The recent very unsavory and needless salvo fired by Goa’s Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte against the NRI Goans is in utter bad taste. It only displayed Rohan Khaunte’s sheer immaturity and intolerance by being infuriated that Goans across the world were highlighting on social media the issues concerning their State.
The Goans abroad have a pride in their identity and have an urge to preserve their culture. They have been involved in major social issues concerning their land and have over the years amongst other things shipped computers to Goa schools while also assisting to supply Goa hospitals with equipment. They have also invested in Goa whether it is money deposited in banks, holiday homes or in business ventures.
However, the overseas Goans are anguished with what they see in Goa. They are repelled by the culture of rampant corruption that has become a part of the Goan society.
Many NRIs after years of working abroad long to settle in the land of their origin. But for many reasons get disheartened and give up. For someone who has never witnessed water supply shortages or power failures it is a nightmare coping with the erratic water and power supply besides the potholed roads which all now is a way of life in Goa.
NRIs also feel that the prospects of good education in Goa for their children is bleak and that is something the Government should focus on. Good hospitals and quality professional educational institutions are something we so dearly need. Overall, if Goa’s infrastructure is improved it will motivate many NRIs to come back and set up shop in the place that is so dear to them. But with the politicians having their fingers in every pie, nothing runs professionally or free from political interference.
Over the years a lot of Goan politicians have made overseas trips, ostensibly to study projects abroad. It was expected that they would bring home some ideas to improve things here. Unfortunately, these trips at taxpayer expense have in reality been only shopping and sightseeing junkets for our ever so greedy politicians.
The modern NRIs are far more professional, skilled, articulate, motivated, caring and affluent than the previous generation. They have an empathy towards Goa and regard it more than just another holiday destination. These sentiments have to be tapped by the Government. The very high level of corruption in Goa being something that every NRI detests, a combat on corruption could be the starting point in bringing Goa closer to every NRI Goan.
Many Goans feel the urge to play a role in shaping the future of Goa but the authorities would have to encourage NRIs to return and invest their skills and savings in the land of their roots. Now this outburst by Rohan Khaunte is a very retrograde step and a sincere public apology by him could be a move in the right direction.
