What ails Goa?

Can Goa go the Bihar way?

Recently I had the privilege of visiting Patna. Many would wonder why I would call such a visit a privilege. Bihar, and its capital Patna, have not been spoken about too kindly by people in general. Yet, I would vouch and say that I particularly enjoyed by three-day stay in Patna.

In the days the people of Bihar would like to put beyond their memory, someone buying even a Maruti 800 would receive a ‘love-letter’. The letter would ‘lovingly’ demand some money from the proud owner of the new vehicle (probably his first car). If the matter was brought before the police, the men in khaki would take the role of ‘negotiators’ and would bring about an ‘amicable settlement’ with the proud owner of the new car shelling out much less than the initial demand. Of course the ‘negotiators’ did not provide their services for free. They needed to be well looked-after for their ‘good negotiation skills’.

The Bihar, and more particularly, the Patna of today has changed drastically. The taxi driver who drove us from the airport to the hotel, the cobbler (whose services I had to avail of in an emergency), the shop owners, the hawkers and even some prominent doctors and law professionals in Patna are all praise for the change. In the last few years, special attention has been paid to decrease the crime rate, provide education for all, improve infrastructure and develop health-related facilities as well.

The results are there for all to see. I was roaming the streets of Patna at 11pm; a walk, which considering one’s own safety, was impossible around five years ago, I was told. The roads are a treat to drive on or walk on. There is so much that has been done to improve the conditions of roads and other facilities, as regards travel. The city of Patna is being developed in a very organized manner. I was surprised to see the number of malls that seem to be converging on the place. Of course, if you consider cleanliness and the airport, then there is much left to be desired.

The former Advocate General of the State is now the Education Minister of the State. This is an example of the firm commitment the government has made to keep the Education Ministry alive with a highly educated individual who knows the intricacies and the importance of education. Also, people of integrity are holding top positions in various government corporations and commissions. A retired high court judge of Patna judge heads the Law Commission. There are many professionals involved in the process of developing Bihar. The state is pretty big, but the development is moving at a steady pace, ensuring overall sustainable development.

In contrast, I look with great concern over my state, my beloved Goa. Every minster has been appointed with ‘political compulsion’ as the only criteria. The Law Commission is headed by a politician. Politicians, though qualified, are known to be biased. The trend of giving experts ministerial posts started with our present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being given the Finance Portfolio that triggered off economic reforms in the early 1990s. These reforms, though some would differ strongly, I feel keep benefiting us in a big way.

In Goa, unfortunately, no importance is given to professionalism. Every minister is appointed to ensure that the Chief Minster does not lose his ‘Kodel’. The few MLAs who have not much vocal power and/or cannot pull strings strongly enough, are left in the lurch. We have the only woman legislator in Goa who is vociferous and yet cannot find a cabinet berth even now, though some first time MLAs with ‘God Fathers and Fathers’ at the top, find berths so easy to come by. Also, these first-timers are there because they can so easily pull the ‘Kodel’ away from behind when the Chief Minister while he is not looking and has turned his attention away from what is happening behind him. He does not want to be surprised by these stunts lest he finds himself tottering on the floor! They have not got over playing those childish games! This forces the Chief Minister to play to the ‘Kodel’ removers. And these childish games lead to an ineffective government, as we are witnessing at the present time.

Does Goa need a ‘benevolent Dictator-cum-Chief Minister’;? one like Bihar probably has at the moment? I would say we need to put aside those so called party affiliations; it is the person and his deeds that matter. When a person understands the needs of the people who have put him there, development can take place much quicker and with the faith of the people.

In Goa we have the habit of working by the ‘fits-and-starts’ method. It is so sad to know that nothing goes by any planning. A plan is made and implemented not really taking into consideration the near future or even worse the distant future. There are clear signs that ‘other considerations’ go into these developmental works. While we see the tar being put on the road, another stretch with newly laid tower is already falling victim to some digging activity. Basically, there seems to be no coordination. This surely comes from the lack of leadership.

Well, we can conclude: None of those who are in power are really interested in the development of the state. Their motto is self-development. It is obvious, but most of the time nobody cares. Have we in Goa become so blind that we cannot see?

I recently received an SMS that spoke of leadership. It says and I agree: “A group of sheep led by lions will always defeat a group of lions led by a sheep.” The truth is there for all to see. A mild leader does not get anywhere, but he can survive his ‘Kodel’ even without doing anything for his people. He does not require our votes, he has publicly proclaimed. What will our stand be?

With Goa being just a fraction of the size Bihar is, can development at a sustainable pace be planned and implemented here. Maybe it is time for us, citizens, to bring about the answers. Our elected representatives seem to have lost their thinking power while they are being led by an ineffective leader.