From: b sabha <bcsabha.kal...@gmail.com>
'Susegad Goenkar' Whenever I introduce myself as a Goan, the words muttered or whispered by those around me are, "Wow! cheap alcohol, feni, urrak, happy go lucky people, pubs & discos, drugs, ..." .& many more such things. I feel disgusted at such times. Is this what Goa is all about ? What about our hospitality, welcoming spirit, the kindness that overflows from our large hearts ? We cannot allow a few negative factors to overshadow our immensity of good things. I have seen what Goa was like when I was little. ...it was picturesque & blissful. It is good even now but not as mesmerising as it was then. Goa is beautiful ! No doubt about that. Some people would even say that it is like the Garden of Eden. This may not be literally true, we have no way to prove it. Thousands to tourists flock to our beautiful Goa everyday.Is it only because of all those unsavoury things happening there ? Is it because Goa is an exceptional place, endowed with silver sand beaches, lush green fields ,rolling hills, tall standing churches, sacred temples, & above all kind large hearted native Goans, who will invariably give you a glimpse of exquisite hospitality. However Goa is not the way it used to be. Hills have turned into plateaus or hollow valleys. The places where fields once existed are now occupied by huge buildings. The churches & temples seem to be loosing their peaceful ambience, reverence & serenity thanks to the increase in decibel levels. With innumerable shaks & rampant drug dealing the silver sands of our beaches seem to be turning brown & grey. The people are still large hearted, but are taken advantage of, bullied & robbed, as a result they seem to be loosing trust in people. Goa was known for the tall, singing coconut trees but now it is known as the land where coconuts grow on grass ! Dosen't it sound to you like a contradiction when it is said by some that the coconut tree is not a tree, but grass ? There is an attempt to strike it off the list of category of trees, so it does not fall under 'Save a Tree Campaign'. Goa was & hopefully still is , a place where Hindus, Muslims, Christians & others lived in peace & harmony. Whether one was a Hindu, Muslim or Christian, one took pride in visiting & appreciating Christmas cribs, Ganesh idols, & the customs & practices of one another. I never believed that religion divides. Different religions add variety & richness to our lives. People call us 'Susegad Goeankar' & many of us seem to enjoy the label, but "Sesegad' has the connotation of the stereotype of one who is slow, careless, lazy & happy go lucky. 'Susegad' for me would mean relaxed, peaceful, contented, & optimistic, a term referring to people who tackle problems & life challenges as & when they arise. So dear friend the next time somebody calls you 'Susegad Goenkar' you will know how to receive it & interpret it. "Live in Goa & Love Goa !!" --Infancio Pires sdb.
