LESSONS FROM AND AFTER CIPRIANO by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai (UAE)

We keep blaming politicians for the mess around us in our everyday life. I hear many saying there is no future in Goa and we are all doomed. Today we are sulking over what has happened to Cipriano and also there are many who are also sympathizing with this family who has lost this beloved one in a tragic case of alleged police brutality.

Most of them are only talking in thin air and so today the present generation of native Goans are bearing this burnt of mistakes made by a majority of ignorant and literate Goans who have been part and parcel of the game to destroy Goans and its future generations and identities, either directly or indirectly, by electing the corrupt and supporting this corruption with their faithful acts and deceiving deeds. Hence we are witnessing alarming cases of drug-politicians-police nexus, rapes, murders, increase in migrants, thefts, accidents, unnatural deaths, harassments, unemployment, rise of criminals and major land grabbing scams. This is the very reason why today every Goan has blood on their hands for the harassment or death of the innocent Goans be it the case of Cipriano, or a traffic related accidents, or any fabricated post mortem reports and cases of medical negligence.

We have a distinguished hallmark of being ‘’susegad’’ and highly dumb educated class for decades when it comes to defending our rights, we haven’t done enough to stem the rot, we have only spoken too little but failed to match our words with our actions and have only waited for others to take the lead in our fight against illegalities instead of being the torch bearers of change in every little way that we can contribute. We are more cowards and scared to face and fight for rights, we have been highly literate professionals and wisest of all fools who have been fooled by our own politicians for a pittance of favors, we have been taken for a jolly good ride and most of all we lack the courage of conviction and privilege to live in dignity and respect.

Comparing this with prostitution, even a prostitute has dignity and commands respected from their clients. They have gone in this profession not by choice but due to their poverty and further compulsion and obligation to provide a decent living to their dependents and little ones. Their very act of their caring attitude for their loved ones at the cost of their reputation is certainly more humane and dignified in nature because they take the responsibility to value the life of their loved ones and provide for them. Therefore weighing our silence and contribution to the chaos of present times against a scale with a prostitute (who due to explained reason, I would say has respect) on the other side of the scale, then where do we stand in dignity and ethics when it comes to valuing life and doing away with corruption and preserving our identity for our future generations to come? So what is the respect we command when we have blood on our hands? If we truly have a conscience then are we not responsible in some way or the other for these deaths and crimes against humanity? Have we not been part of terrorising and intimidating our innocent native Goan people at the hands of the corrupt politicians whom we have elected years after years, after years, after years and so on? Have we not been a part to the poverty and unemployment of our Goan brethren since we allowed our favored political class to create a migrant vote bank and gave them jobs and privileges in terms of free water and electricity at the cost of the taxpayers? Have we not deprived our innocent toddlers and kids of pure milk and clean water which are diverted to other sources through scams in PWDs and aided by water tankers?

I am certain and I have no doubt that our very own silence and failure to reason out and act in good faith (during elections) and ethics (in dealing with government servants, mamlatdars, talatis, PWD, TPD, Municipalities and panchayats) is going to destroy our future Goa of tomorrow. Our Ego and pride has superseded the bright side of our life and instead of fighting a combined battle for Goa, we are putting up a disunited front because of our selfish motives of occupying important status and posts in the various groups.

Had we drawn some serious lessons and learnt from the sacrifices from the rights of African Americans, the abolishment of Apartheid regime in South Africa by great activists like Nelson Mandela, the ejection of Taliban monsters from Afghanistan and the self immolation sacrifice of an unemployed youth which resulted in the doing away of the aggressive and draconian leadership in Tunisia, would we ever say again - ‘’Tem Kiem Zaovpachem Nam’’. However, I am proud and not only salute but also commend my few conscious native Goans who are acting in good faith to save Goa and will hand over the legacy of this rich Goan identity which we have inherited from the past to our future generations to come.