MEMORIES OF GOLDEN DAYS by Dalia

What are your own memories of your golden days in Goa? Can you summarize? I am sure, you will particularly if you were born 50 years ago. And for the new generation, I beg to look into the history of Goa and know how peace prevailed alongside with total harmony.

I am not making a point to patronize our colonialists or ex-rulers but to simply compare the days then and now. Though we boast of progress and advancement, you will realize how we lost the great image of Goa and Goans. The peace, harmony and tranquility that prevailed is replaced by goondaism, corruption and destruction of Goa. And we talk about advancement, progress and peace in Goa? Still a dream to come true.

After liberation, Goa was slowly adultered by people with criminal records specially the ones those were released from Portuguese jails who came out as freedom fighters. In fact, some of them were locked up for crimes ranging from petty thefts to heinous crimes. Though India earned her independence from the British rule in the year 1947, Goa had remained a Portuguese colony. In the year 1961, erstwhile Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, sent armed forces and under name of ‘Operation Vijay’. This was never our liberation or victory of Niz Goenkars. We are still bonded to our politicians who are plundering Goa in broad day light.

Are we really liberated? Is there an administration that functions? Do we really have freedom? Are our children safe? Do we have safe roads? These are some of the questions we need to ask ourselves that may bother our minds after a deep thought. We may satisfactorily answer yes to convince ourselves to live with the present world. Do we really need a change? Yes, we seek a change and why? Then we need to visualize our previous answer.

Before the Portuguese, there was chaos in Goa. There were different factions and other criminals those were on a rampage. These criminals were taken control of by the Portuguese in their period of rule for over 450 years in Goa. Sooner, peace and harmony regained, prevailed and reigned over Goa. There was complete law and order. Petty crimes committed by small time criminals were counseled and those unruly characters were sent to jails. Those criminals languishing in jails at the time of Liberation suddenly declared themselves as Freedom Fighters, became overnight heroes. Their idea was simple, to eat the doles from the government and continue the trade of creating disharmony amongst the people. These so called liberators wanted Goa then to be a part of Maharashtra. If not Dr. Jack D’ Sequiera, our identity as Goans would have been lost. Today, we are in need of true liberation, we need a change to regain our freedom as Niz Goenkars and live happily as a community. Religion was never an issue with Niz Goenkars until after liberation, people infiltrated into Goa and the ugly issue of religion, caste, etc. showed up. This was fodder for the politicians who banked on these issues and started sugaring people by showing them sympathy. Now we have people classified into different categories, some does not need enough education to obtain jobs. Just like the Goan politicians who, some of them have no basic education and are ministers.

We assume that we live in liberated Goa. Under the present government, we have perfect freedom in democracy to loot and plunder wealth in foreign countries, in burning the country in the name of religion. We have perfect freedom to prove ourselves innocent in daylight murders those witnessed by so many. The common man is crying for justice, the poor man is crying for bread. The helpless people are looking for employment, to feed themselves. We do not want BJP or Congress, UGDP, MGP or NCP but a system that works efficiently like in the Portuguese era that provided everyone a decent, simple square meal. People lived in harmony though education was not widespread. Today, people are searching for social justice and to lead a normal life. Goa was not destroyed by the ex-rulers but by our own people who suddenly woke up from slumber and found a lot of power in their muscles. By those who suddenly became rich through illegal means, nefarious activities, smuggling, looting. A few married older women to see their early death or by getting rid of them, inherited their properties. Some got rid of the actual owners of the shops and properties and grown muscles over them. This was unlike in the olden golden days in Goa. It was not even permitted.

Goa is looted by the present breed of politicians. The more of them are in South with corrupt politicians like Churchill, Alex Sequiera, Joaquim Alemao, Mauvinho Godinho, Digambar, Mickey and atop of them Ravi Naik. In North, the highest bidder of Goa, Monserrates, Narvenkars and the Ranes. Rests of the others are no lesser corrupt.

During BJP rule, the freedom of expression religion was at stake. The same is happening within Congress rule except that they don’t mingle with religion. In olden era, no matter who ruled Goa, the case was different. There was equality, humanity practiced with respect. The best of all was the law and order situation. Churches, temples and other religious places were untouched though doors to these institutions were weaker with a single padlock. Fear of God prevailed, fear of the law was high in the minds of the crooks. In today’s administration, police personnel are involved in selling drugs, the Home Ministers son is involved in drugs trade. Goa is turning into the next Mexico. The International criminals can have a free passage back to their countries. What else do we need to destroy Goa? Prostitution was seldom heard of, there were no massage parlours and of course, peace prevailed along with harmony. In those golden days, we had church, temple and mosque festivals. Now we have so many festivals. Beer festivals, dance festivals filled with drugs, prostitution and crime. The latest addition is the International Filth (a.k.a film) Festival for the rich and the famous to spend tax payers money. The common man cannot afford this so is out but his share of tax goes to foot the bills of the high class delegates those attend these festivals. Our CM and other ministers are busy lighting candles and blessing these festivals. Security, police and everyone engaged to give a class reception to these delegates.

Who cares about the real Niz Goenkars? Who will light the candle for them? Who will make them happy ensuring a good living? Some politicians are even famous with their photographs disbursing cheques to poor souls falling under BPL (below poverty line) as if it is their fathers’ property. It is mere Rs. 1000 pm.

The hope is Niz Goenkar, if only each one of us think and act like NIZ GOENKARS and make a change. Kick the fists of the rouges, illiterate politicians when they offer money to vote. Change, change the change to Niz Goenkar. The memories of Golden days can’t fade and the thoughts grow deeper into my mind. One thought that strikes me- What is the future of our youth? Will they be the victims of these present set of politicians?