Mogal Goenkar!
Thank you Carmen, I know I have to write to you which I will next week
when we are officially on season's holidays.
Today, the 19 December 2010 sees the completion of 49 years under our
motherland INDIA!
Jai Ho, Jai Hind - we were been liberated from the Portuguese (as if we
were under bondage - Gholom!), the new government played Fair and Square
by giving the down trodden as gift the land to the tillers and our
mundkars were given the right to become badkars and vice versa. It is
only fair that wealth has to be distributed equitably as massing up of
wealth is like the rich man stuffing his barn with stock.
We received electricity in abundance after 19 December 1961 (prior to
which we were in the dark), education became accessible to everyone (not
only the few that could afford to go overseas) in Goa, tourism
flourished by way of invisible trade and Goa was put on the map by
India. Hale the Freedom fighters, who did what that did even behind bars
as they fought for our independence in their own special way. What a
sacrifice for the present and future generations of Goa. Goans are
thought/encouraged not to drink in bars owned by some of our people
including foreigners (I thought we got rid of them) - "Goans and Indians
not allowed" similar to the slogan used by the British "Indians and Dogs
not allowed" - Shabas - kitem Goenchea saiba, kakoot amchee kor ane
somzikai amcam dee!
The Real Estate business is the order of the day, the prices skyrocketed
no special treatment for Goans, the houses are nicely protected by
grills and some of them look like Fort Knox, the transport business
flourished and the taxi man became rich! During the last 49 years many
Goans left Goa and left it in the state that we are complaining of
instead of being responsible to stay and fight for it. I recall a
Keralite saying words to the affect when I lived overseas "If your own
mother does not carry for you, how do you expect another mother to look
after you" - We Goans instead of writing Xapotram on Goanet, we need
walk the talk instead of writing philosopham which are
good for nothing. I have raised my hands to Advocate Francis Braganza's
challenge if I am ready to come back and asked him a question, for which
I am still awaiting until the cows come home.
Let us all look forward for 50 years (half a century - four centuries
and one year one day to supersede the rule of Colonial power) of
Independence and surely there will be progress over the next 12 months -
half a century of change!
Utt Goenkara with your suit and boot; na zalear bhaile mateleh amcam Mutt!
Best wishes on the liberation day (hope you are all celebrating), Mary's
Christmas and a Happy New Year 2011 once again if I have wishes someone
of you already.
Mog sodanch assum
Oscar C. Lobo
From: Carmen Miranda
Dear All,
I have no illusions nor faith on local politicians in power in Goa.
While I agree we must all do something to save Goa, where ever we are in
the world, turning to people in the establisment like Eduardo Faleiro
and others, who are partly responsible for the state of affairs in Goa ,
is certainly not the solution.
Let's not waste time asking them for any help and certainly don't waste
time addressing any letters to the Chief Minister or any other minister
in Goa because they don't care, they never act on civilized popular
pressure and reasonable arguments, and they know very well that no
matter what , in the end of the day, they will get all the votes
necessary to continue in power when the next elections come.
What we need to do is try to figure out how to get rid of them and to
influence the results of next elections which are round the corner.
If you want to be effective we need to really and urgently find ways to
get alternatives to the current political parties fighting the
elections. We need to try everything to enable Suraj party and any other
alternative pro Goa party, and some independents to fight the elections
and have a few good honest and serious and educated candidates to stand
for these elections.
We need to educate and inform the electorate about the consequences of
voting for the same old politicians. We need to inform them of the
alternatives and the meaning of voting differently this time. We need
to inform the electorate about the real meaning (criminal) of voting
for someone who paid you 1000 rupees (what is the votes bribing rate
these days?) and the consequences of voting for such criminals and so on.
We need to mount a big information campaign in Goa , knowing we will not
get the local press and media to help in any way. We need to go from
village to village, from town to town and inform people face to face.
Goa is small and that can be done easily with some funding.
Furthermore, if you want to be effective don't write to the CM - write
to Sonia and write to the PM and send copies to the governor of Goa and
the Chief Minister. Perhpas that will shake Dingu a bit...that's all.
It is clear that Dingu Kamat is glued to the chair of CM of Goa, and
glued to the mining portfolio for over 12 years!!!! He has no conscience
and he apparently does not care about Goans.
We need to think clearly and strategically my friends. We need to
join forces and don't let bitterness from the past among some potential
alternatives to current candidates in Goa , get in the way of any
crucial efforts we need to mount together to dislodge at least a few
ministers from power and government.
We all must concentrate on the bigger picture and act beyond our
personal petty feelings and perceptions about someone who is basically
good but made a mistake at some point or the other. No one is perfect.
People make mistakes and learn from it. We need to distinguish between
genuine crooks and people who made genuine mistakes....and move on for
the sake of a better future for Goa.
Writing letters and petitions will not get us anywhere any longer. We
need to use the rule of law, the democratic rights, and public education
and local campaigns. We need to stop talking and do somethig concrete on
the ground.
Best wishes and Seasons Greetings
Carmen
