Goa's new Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai took oath replacing B S Koshyari and instantly touched the very heart of the State speaking on tourism and other issues while also assuring to work towards strengthening social and religious integrity. The soft-spoken leader embarks on his new journey on a positive note but has a huge wave of expectation from the people of the State.
Hailing from Kerala, Pillai will be essentially looked upon to bring a freshness of thought to our tourism, given the fact that both states have been competing for a similar tourism pie, albeit the difference in approach. While Kerala has been adopting an inclusive and nature-driven approach tagged with 'God's Own Country' by capitalising on its expanse of natural resources, Goa has been largely following a Westernised blueprint apart from the sand and surf that is marketed. Goa has reasons to look upon Pillai for a tourism reboot not only because he hails from Kerala, but also because he comes from Kerala's Alappuzha district, a place referred to as the Venice of the East widely known for its exotic backwater sites, boat races and boat cruises that have caught the attention of the world.
Apart from tourism, Pillai has committed himself to work towards religious and social integration of people, a task which he could find extremely challenging here. Given the upheavals in recent times, he would be expected to be more of a people's watchdog and feel the pulse of common citizens. Goans would look forward to Pillai taking up their causes and issues with the State government and be a neutral negotiator advising the powers of the day on failures while suggesting a course correction. Governors lately have been very receptive to social issues, and that’s a huge positive. A glaring example is Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan going on a fast at his official residence against the evil practice of dowry, days after a series of dowry deaths rocked the State.
Unfortunately, governors have also been often judged by their political background and labelled as 'rubber stamps' carrying forward the will of the government. Pillai will face a crucial test here because he has a strong BJP background, having started his political career with the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the party, before rising to the ranks of the State BJP President and then appointed as the governor of Mizoram in 2019. Binding forces divided across the political divide could be an uphill task, especially against the baggage he is carrying, and this is where he will face another crucial test of winning the confidence of political players.
Not all governors have been listening to the voices of their masters, and Goa has recently seen Satya Pal Malik, a BJP face, yet a fiercely outspoken person on issues affecting people. It requires bravado and an unflinching resolve to stand up against injustices to citizens, and it needs even greater courage to stand up against those who are on the same side of the fence.
Governors are expected to play a pro-active role and be partners in the progress of the State they are posted. Pillai has been a prolific writer since 1983 and has published over 121 books in both English and Malayalam. The question before every Goan is whether he can script a new chapter of sustainable development with the welfare of people in mind. Only time will tell. Over to you, Your Excellency.
