Balancing Goan society’s growth

In the past such threats to Goa's existence were gallantly faced by Goans. The evil designs of merging Goa into Maharashtra were defeated way back in 1967 when true Goans won the historic opinion poll.

The victory prevented merger of Goa into Maharashtra and paved the way for its statehood within the Union of India. In 1986 Goa witnessed the bloodiest agitation ever—the Language Agitation—in which seven Konkani lovers lost their lives in order to make Konkani the official language of Goa.

Subsequently, Goa was declared the 25th fullfledged state in the country. Both these issues were very dear to Goans and hence the people of Goa, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, fought tooth and nail to preserve Goa and its identity.

Democratically governed Goa tasted new challenges as time passed. In 1990, for the first time, the political cancer called "defection" took birth in the state of Goa.

A democratically elected government was destabilized and a new government of selfish and greedy politicians came in its place. "Democracy" was defeated in the so called literate state of Goa. This cancer of defection, since then, has taken firm roots in the political field of Goa and every government that administered Goa, including the present government, was/is threatened by this virus of defection.

Corruption has become a way of life. Leaders as well as citizens today do not consider taking and giving bribe an offence. This is a dangerous trend which can lead Goan society to doom.

There are strict laws to prevent corruption. If these laws are implemented sincerely and impartially corruption can be eliminated. But it is practically impossible because the guardians of the law themselves indulge in corrupt activities.

Unemployment is another challenge that creates dissatisfaction among the youth of the state. Goa produces a lot of professionals as well as graduates and postgraduates. Unfortunately very few are accommodated in the state of Goa.

Most prefer to go out of Goa due to the following reasons: (a) Unencouraging salary, (b) fewer promotional avenues and (c) no scope for professional growth. It is sad to note that graduates and postgraduates attend interviews for the posts meant for undergraduates.

According to a national survey, although Goa has bagged the first place in the health sector, is is not completely

healthy. If one has to believe in statistics on Goa's health, the number of AIDs cases in Goa is on the increase.

Sanitation and cleanliness, particularly in the villages, is not up to the mark. The increase of slums too adversely affects the health of the state.

Another very serious issue that threatens the Goan society is the deterioration of value system. Values dear to Goans

such as respect to elders, caring for the old and sick, helping the needy, are waning away. Age-old communal harmony among Goans is threatened. Goans are becoming more communal minded day by day. Unfortunate indeed!

Destruction of Goa's environment in the guise of development goes unabated day in and day out. Goan youth aping the West in all aspects of life also pose a great danger to the survival of Goan culture.

To add to this misery is the influx of non-Goans into the state. If this is notstopped, in a decade's time, undoubtedly Goans, in their own state, will be outnumbered by non-Goans.

There is no doubt that during the last 50 years Goa has progressed tremendously in all fields. At the same time, along with the development, numerous evils have entered society. Development will have no meaning if we cannot arrest the ills that accompany development.

Therefore it should be the duty of every political party, every political, social and religious leader and every citizen of Goa to identify the evils that come with development and take immediate action to minimize their existence. If we succeed in curbing the ill effects of development then only we will have the much desired balanced growth of Goa and Goan Society.