Senior Rane’s statement against Goan NRIs is distasteful. Goans have given a lot to him, elected him as longest serving MLA, as Chief Minister of Goa for most number of years, given him love, respect and so much more. Is this the way of reciprocating them back?
If Rane sits backs and reflects, he will realize what he said is terribly wrong. He should take his time off, have a sip of tea or coffee and read autobiographies on our great leaders like the “Mahatma” whose life has been a message in so many ways. At a time when untouchability was at its peak and certain works were meant to be done only by certain people, there came Gandhi who believed otherwise and led by example. In the Ashrams which he founded, he demonstrated that no work was superior or inferior to the other. For Gandhi and the rest of the Ashram dwellers, cleaning of toilets and surroundings became a regular voluntary job which they considered sacred. Performing such tasks was done not only with a sense of duty but it gave them immense pleasure as well. To the rest of the Country, it gave important lessons on equality, hygiene and sanitation. The “Swacch Bharat Abhiyan,” or “Clean India Mission,” which has been launched now has been done so to honour the great Mahatma and his thoughts. No profession is unholy. Those who keep our cities and surroundings clean in fact deserve all the more respect because it is an extremely tedious and difficult job. Remember the dialogue in the Bollywood Blockbuster Munnabhai MBBS, which touched our hearts?: “MUNNA: Kaka, naam kya hai tumhara? SWEEPER: Kyon, complain karne ka hai? Maksood naam hai mera. Jao, karo. MUNNA: Nahi, complain nahi karne ka hai….thank you bolne ka hai. Tum bahut mast kaam karta Hai maksood bhai…..patient log jab thik hota hai na to sab doctor ko thank you bolte hai. Tum sabka kacharpatti uthata hai tum ko koi thank you nahi bolta. Mere ko tum ko thank you bolne ka hai. Maksood bhai. Thank you. Sweeper: Chal, bus, rulayega kya?” Rane’s feudal mindset is horribly wrong and he has rightly faced the wrath of the people. The least he can do now is to show some grace and apologise. warm regards Sandeep Heble