MIGRANTS SAVED THE FACE OF MICKKEY by L. Gomendes

BETALBATIM: We reached our destination early with time to give the place a decent run through. The whole affair commenced the only way it could have. It was a dull day as ever due to clouds hovering in the sky. Duller was the atmosphere around the Betalbatim Church until 6 PM this evening as the face of the birthday boy Mickky Pacheco was showing total embarrassment.

The embarrassment was due to his over expectations of the crowd that he intended to see. My mind, still dark from a previous night of beer-swilling nonsense, was unable or unwilling to understand why there were hardly a few people at the venue past the proclaimed time for the birthday bash of the Betalbatim politician.

It was a sad state of affairs, things just barely beginning and no sign of anything coming together. I considered what I am up against and asked myself: what sort of birthday party is this? Why am I here? Either way I began my walk in search of answers. I set out, scouting a possible place that might seem to provide me answers that I was searching.

According to close sources, there were more than 12,000 invitations sent around by his paid emissaries. However, until at around 7 PM, there were hardly a thousand crowd. Disappointment was a sort of bankruptcy on Mickky’s face, the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in false hope and expectation. Outside the venue were a few policemen controlling the vehicular movement. Slowly after sunset, more crowds started pulling in. To my astonishment, they were mainly migrants from different villages. I happened to stop a few and asked them the purpose of being there. I was told point blank that there were a few of Mickky’s supporters who asked them to be there in promise of free food and money. They were actually more interested to see the film actresses who would be on the stage. The program started with a welcome speech from the paid organisers. The panic on Mickky’s face was visible seeing the migrants and not the real Goans. As Radharao Gracias spoke at length asking Mickky to kick NCP and form a new party, the tempers amongst the public was raising. It was for the free alcohol and food. Some of the migrants were clearly heard asking “where is the food and beer”?

Then, as praise and self acclamation went on for a while, chaos reigned supreme amongst the hired crowd. Enthusiasm was followed by disappointment and even depression. There were speeches praising Mickky but not a word of his misdeeds and crimes was mentioned. There were a few projects declared. The crowd started to swell until it must have reached over 6000 as someone pointed out.

Most of the crowd was the migrants and hardly Goans were seen. Goans, whom I spoke to, were very critical of Mickky and one fellow was very arrogant when I asked him if he would like to take part in the food fiesta. I apologised and understood his anger directed at the immorality of Mickky. However, if not the migrants transported from different parts of Goa, Mickky would have completely lost his face.