Dear Manoharbab,

I am writing this open letter to you because of my love for Goa, my deep concern for her future and fervent hope that you , along with your colleague, the ever so gentlemanly Shripadbhau Naik , will be my motherland’s best stewards in her journey ahead. I and very many like thinking Goenkars fromevery community , irrespective of their religion , caste , socioeconomic statusor political clout , believe that while there has been significant progress inGoa in some areas since we got the opportunity to govern ourselves after the first democratic general elections in December 1963, many things have become worse. To the great dismay and discomfort of the people of Goa, the circumstances in which they find themselves are on a downhill slide today.

There are four big problems facing us in Goa. The biggest problem is rampant corruption from the lowest level of the government bureaucracy to the office of the Chief Minister. It has made life difficult for the most vulnerable segment of our society – poor folk without connections, clout and status. They have to struggle to make ends meet, and bribe a bureaucrat or a minister with their meager earnings to obtain a shop license or even a low paying job. Not far behind is the squalor and filth in our neighbourhoods, on our roads, and on our beaches and river banks. This is compounded by the destruction of our scenic hills , invasion of our pristine fields and orchards , and degradation of roads, bridges and public spaces by years of public neglect and abuse. The final assault is from overburdening of all basic amenities due to unruly traffic, uncontrolled influx and settlement of migrant labour, and unregulated low-budget tourism.

Besides the above crises concerns, there are countless other urgent needs. Thousands of young Goans need to be educated at all levels each year. The old school and college buildings are falling apart. There are not enough committed teachers. Nothing short of major financial incentives for new recruitment and investment for new construction will change this state of affairs.

Furthermore, each year hundreds of students complete their post-secondary education from the many higher educational institutions that have sprung up in Goa. There are no jobs for them in our tiny state. They are forced to migrate to other places to make a living, to regain their dignity and self-esteem after a long futile and exhausting search for it in their birthplace. In the process, not only are they unable to contribute to Goa’s progress, but the public investment made in their education is not recouped for the immediate local benefit of the taxpayers who made it in the first place. This problem can only be solved by a concerted effort to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities by providing incentives for growth of local manufacturing plants, information technology firms, high technology companies, pharmaceutical outfits, chemical industries and green energy enterprises.

The public health care system in Goa is in a miserable state. Its flagship, the new Goa Medical College hospital building in Bambolim is already in serious disrepair. Moreover, it continues to fail in its repeated attempts to be the much needed fully functional tertiary level hospital in Goa offering affordable advanced treatment for the increasingly more common diseases afflicting Goans today, such as heart disease, cancer and stroke. The unfortunate victims of these scourges have to run to Mumbai, Belgaum, Bengaluru or Manipal to save their lives. Can the Goa government after 50 long years of bumbling not offer its people a decent shot at evading death from treatable conditions in their own place of birth? What a crying shame!

The changing world has created new demands as well as opportunities for growth in the 21st century. The old ways of governing have become a lumbering burden on society, and in many ways, have led to the decadence and corruption that we are struggling against. Fortunately, the advances in information technology and the internet offer us new solutions and make electronic governance a distinct possibility. The resulting reduced paperwork cuts down red tape and eliminates opportunities for bribes and kickbacks. Why can’t we have this in Goa? Why can’t we have computer controlled traffic lights and pothole-free, durable, concrete roads and highways? Why can’t we have a better, more modern airport without further delay?

We want a government that would tackle these problems in a pro-active, no nonsense manner. We believe that you have demonstrated the competence and vision required to head such an administration. We would like you to run for election on a plank and a promise that makes a positive difference to the lives of all Goans by taking concrete steps to eliminate corruption, to clean up our land, to tell miners and builders enough is enough, to build better roads and parking spaces, and to more strictly regulate migrant labour and tourism. Our environment needs to be preserved. Our heritage needs to be protected. Basic amenities such as water, sanitation, electricity and phone service must be made available 24 hours a day without interruption.

We would like to support a political campaign proposing, and a government implementing, clearly stated policies that would directly reverse the downward trends in all sectors of public life in Goa. We would like you to address serious weighty issues that affect the lives of all Goans, not special interests, voting blocks and powerful lobbies. We do not low quality jobs for votes and the use of raw money and muscle power to win entire constituencies. No more purchase of valuable votes in return for minor short to medium term gains but major long term suffering. We ask you to put an end to these shenanigans and political gimmicks and restore the Goan spirit where all communities unite towards a progressive future.

Goa must always remain a model of unity with a unified set of unique identities shaped by our entire recorded history within the Indian nation. Our Indianness is not apportioned to us on the basis of our religion , our individual tastes, our scripts and dialects or our medium of instruction. We are all Goans. We are all Indians.

So we ask you to carry this banner for us. A banner of unity, a banner of purpose, a banner of determination and a banner of service towards the betterment of all our people and our land irrespective of religion ,caste or socioeconomic standing . Please, please , Sir , lead us, upholding honesty and responsibility.

With warm regards, high hopes and best wishes,

Anand Virgincar

Email : amchemgoem.amkamzai@gmail.com