FRANKLY FRANK: Goa's future is a wake-up call

Goa faces a multitude of challenges including potholed roads, unsustainable development, deforestation and the all-pervasive garbage mounds by the roadside that are engulfed in stench.

Despite these issues, the State continues to attract tourists and has been the recipient of awards – they now seem fishy – that some view as mere public relations gimmick than a true reflection of their real worth.

Every day, we (the people), as unsuspecting and trusting voters, are fed a steady stream of falsehoods about the prospect of a better future ahead that seems more elusive than ever before.

We're being led to believe in a distant and out-of-reach mirage even as we grapple with the stark truths of our present times. And, what we face on the ground is turning our lives into a tumultuous and uncertain ordeal with each passing day. It's time to open our eyes and confront our today, bedevilled by enormous strife.

Our hillslopes are up for grabs for moneybags, who come to Goa with their ill-gotten wealth for the best of views while sipping on their vodkas and whiskeys in their balconies or rooms above. And, below, we end up with their overflowing septic tanks, leading to the gradual pollution of our water bodies and soil.

In Goa, what we see, day in and day out, is more of government and no governance. We have taken this lying down with no questions asked. In the House of 40 lawmakers, some politicians wield significant power while others merely serve as symbolic figures or are compliant followers.

The more powerful ones call the shots and dictate the direction of governance. Some among them have started believing Goa is their personal fiefdom and they can do as they please. However, they are not entirely to blame; we have permitted them to exercise such control over our lives. Certainly, the governance or the government in motion in our State is not the way democracy works.

We are witnessing concentration of power that undermines democratic principles, such as transparency, accountability and the equitable representation of all citizens.

Some leaders – we are all aware who – are acting with impunity and disregard to the needs and voices of the people. It signifies a breakdown in the democratic process, where the ideals of participation and fair governance are not being upheld.

Or else how do we explain poorly drafted Bills being introduced in the State assembly and later withdrawn after public outcry. This clearly suggests complete hollowness in the legislative process, where there are no debates and dialogues that take into account people and stakeholders' concerns. 

There’s a constant undermining of the credibility of our well-drafted legislative process. But, more than that, there is an erosion of public trust as governance is more reactive rather than proactive and problem-solving.

We have been conditioned to believe that wide roads are the true indicators of development. And, if you have truly started believing so, then please delve into what constitutes real development. Wide roads shrug off social concerns, quality of life and environmental impact and focus only on the economic aspect. It’s pertinent to maintain what has already been developed and not let it descend into a state of disrepair.  

The challenge before Goa is no doubt getting rid of its pot-holed roads and roadside garbage, but more than that it is time to take stock of the political mess that's driving us down the abyss of no return.

If you feel that politicians of today are politically unfit to govern then we too are to be blamed because all along we have been tolerating them. If the politicians have decision-making power, their authority is derived from the mandate given to them by us.

Therefore, it is our collective choice, preference and action that ultimately shape governance. So, it’s now time for us to start holding them accountable for every word they say and the laws they pass.

Goa is calling out to those who care about its preservation and prosperity. It has had enough of those who want to ruin its land, its ethos and everything beautiful it harbours.

This is the time for Goans, who call themselves sons of the soil, to show real commitment to fighting the forces trying to undermine its natural landscapes and its soul. Yes, Goa is calling out!