Yesterday, March 20, as the world celebrated World Happiness Day, Goans found themselves at a crossroads. Gauging by the number of people gathered at Panjim Church Square at 4 pm when the summer heat was still strong, it appeared to be a sign of something other than happiness—it was dissent.
The people who had gathered there had come at short notice to protest and protect the very soul of their State—their land. They were seen signing petitions against Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajeet Rane, who has earned the moniker of “Master of land conversions”.
Rane’s controversial plan to rezone a staggering 26.5 lakh square metres of ecozones for real estate development has raised concerns across the State, and rightfully so.
Thanks are due to the High Court, which has temporarily halted this move, giving Goans a small victory in their ongoing battle to protect Goa’s fragile environment from the unbridled greed of real estate lobbies.
Rane’s controversial plan to rezone a staggering 26.5 lakh square metres of ecozones for real estate development has raised concerns across the State, and rightfully so.
There were people asking questions: Why were they being forced to protest time and again to protect Goa? Is this what happiness has come to mean today? There are no answers. If we don't protest, it will mean we are consenting to what one man has decided.
It has now become a norm in Goa that when decisions are imposed, they are done so with brute force. In such a scenario, it’s hard to see any semblance of happiness. And, how will they find it when their voices are drowned by the greed of a few?
From a place where the roads were quieter, the air fresher, and the sense of community stronger, the Goa of today is welcoming large-scale housing projects that are draining the State of its precious resources, thanks to our very own who are selling their mother for a few silver coins.
A happy place is not defined by grand real estate projects or the constant noise of development. It’s not about endless highways filled with traffic, or overcrowded beaches stripped of their charm.
It has now become a norm in Goa that when decisions are imposed, they are done so with brute force. In such a scenario, it’s hard to see any semblance of happiness.
A truly happy Goa will be a State where people can breathe fresh air, walk down clean streets, and enjoy the peaceful serenity that made it a beloved destination. Unfortunately, that peace is slipping through our fingers.
The damage goes beyond just physical changes. Air pollution is creeping into Goa’s once-clean atmosphere. Roads are lined with garbage, a reminder of the inefficiency in waste management that plagues the State.
The rise in tourism, while beneficial in many ways, has led to overcrowding and environmental degradation that threaten the local way of life. All of this is happening while the people of Goa are expected to sit silently as their beloved home is being slowly suffocated by unchecked development.
Is this happiness? When the natural beauty that once brought so much joy to Goans is being replaced by concrete jungles? When basic needs like clean air and services like waste management are compromised for profit?
Goans can no longer sit by idly and wait for change to come from above. They need to ask themselves: Is Goa a happy place to live in today? If the answer is no, then it’s time to act. The people of Goa need to rise up and demand change.
Is this happiness? When the natural beauty that once brought so much joy to Goans is being replaced by concrete jungles? When basic needs like clean air and services like waste management are compromised for profit?
The State’s policies, which prioritise the interests of developers over the well-being of the community, must be scrutinised and, where necessary, scrapped. The fate of Goa should not be decided by a few influential figures, but by the collective will of its people.
Goa’s challenges are numerous, but they are not insurmountable. The time has come for Goans to stand together, to make their voices heard, and to fight for a Goa that prioritises its environment, its people, and its future. Only then will we truly see a State where happiness isn’t just a day on the calendar, but a reality for all who call Goa their home.
Let’s not wait until there is nothing left to protect. If you care about Goa’s future, get involved, speak out and make sure your voice is heard. After all, when it’s time to protest, it’s time to protect—for Goa, and for the generations to come.