Goa’s Future Rests on the Shoulders of Youth Retd. Justice Ferdino Rebello urges youth to question injustice fearlessly Panaji, May 15: “If the youth remain silent out of fear, the future of society will be pushed into darkness. The voice of the youth is the real source of change. There is nothing to fear in raising one’s voice through democratic means,” said retired Justice Ferdino Rebello. He was speaking at a youth interaction programme organised by the ‘Enough is Enough’ movement. Justice Rebello urged young Goans to remain alert, question injustice and actively participate in shaping Goa’s future. Recalling an incident from his own life, Rebello said he was once jailed for three days at Aguada for participating in an agitation on issues concerning the traditional fishing community. “I did not step back because of that. I could still go on to become a judge. Therefore, youth should not carry the fear that raising their voice democratically will destroy their career,” he said. He acknowledged that false complaints and pressure tactics may create difficulties at times, but stressed that courage to stand against injustice must come from within. “Rebellion or revolution depends on one’s inner conviction, concern and willpower,” he added. Justice Rebello said the youth must closely watch the developments taking place in Goa. He called for serious discussion among young people on the citizens’ charter of ten demands prepared by the ‘Enough is Enough’ movement. He warned that society becomes directionless when it follows wrong ideals, and therefore questioning the system is necessary. “Wherever wrongs are committed, wherever corruption takes place, it is our duty to demand answers. Each one must decide whether to live under the shadow of fear or stand up for one’s rights,” Rebello said. He further appealed to youth not to remain mere spectators, but to become active participants in the democratic process. “Youth must attend the meetings of ‘Enough is Enough’ in large numbers. Dialogue, conversation, reasoning and debate are very important in democracy. Only when the youth play an important role in the decision-making process of the state will society move in the right direction,” he said. The programme was coordinated by Elvis Gomes.