THE FARMHOUSE AT PORVORIM WHICH RUNS GOA brought to you by Roger D'Souza

We cannot elect donkeys and expect stallions says Dr Joe D’Souza - Received by email
Charles Darwin in his essays on Evolution had asserted: In the process of evolution, the fittest survive and propagate. Thus, the natural process of selection and elimination involves a process of adaptation and mutation to counter the forces of extinction which are directed towards inhibition and elimination.

I do not wish to delve into details on the finer aspects of evolutionary biology, but only wish to make a point that virulence, toxicity and aggressiveness are not the only ways by which the stronger species overcome and overpower their prey.

They can also achieve it by remaining passive, dormant or using the aggressive behaviour of the opponent to subdue or counter, which is also a very important trait employed in the battle of wits for survival. While the snake can be venomous and kill an aggressive tiger, a clever mongoose which is a far too small a creature, is able to kill the deadly snake.

I would like to reflect on these three years of Digambar Kamat’s rule as the Chief Minister of Goa using the evolutionary approach to the Goan political scenario.

A pessimist sees the glass half-empty; while the optimist considers the same glass as half-full. The glass of Digambar Kamat’s reign is 70 per cent full and now only 30 per cent of his five year term still remains to be completed. The three turbulent years of Digambar’s rule were threatening to overturn his cup of governance at least on two major occasions.

The farmhouse our elected representatives inhabit at the Goa Assembly complex has seen how 5-star hotels, the mining lobby and the drug mafia prosper and grow. Goa Assembly complex is devoid of those who exhibit the traits of the stately tigers, and the graceful lions. There are however a few who are faithful dogs, cats and horses, reared both by the major political parties and the Chief Minister himself. These have helped him survive and overcome the political turbulence during the last three and half years.

The common man of Goa is forced to accept all that happens at the farmhouse at Porvorim. There are those who are harsh and declare that Digambar is a chief minister whose rule is lacklustre and unproductive. The state of Goa, his detractors claim, is full of chaos, crime and corruption.

There are those others, who are generous and objectively state that the three years of Digambar’s rule were filled with concrete actions and decisions. Be it the stalling of the Regional Plan 2011, abolishment of the SEZs brought in by the Rane government, or the recently established Flying Squads, to bring down the growth of mega building projects, rampant hill cuttings and the destruction of our ecology. But, are they effectively functional? This is not easy to address.

Looking objectively under the ecosystem prevailing around the Goa Assembly complex, Digambar in my viewpoint assumes the role of the ‘humble mongoose’, taking cover under duress of the pestilence and the virulence, which is all around.

The Aam admi in Goa is not expecting much from Digambar Kamat, who is surrounded by the poisonous reptiles in Goa governance, who have paralyzed our society with crime, corruption and draining our public exchequer. Needless to say, if Digambar uses his ‘mongoose instinct’ to strike the poisonous snakes or against the political scorpions dominating the seat of power in Goa Assembly, the rodents in the farmhouse and the bulls in the Assembly complex, would gang up to ensure Digambar is eased out of his chair, causing even more havoc in Goa.

In the animal farm Digambar does not pose as a lion or a power hungry tiger, for he knows that he would soon be the victim of a bite or sting from lethal colleagues sucking the blood of the common man. Through sins of omission, commission and manipulation, Digambar survives.

Goans know full well about contractors giving commission for infrastructure projects and that illegal gratification is the order of the day in all ministries and government departments. Licenses are granted for a price whether it is mega projects, destruction of forest land, excise scams, illegal mining, power pilferage, health scams.

It is not about live and let live. It is about eating or cheating together as along as one does not cut off the hand that feeds you. For Goans, corruption is the way of life today. The big brother from Delhi often brokers stability for Goa through suitcase diplomacy, using the carrot and stick system to ensure discipline at the animal farm at the Assembly complex. The Aam admi is left watching the circus and paying for the shows with high taxes.

As you sow, so shall you reap; as you give, so shall you receive. You cannot expect donkeys to perform like stallions. We have elected those who live by corruption and expect Digambar to deliver mangoes on blades of grass. Come on Goans, be practical and realistic. University doctorates and High Priests are not representing you. Those who swear at or scream against Digambar Kamat should realize that you get the government you deserve. The Aam admi in Goa does not see beyond his home comforts.

Digambar’s has had to deliver steadily under stress and strain of a fractured mandate, under the dubious Congress framework where nominations for party tickets are based not on loyalty or performance, but on price.

Some may give Digambar bouquets for his three and half year rule. There are others who would shower him with brickbats, but I, in all humility, would encourage him to better his performance under serious constraints, threats and severe handicaps. We must learn to count our blessings and also appreciate the consequences of our own passive outlook. As Digambar rightly says, Goans do not want to pay parking fees in Goa, but once in Belgaum, they meekly pay Rs5 per hour.

As of today, we do not have the Regional Plan 2011. Would we have the dubious SEZs flooding Goa with hordes of migrants? The notorious camel in the MPT is still actively pursuing the goal of changing the face of Goan coastline and our traditional occupations. Digambar has played his role to retard the rate of degradation of Goa and reduce the adverse impacts in a limited way.

Goa is degrading slowly, but the aam admi too, is at fault. We are today in the Golden jubilee year of Goa’s Liberation. May I wish Digambar well that he may profitably use the funds released by the Centre to his government to help improve the quality of life of the people of Goa, which is deteriorating alarmingly in all aspects.

It has been a growing trend in Goa to condemn and criticize the government of the day, but to do precious nothing to stem the rot and offer a constructive approach. Give me blood and I will give you freedom was Netaji’s call to the nation, while the British were ruling India. Goa today requires sweat and blood and not a lackadaisical acceptance from Goans. Digambar Kamat would require support through positive actions of the common man directed towards saving himself from the growing menace inflicting our society without expecting the Chief Minister alone to deliver.