Commentary
 

Lamberto Mascarenhas …A Fierce Fighter at 94 Excerpts of Article By Tomazinho Cardozo NAVHIND TIMES - GOA Lamberto Mascarenhas disclosed that Goans went abroad in search of lucrative jobs. When the time came to return, they preferred Europe, Canada, USA or Australia to Goa. They settled in those countries. They now want that the Goa government should protect their properties and houses. They are now trying to advise us on what to do and what not to do in Goa while residing elsewhere in the world. If you are really interested in the good of Goa then come back to Goa and work with us for its development. Do not give us tall sermons on issues of development, he thundered. The Gomant Sharada Puroskar, for the year 2006-2007, was conferred on one of the most illustrious son of Goa, Lamberto Mascarenhas , creative writer, editor and above all a freedom fighter, by Ram Niwas Mirdha, chairman of Sangit Natak Akademi, New Delhi at a special function held recently in the Black Box of the Kala Akademy, Panaji. The Gomant Sharda Puroskar is the highest honour conferred on a Goan by the Kala Akademy of Goa. While replying to this felicitation, 94-year-young Mascarenhas said, I never expected that I would be honoured with this prestigious award because I was under the impression that this award was for those who excel in literature in local languages. It was not Mascarenhas alone who was under this impression; there were many people in Goa, including me, who felt that many deserving Goans are neglected at the time of selection of personalities for this award. The highlight of the function was an inspiring speech by Mascarenhas. At ninety-four, the way he expressed his views on various aspects of Goa, he appeared to be a knowledgeable, mature and concerned Goan of just less than say forty-nine. His mind is sharp, his thinking process is logical and, above all, his witty and humorous attitude towards life kept the august audience spellbound for almost 30 minutes. It is worth thinking about, discussing and finding solutions for the issues raised by Mr Mascarenhas. In his speech, he disclosed that he along with other freedom fighters had fought for the liberation of Goa without expecting anything in return. We wanted that the domination of Portugal over Goans must end, he stressed. He showed great disappointment in the way Goa’s administration is being run today. There are no values in the political life of Goa. The greed for money and political power is destroying Goa, he remarked. Speaking on the issue of influx of non-Goans, he advised Goans not to look at them with a negative mindset because in today’s Goa they are needed to carry on different types of manual work, which unfortunately Goans hesitate to do. Goans will be handicapped in their day-to-day jobs in the absence of non-Goans, he stated. He was bitter about the attitude of the non-resident Goans towards Goa. He disclosed that Goans went abroad in search of lucrative jobs. When the time came to return, they preferred Europe, Canada, USA or Australia to Goa. They settled in those countries. They now want that the Goa government should protect their properties and houses. They are now trying to advise us on what to do and what not to do in Goa while residing elsewhere in the world. If you are really interested in the good of Goa then come back to Goa and work with us for its development. Do not give us tall sermons on issues of development, he thundered. This journalist did not spare the media too. Responsible journalism is the need of the hour and as journalists it is their duty to uphold the ethics of journalism. He appealed to them to be more thorough professionals and report facts without fear. He also advised Goans not to evaluate the performances of various governments that have ruled the liberated Goa with a negative attitude. There are numerous positive developments that have taken place since liberation. Education, industries, infrastructure like roads, electricity, water supply, telephone, etc, have advanced by leaps and bounds. In spite of all the drawbacks of our democratic system Goa has progressed a lot after liberation, the freedom fighter in Mr Mascarenhas expressed. All the Goans who love Goa should emulate Mr Mascarenhas attitude towards life in general and Goa in particular. His body may be frail but his thoughts are as tall and strong as they were 50 years ago. He fought for Goa’s liberation with other freedom fighters, he fought for the development of Goa and for transparent and people-friendly governance as editor of numerous publications including dailies and monthlies, he fought for societal values through his innumerable write-ups in various newspapers/magazines, and even today, at 94, the fighter in him is not only alive but vibrant, energetic, pulsating and highly infectious.

Goan Identity Erodes With Onslaught Of Migrants Merinews - New Delhi,India http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=135616 One day, Goans will be strangers in their own land. The Goan identity will fade away and they will be left repenting, for having flirted with danger and damaged their birthplace. It's time Goans wake up and initiate saving their identity. . CJ: Armstrong Vaz , GOA is tiny, with a finite carrying capacity and is already saturated. The Goan population is extremely small compared to other communities in India. We (Goans) cannot withstand the current high-inflow of migrants. It will lead to severe civic, social and economic disturbance, will obliterate the Goan- identity, turn Goa into an unpleasant hovel like other urban Indian areas," writes Rajan Parrikar, an America returned Goan on Goanet, which is a Goan mailing group on why Goa does not need more migrants. Yes, Goa and Goans are angry and are facing the ire of the agitating groups, trying to protect Goa from mega projects and Special economic zones (SEZ). What is at stake and why are Goans fighting to protect the land and Goan identity? Goa has its charm, which has been attracting many to the land over the last several years. One gets enchanted with the picturesque landscape of Goa, which possesses rich and varied charms at different altitudes. But large concrete structures are threatening the beauty and ecology of the place. Goa at present is getting a cosmopolitan look. Dangers are expressed that Goan identity will soon fade away. "Utt Goenkara! Utt Goenkara! (Goans, awake from your slumber) It is for long that you have taken things in your stride. Time has come to rise from your slumber. Time has changed tracks on a fast lane for you for long. Long for you, to take things around you for granted. The sudden gush of winds of change will at least make your wiser in thought. "The issues affecting Goa and Goans are a grim reminder to each one of us to rise above our narrow mentalities and unite, instead of pulling each of our fellow Goans down over trivial things. Trivial things, which can be sorted out and where fences can be mended," a speaker cautions and exhorts Goans at a mammoth meeting in south Goa called to oppose mega housing projects, to jell together. The peace and tranquility of Goa has many a countrymen move to this land. For years we have played good hosts, had guests from all over the world. We do not know what our next door neighbour who has taken a house, flat or a small room for rent would turn out to be. The next door neighbour may vary from being a pedophile, murderer, terrorist, rapist, swindler, property grabber, drug peddler, pimp, prostitute. We do not check the antecedents of the persons. We want to do business. Business of quick money in giving the premises on rent. Lest we may lose business to another competitor. The lust to grab a few crisp notes makes us ignore the face of threat we invite upon ourselves. The police on their part are happy with their daily routine, collections of hafta from the various persons in business. The compilation of strangers’ data in every nook and corner of his beat has taken a back seat. Utt Goenkara is an non-militant way. Violence does not serve our cause. So next time around when you sell the land, take a cautious route. Route of inquiring and prodding a few minutes or for hours to find the reality. Your conscious will be clear that you had made an effort and that you were unsuccessful is a different thing. So do not sell your soul, your land, your pride, your ego and play with your life and the life of other fellow beings. The migrants are blamed for the ills but take deep breathe. Where does the mason, the carpenter, the barber the tile fitter, the labourer in your market or the beach sports operator come from. The Biharis, the UPites, have made inroads into the trades. Gone are mason from Pernem who built outhouses during our childhood days. Some of them are still living in our villages in Salcete far from their land in Pernem and greet us, but they had for long forsaken their professions. The barber who used to cut our hair till last five years back has changed his shop from a barber’s shop to another goods selling shop. His children like others low menial jobs have changes tracks to another profession or gone for white collar jobs and even migrated to America. In my village Cuncolim, the best of the mechanics and the best carpenters from Demani Cuncolim are decreasing with every passing year. So painting all migrants as bad will not serve our cause. The migrants come for their livelihood and they for one would not like their livelihood to be destroyed in one stroke. The drug pushers and the drug lords of the coastal belt are the one who are more of a threat. A threat, in the long run when they will control all around and push things for them. Already there is buzz of the Kashimiris and the Russians combining to control the drug trade in north Goa beaches. The buzz of the Russian mafia controlling and pushing drugs according too their own will and having bought a few houses in the north Goa, the Russians are looming power on the horizon for the state and the people of north coastal areas to have a effective check. Fears are expressed that three to five years from now, the Russian mafia would be a strong one in North Goan beach belt. Russian mafia dons pushing files at the highest level of government through their belly of beauties and flesh trade is slowly creeping in. Finally, it will be the insiders who sell the soul for Goa for a few extra pennies who are the greatest threat to Goa and Goans. Politicians too will face the music on their own turf when they will be out staged with a Bihari and a UPite giving a dent to his hopes some years down the line.