To Goanet -
For Part 1, go here - For my first post on this topic, see - http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2011-December/216487.html Part II Expectedly, the hogwash about Goa at 50 has started oozing from all quarters of the Indian media. For instance, this by Rajdeep Sardesai - http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/62999/rajdeep-sardesai-is-goa-losing-its-sheen.html Notice that he starts off with a weasel title. Anybody who knows anything about Goa knows the answer to his question - that Goa is now a slummy swamp, much like the rest of India. But the following brainburp by Rajdeep caught my eye: "To see Goa as an unchanging rural idyll would be to do disservice to an increasingly aspirational society. Goa cannot be confined to a picture perfect postcard where 'susegado' (or relaxed, timeless fun in Konkani) remains its calling card." This has now become a standard line, mostly used by outsiders who want to justify their own 'contribution' to Goa's burden. Others will then repeat this nonsense as if it is a piece of insightful wisdom. It is especially sad to see it coming from someone of Goan origin. First of all, why can't Goa continue to be a rural idyll? I can cite several rural idylls around the world that have done well economically, have all the modern conveniences, but continue to retain their past landscape, charm, and culture. The truth is, INDIA WON'T LET GOA REMAIN AN IDYLL, RURAL OR OTHERWISE. But saying this is not politically fruitful, for only the Goans will agree with this sentiment, and who gives a damn about what Goans actually think and want for Goa? All this is, is a clever attempt to discredit those Goans who protest the Indian assault by painting them as romantics living in the past, presumably without any "aspirational" goals. Furthermore, as I have written in posts past, the "Goa must change with the times" line is a convenient cliché to mask reality. Goa has changed, yes, but this "change" is more accurately described by another word: DECAY. Decay is also "change." Does this "change" that you advertise have the consent of the majority of Goans? Where did YOU get the right to impose your version of "change" on Goa? Oh I get it, Indians always have "rights" - the right to grab, the right to piss, the right to sh*t anywhere anytime. The other example I have is by Naresh Fernandes. http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/goa-uses-anniversary-to-reimagine-itself/ He gives a quote from one Nandini Sahai about Goans : "Every second person I meet seems to be a writer, poet or artist." See what I meant earlier about puffing up the Goans' ego via flattery? Sahai does not even try to be subtle about it. This is what passes for Indian writing today. I am always amused by the gaggle of brown toadies that the Western media unfailingly turns to to "explain" India (in this instance, Goa). It helps if you have done janitorial duty at one of the Oxbridge campuses (extra points if you have taken a dump on Hindus at some point). Names that come to mind - Rushdie, Amitava Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, Pankaj Mishra, and suchlike (*). Folks who have their tongue hanging out to lap up that next crumb tossed by the white master - the Booker, the Nobel (in Rushdie's case), and so on. It is sad to see someone presumably of Goan origin peddle this hogwash. (*) Read Richard Crasta's "Impressing the Whites" for more on this topic. I now leave you with this video made by Dr. Kamat, that is both a literal and a metaphorical statement on today's Goa. Anybody came come in, pitch his tent, and foul the nest, no questions asked - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK1UfegecNQ&lr=1 Regards, r --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------