FRANKLY FRANK: Goa, listen to the urgent call of conscience

We are at the edge of uncertainty where the future holds a sense of dread, and now it is clear the choices we make today will determine whether we emerge stronger or succumb to the forces that seek to consume our future.

The signs are alarming, but we are blind to them. Greed has taken centre stage, and our wants have overshadowed our needs. All the things in nature can't belong to us; that's the reason we have to leave them alone.

Looking at the gradual destruction of nature around us, Goa, a paradise, could also be moving towards disasters like the ones we see happening all around the country. If we disregard nature, our beloved mother, it will be like turning our backs on her.

As the call to action grows to save what is left of Goa, the government too is duty-bound to take note of people's voices and correct course.

But there are certain politicians within the government, who are consumed by their egos, prioritising their personal agendas over the collective needs of the people and communities they serve.

Such politicians need to be shown the door because in a democracy people's power is supreme. Right now, in Goa, it appears that people's pleas and political will are awfully out of sync.

Even as people decry land-use irregularities, large-scale alleged illegal land deals are happening behind tightly closed doors so that the hushed talk of these deals are not heard outside.

Goa's politicians should realise the true test of their leadership will be measured by their willingness and choice to listen and act for the greater good of the people and the State. But are they willing to toe people's line?

Those who are behaving like masters must wake up to the realisation that they are not rulers, but public servants entrusted with the responsibility of guiding and nurturing their constituents. In short, they are stewards of public trust, and if they don't live up to that trust, they have no moral right to occupy the high seats of responsibility.

When we talk of public trust, it means each decision they make, each policy they draft, should be a reflection of their sacred duty as guardians of this beautiful State, we so lovingly call Parshuram bhumi (land of Parshuram).

Remember, politicians are there to honour the principles of democracy and affirm their commitment to the welfare of all. And, as voters, it is also our moral obligation to see that when our politicians do wrong or fail, we need to correct them.

Also, as voters, we hold more than just a right; we carry a moral obligation to ensure that our elected representatives adhere to the values and principles we cherish.

The winds of change are blowing over Goa, but the kind of change we are seeing is not very encouraging. All that is palpable is the relentless advance of marauders, who are out to plunder and exploit Goa's soul for profit. Anywhere in the world, it is true that when the land suffers, its people suffer deeply -- it's a sense of betrayal that will be passed on to generations.

As of today, our values as Goans are being tested, even as our future seems uncertain. A time will come when we will find ourselves standing at the crossroads where our conscience will call out to us -- did we do all things right? where did we fail?

Before we get to the crossroads, we need laws as robust and unwavering as the beliefs that guide us today.

Our politicians should stop giving us just lip service and put their minds to work towards a legislative framework which has the strongest measures to save our land, culture and heritage in the face of rapid change.

And for Goans, irrespective of what's up the sleeves of their politicians, it is a race against time to preserve what remains of Goa's identity before it is consumed entirely by the dragons of greed and neglect.