Known as one of the smallest states in our vast country, Goa today is faced with challenges and difficulties that are neither small nor simple. Since our liberation, more than 57 years ago, Goa has faced and overcome many problems. But with the passage of time, new and more complex issues have risen to the surface, some of which threaten the very existence of the cultural fabric that defines Goa.

In the past Goans have gallantly defended their rights, be it during the fiercely fought Opinion Poll or the 1986 Language Agitation where 7 Konkani lovers lost their lives in order to make Konkani the official Language of Goa. These issues were close to the hearts of every Goan, hence they fought together surpassing caste, creed or religion.

In the present politically charged situation prevailing in the state of Goa, many new issues and challenges have come to light. Some of the social issues are concerning the livelihood of Goans, the scarcity of jobs and the fact that there are many graduates and post graduates who have to leave the state in search of good salaried jobs. Many a times Government jobs advertising for undergraduate positions see a flood of applications by the graduates and postgraduates and this is just an indication of the highly skewed demand and supply situation. Further, the ban on existing industries of mining and export of iron ore which has impacted nearly one lakh Goan jobs have added to this already critical situation. Additionally, issues concerning the environment – sustainability of industries, infrastructure development at the cost of environment are the flip side of the coin.

Casinos and culture protectionism are two other issues close to the heart of many Goans. Goa has five offshore casinos and nearly a dozen onshore casinos. Many locals see this as a den of corruption. The culture of drugs and alcohol abuse is also a serious issue affecting the peace within homes and something which tourists seem to associate Goa with due to the ease of access. The drug menace is even creeping into schools, which is quite alarming.

The deterioration of the value system and communal disharmony only add to this plight. This emphasises the importance of schools that include value education as part of the curriculum. It is never too early to teach a child the importance of respect for others and religious beliefs. Additionally, the obsession with social media is a major complain among parents and has led to strained family relationships. It is becoming increasingly important to ensure that mobile phones are not allowed inside school classrooms to ensure discipline. In fact, avoiding mobile phones for social gatherings will ensure that social interaction takes place rather than only social media interaction.

When it comes to the question of protecting local culture, the controversial question of which language – Konkani, Marathi or English – should be the medium of teaching in primary schools has been debated and is something which is yet to achieve consensus.

The changing demographic profile of the state is a bone of contention as there has been a lot of influx of people from other states into Goa in search of jobs and to set up businesses, be it in the line of tourism or trade. Health of the people is one of the impacted areas when the population surges, and the sanitation, cleanliness and waste management leaves lots to be desired. Although many positive steps have been taken by the Municipalities towards waste collection, the segregation and proper handling of waste is yet to be given proper attention.

A positive point is the number of HIV cases in Goa, which was on the rise in 2017, has seen a decline. However the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Goa is very much real and must be dealt with sensitivity and awareness.

There has been a lot of development in Goa in the past 58 plus years but it is important to realize that all this development will be of no use if our Goans are not able to enjoy it’s fruits. “Change is the only constant in life”, said a wise person. Let’s ensure we change for the better and don’t forget our priorities in the process.

Louella S. Santimano