Awards presented by prominent organisations in India often appear to be nothing more than a facade. Consider, for instance, the case of Goa being awarded the Best Performing Small State accolade for at the NDTV Indian Of The Year Awards ceremony in Delhi. This accolade purportedly commends the BJP government in the State for its notable strides in enhancing the quality of life for Goan citizens.
However, the stark reality unveils a different narrative. Firstly, there has been a notable increase in the number of Goans relinquishing their passports, indicating underlying dissatisfaction. Secondly, Goa grapples with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. Thirdly, corruption has reached unprecedented levels. Moreover, the environment is undergoing rapid degradation due to extensive land conversions, encroachments on hills, water bodies, and forests.
The escalating water scarcity, exacerbated by indiscriminate construction, further exacerbates the challenges. Additionally, sewage contamination has been documented in the majority of Goa’s water bodies, including rivers, creeks, and beaches. Notably, Goa also bears the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of accident-related deaths in the country. In light of these grim realities, it begs the question: do these developments truly enhance the quality of life for Goan citizens? There appears to be a glaring bias or ulterior motives behind the conferment of such questionable awards by these organisations.
