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Support growing the reading habit among Goa's next generation of achievers Bookworm Library and Magazine Bluebelle, Tamba Colony, St Inez, Goa Contacts: Tel: +91 9823222665 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are sometimes opportunities that come along silently in each one's lives that if availed, can change our entire direction. Many such opportunities have come my own way. Some I have taken and some I have just let drift away. In retrospect I can see how each one of those chances might have played a part for my better or worse. Hindsight in 2007 tells us what we Goans should and could have done for Goa from the day we became part of India. We have done many right things. We have raised our voices in the Opinion Poll that kept us forever from being absorbed by Maharashtra. We have raised the Goan consciousness in the rest of the country enough to give us our own state. And we partook in many other actions that played out positively for us. But our greatest sin has been to have voted in rascals as politicians to wield power over us. Time and time again. And moreover to have tolerated whatever they threw at us without words of protest for years and years. Our protest has been in the media, in our conversations and in our tiatrs. But never where it would most count - in our votes. We are subdued, but not completely yet. The popular agitation against RP 2001 showed that. The consciousness has been awoken but we are again confused as to where we should go. There seems to be no leadership, things seems hopeless and individually we seem to be too weak to counter the injustices that happen all around Goa. So we let them pass and without realising that very hopelessness gives greater strength to those politicians to whom neither Goa nor the Goans matter one whit. It is like the British who ruled the millions of India with only a few thousands of their people and a couple of hundred thousands of Indians who deemed it a privilege to work for the masters. It is like the Bombay gangsters who number no more than 100 to 300 of each of about 10 gangs. Yet they can hold to ransom 20 million Mumbaikars when they want to. And the police are mostly powerless because their orders to look away are given by the rogue politicians who come from all of the known parties, and who can control the entire machinery with mere phone calls. It is not too late to stir the ingredient that makes the destiny for Goa. Goa is thriving with the energy of the people who reside there, Goans and newcomers. But every day it thrives, more and more of it's blood is sucked away. Soon, the parasites will become larger than their hosts and then the thriving will stop. The moment will have passed and the bright future of Goa will have been imperilled. Goans must seek another way to get the rascals out. Goa's Su-raj Party has been on the sidelines. They seem to have the will to do good and be a force for a better Goa. And that itself deserves our full support. A few good men is all Goa needs, along with all of your votes. Who knows whether they can deliver what they promise. Who knows whether they turn out to be determined enough to withstand the pressures when they are on the hot seats. Only time can tell but they deserve that time. Work for them, speak for them. Give them your moral support and above all when the times comes give them your vote. That is the greatest strength you have. Perhaps the only strength. Roland. Roland Francis 416-453-3371