Goa celebrated its 35th Statehood day with pomp with the Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula reverberating in festivity and goodwill as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and leaders echoed popular sentiments broadly touching on the much-hyped infrastructural development that Goa has achieved over the years. This Statehood day was indeed grandiose and had every reason to be since it came alongside Goa’s 60th year of liberation. But sadly while the political class soaked in the optics of the moment that provided a feel-good factor, the dark underbelly of a State that is fighting a losing battle of identity was conveniently kept out of the discourse.
The only significant contribution to the day came from Sawant when he stated that July 15 will be commemorated as National War Memorial Day every year, and secondly the point where he stressed the need to promote the use of Konkani in the administration and develop the regional language. He even acknowledged the fact that Goa achieved Statehood based on language after Konkani was granted the Official Language status. Moreover, it is embarrassing that our official language is still not being used in administration, even 35 years into Statehood.
Today, when Goa rises to mark its 35th Statehood day, and while leaders choose to take the podium to spell out success stories and scripts of development, none bothered to talk about protecting the threatened identity of the State and stand solidly behind the very purpose of Statehood. The fading identity and character of Goa have never been a political debate in a fast-evolving State that has witnessed the development and land conversion at an unprecedented pace.
Land which has been a crucial component of Goa’s identity has been relegated to the sidelines as massive areas are converted and traded at will, yet we remain completely isolated from the issue. So is the case with the massive demographic change that is being witnessed over the years. Goa may not be a picture of gloom and doom, but it has inherent issues that strike at the very heart of its identity and Statehood, which is why these should be on the priority list every single Statehood day. Statehood day should be a day of reconciliation and stock-taking.
The downpour of congratulatory messages on Monday from President Ram Nath Kovind, Home Minister Amit Shah, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and other central leaders was on purely development parameters. Sadly, for a true Goan, development in its current form cannot be a fair barometer of the State’s success, especially when there’s so much we have conceded. The reality is far different from what is being pictured. Goa has drifted away from its vibe and character ever since it got its Statehood on May 30, 1987, and there’s no denying that. More than soaking ourselves in the false reality, there is a need to remain grounded, be united, embrace whatever remains of Goa, and vow to uphold the identity of our precious State at all times.
