The Day After Elections

We are on the day after elections, waiting for the results the day after tomorrow. A day of relaxation for those who have been in the dust and din of electioneering. A day of anxious waiting for those who are at the centre of the political spectrum. Our choices and our political fate for next five years are sealed in the ballot boxes. But our historical destiny is still in our hands, whatever the results may be.

Does it sound contradictory to say our political fate was determined yesterday but not our long term destiny?  Not to me. There has been a deep undercurrent for change but the choice was limited by existing parties, political permutations, problems and personalities. In many cases we had to choose between the devil and the deep sea. But the political leaders that the election results throw up will also be limited by the five year tenure of office. Limited changes will come about with some new faces but many same old faces. The new legislators and ministers are not expected to be angels, whether we have voted for them or not. But whoever they are, they must be kept in check by people’s power. We will have to be ever vigilant, our own watchdogs. Our people’s movements will have to carry on, even though the election results may disappoint those leading them.

Some of the indicators of hope for Goa were seen in the election gone by. Like the emergence of individuals ready to fight the system despite several hindrances. Like independents of repute supported by various parties against well entrenched power centres: Nirmala Sawant and Avertano Furtado. Like the rise of independents even without party support due to actual work carried out in the past: Rohan Khaunte. Like the inspiring innovation from campaigning to awakening: Bismarque Dias. The decline of regional parties which contested a small number of seats and the extension of party tickets to family members of some politicians were two of the many disappointing indicators.

As long as we remain awake and keep vociferously demanding, and as long as we applaud the right and condemn the wrong, our destiny will be in our hands in spite of our political fate for the time being. If on the other hand, we are satisfied with the new set of rulers and stop being vigilant, it could be the beginning of the end in various ways: from democracy to oligarchy of few families, from secular co-existence to religious bigotry and communalism, from green Goa to desert Goa, from a way of life that has evolved over the ages to a culture that is enforced, from a rich diversity to a monotonous uniformity, from the current swimming in corruption to the ultimate drowning.

We must endorse what is good for Goa and resist what is harmful. This election was only another battle, albeit an important one. The war for Goa will continue. Let us keep telling our new representatives that law and justice, proper education, good healthcare, sufficient water and energy for homes, agriculture and industry, good roads and waterways, healthy tourism and work opportunities are the good things we want. The bad elements we need to fight are drugs and alcoholism that are destroying our youth and families, sex tourism and paedophilia, goondaism, concretization and destruction of ecology, and of course the all pervasive corruption. Human life and human rights are to be protected at any cost. Development should not result in destruction of nature. Our way of life in harmony with nature has to continue. Our diversity of cultures must be preserved. These priorities will make or mar our future, and therefore can’t be left in the hands of a few leaders elected for a limited period.

It is apt to quote Oliver Wendell Holmes: “I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving”. Destiny is a higher calling. Power is derived from the constitution and from “we the people”. The exercise of this power is an ongoing process. Every day, every month, every year.

 Published in The Navhind Times, Panorama 04.03.2012