{"id":8860,"date":"2026-09-10T12:07:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T06:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaonkaari.com\/do-not-test-the-patience-of-goans\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T12:07:45","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T06:37:45","slug":"do-not-test-the-patience-of-goans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaonkaari.com\/mr\/do-not-test-the-patience-of-goans\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Not Test the Patience of Goans!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Goa stands at a decisive crossroads today. On one side, land deals, mega projects, concrete jungles, hill-cutting, encroachments on rivers and the expansion of casinos continue in the name of development. On the other, ordinary Goans are fighting to protect their land, agriculture, environment, jobs, public transport, education and their future. How long will the government and political parties continue to ignore this struggle?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Goa\u2019s identity is not confined to its beaches. The real identity of Goa lies in its paddy fields, plantations, khazan lands, rivers, hills, traditional village settlements and a way of life deeply connected with nature. It is this very identity that is now under threat. If paddy fields, fertile land, plantations, no-development hill slopes and khazan lands are to be handed over to concrete in the name of development, then the question must be asked: development for whom, and for what?<\/p>\n

Section 39(A) of the TCP Act has raised serious concerns among Goans in this context. The government must clearly explain whose interests are being served by provisions that make changes in land use easier. If agricultural land is transferred in the name of development by using the framework of law, how much land will actually remain in the hands of Goan farmers tomorrow? When land is lost, it is not merely land that disappears; Goa\u2019s identity, culture and the future of the next generation are sold along with it.<\/p>\n

The growing influence of casinos in the Mandovi River is yet another painful example of the assault on Goa\u2019s environmental and social sensitivities. Rivers, creeks and water bodies are an integral part of Goa\u2019s life. They cannot be treated as commercial assets available indefinitely for the expansion of any lobby. Likewise, it is time to seriously ask where Goa is heading when projects are being built after cutting hills, destroying trees and altering natural slopes.<\/p>\n

The environmental question is not merely an issue for environmentalists. It is a question of survival for every Goan. If a river is poisoned, everyone suffers. If agricultural land disappears, food security is threatened. If hills are cut, water resources, climate and biodiversity are affected. If beaches and khazan lands are destroyed, future generations may know Goa only as a place that once existed.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the everyday problems of ordinary people remain unresolved. Employment opportunities are inadequate. Young people continue to struggle for jobs. Citizens are forced to endure the shortcomings of public transport every day. Education and public services are not receiving the attention they deserve. At the same time, grand events, ceremonies and publicity spectacles are being funded with public money. Why should the people pay for celebrations of power when their own villages lack basic facilities?<\/p>\n

There is also growing unease among citizens over law and order. The common man expects justice, security and a prompt response from the administration. Governance is not merely about inaugurations, advertisements and announcements. Governance means accountability. And people have every right to demand an account of how that responsibility is being discharged.<\/p>\n

Against this backdrop, the role of the Opposition is equally important. Criticising those in power is easy; providing a concrete alternative to save Goa is the real challenge. It is not enough to come together only a few months before an election, negotiate seat-sharing arrangements and raise slogans against the government. Goans now want more than promises. They want written guarantees.<\/p>\n

Opposition parties must clearly state: How will agricultural and plantation lands be protected? What laws will be introduced to protect khazan lands? How will hill-cutting be stopped? What will be the policy on casinos? What steps will be taken to prevent the misuse of provisions such as Section 39(A)? What is the roadmap for employment generation? What changes will be made in public transport and education? What concrete measures will be taken to strengthen law and order?<\/p>\n

More importantly, will political parties genuinely distance themselves from individuals who maintain close links with land mafias, casino lobbies, large non-Goan builders and other vested economic interests? The time has come to end the practice of protecting wrongdoing simply because someone is considered \u201cour own\u201d. Whatever the party, however influential the individual, anyone standing against Goa\u2019s interests must be answerable to the people.<\/p>\n

This is the time for Goans to prepare their own People\u2019s Manifesto. Instead of political parties deciding what the people should want, the people must now tell political parties what they must do. Land, environment, khazans, rivers, casinos, employment, transport, education, healthcare, law and order and the rights of locals must all find a place in this manifesto. No hidden agenda. No backroom deals. Everything must be transparent and placed before the people.<\/p>\n

This is the time for Niz Goemkars to come together, putting aside party affiliations, caste, religion, differences and personal egos. The Opposition must understand this reality. Instead of fighting over seat-sharing, come together first on the issues that are destroying Goa. For the people, the question of how Goa will be saved is becoming more important than the question of who will become Chief Minister.<\/p>\n

The 2027 election is not far away. Instead of waiting until then to knock on voters\u2019 doors with promises, political parties must state their positions before the people today. The people are watching everything. They are keeping track of who stands with whom, whose interests are being protected and who is genuinely fighting for Goa.<\/p>\n

Those who have contributed to the sale of Goa\u2019s soil will not be forgiven by the people. And those who have raised their voices to save Goa will also be expected to deliver more than words \u2014 they will be expected to act.<\/p>\n

Goa is not the private property of any government, political party or lobby. It is the heritage of the Goans. The responsibility of this generation is to pass that heritage safely to the next generation.<\/p>\n

The anger of the people is no longer merely dissatisfaction. It has become a question. It is becoming a movement. And in 2027, it has the power to emerge as an answer through the ballot box.<\/p>\n

Now political parties must decide: Will they stand with Goa, or will they stand with those who are looting Goa?<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Goa stands at a decisive crossroads, grappling with development projects that threaten its core identity, from land deals and mega projects to the expansion of casinos. Ordinary Goans are actively fighting to protect their land, environment, jobs, and future, questioning the government’s priorities and calling for accountability and a concrete alternative from political parties to safeguard the state’s heritage.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8859,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-main-story"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t