Blog: http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/ Please also see below: 1. Benaulim Village Action Committee: http://www.bvacbenaulim.blogspot.com/ 2. "Rape of Goa" : http://www.parrikar.com/blog/the-rape-of-goa/ 3. MAND - an adivasi-rights resource centre : http://mandgoa.blogspot.com/ 4. EVERY GOAN SHOULD SEE THIS VIDEO: http://infochangeindia.org/Infochange-documentary.html 5. Goa's Identity Movement group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//#/group.php?gid=193497031686 6. Official Government Site NRI Office (GOA): http://www.globalgoans.org.in/
