At times I wonder what Goans in their 90s must feel when they compare life in pre-1961 Goa to the present day. Today, things have changed so much that many Goans feel unsafe in almost every aspect of life, living with fear and anxiety about their safety. Is this because Goans have moved to neighbouring states or countries in search of better jobs and lifestyles, while migrants have come here for the same reasons — often with the support of selfish power centres? What remains for us to take pride in are Goa’s temples, churches, historic buildings with their colonial charm and colours, and of course, the Goa Medical College — Asia’s first medical college established by the Portuguese — which even today remains one of the most reliable medical facilities.
On the other hand, Goa has lost much of its inheritance. Tourism has had negative effects, the ecology and environment are worsening, infrastructure is crumbling, waste management is poor, and crimes in broad daylight are increasing. Scams, frauds, land grabs, housebreaking, drug trafficking, and unsafe roads full of potholes that cause injuries and deaths have added to the decline. While innocent Goans hope for some light at the end of the tunnel, sadly this tunnel only seems to grow longer, with no end in sight.
