A LESSON TO BE LEARNT FROM CIPRIANO CASE - Received by email

We keep blaming politicians for the mess around us. I hear people say there is no future in Goa and that we are all doomed. A recent example is the tragic case of the late Cypriano, a victim of alleged police brutality. While most of us sympathize with his family, sadly, we have no one but ourselves to blame.

The present generation of native Goenkars is bearing the brunt of the mistakes made by a majority of Goans who have been part and parcel of the game to destroy Goa and its future generations and identities, either directly or indirectly, by electing the corrupt and supporting corruption. Hence, we are now witnessing an alarming rise in cases of drug-politician-police nexus, rapes, murders, an increase in the number of migrants, thefts, accidents, unnatural deaths, harassment, unemployment and major land-grabbing scams.

This is the very reason why every Goan, today, has blood on his/her hands. We are responsible for the harassment or death of innocent locals, whether it is the case of Cypriano, traffic-related accidents, or even cases of medical negligence.

We are known for being 'susegad', and when it comes to defending our rights, we haven't done enough to stem the rot. We have spoken, but failed to match our words with actions. We wait for others to take the lead in the fight against illegalities instead of being the torchbearers of change in every little way we can. We are cowards and scared to fight for our rights. We have been fooled by our own politicians, been taken for a ride, and most of all, we have failed to show our courage of conviction and privilege to live in dignity and respect.

Weighing our silence and contribution to the chaos of present times, 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? 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 a part of terrorizing and intimidating our innocent native Goan people at the hands of corrupt politicians whom we keep electing year after year? Are we not partly responsible for the poverty and unemployment of our Goan brethren by having allowed our favored political class to create a migrant vote bank and give them jobs and privileges in terms of free water and electricity at the cost of 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 the public works department (PWD)?

I have no doubt that our silence and failure to reason out and act in good faith (during elections) and ethics (in dealing with government servants, mamlatdars, talathis, PWD, municipalities and panchayats) is going to destroy Goa's future further. Our ego and pride has taken centre stage, and instead of fighting a combined battle for Goa, we are putting up a disunited front because of our selfish motives of occupying an important status and post in various organizations.

Had we drawn some serious lessons and learnt from the abolishment of the 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 again say "Tem Kiem Zaovpachem Nam''. Having said that, 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.