by Lenny Barretto
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
Map of Goa by courtesy: Tourism South India

Panaji, Apr 26: Panchayat elections are round the corner. Goa's countryside is agog with election frenxy. While Panchayat polls are on May five, the Goa legislative assembly elections are on June second. So the coming days will have more heat generated to couple with the already hotten up atmosphere.

The entire politics of the nation depends on the grassroot-level bodies. Right from Independence, later through the days when Rajiv Gandhi was in prime minister's seat and till now, the entire thrust of good governance is through panchayat bodies. But these days, what we have seen is that the panchayat level representatives are rendered toothless and have to beg in front of the legislative assembly for almost everything.

Gramsabhas, the body of villagers, are considered to be the strongest. No one can dare take any action against gramsabhas will. But what we have noticed these days is just the contrary.

So, it's time for rural Goa to wake up. We should use the panchayat elections to re-affirm our faith in the grassroo-level politics. Let the deadwood go away from panchayat politics and new and young blood take up the task of governing our villages. We are losing our countryside to characters of nuisance value. There are a lot of things which need to be done. Keeping aside politics, the young blood needs to take over institutions like panchayats to usher in an atmosphere of change.

This time around, we should make it sure that we are voting on merit. Don't get lured with the promises and advances made by politicians. Such an opportunity comes only once in five years. Never know, if we don't put our house in order right now, after five years we may not have a house to put in order. Everything would be sold out and we would be left scouting for our own existence and entity..

This writer may sound like an activist for those who read these lines. But, upon retrospection, it can be realized how our mistakes in the past have led to our own sufferings. This is not to support or oppose any political party. But the stark truth that wrong individuals can spoil the entire atmosphere is staring into our face.

So, this is a right time. Opportunity is banging on our doors. Let the winds of change blow through our countryside. Let Goa remain the best-governed state at the grassroot level.