The mighty mite strikes again and the Goan water melon has opened and from green in Goa, we are now seeing red, like the rest of India. One way of looking at this is the red is imported because we allowed everyone and anyone to enter. Initially the logic of opening of the border was to allow Goans stuck outside the State in India or aboard to return and two, to allow those who work in Goa but live across the border to be allowed to return so economic activity in Goa is not hampered.
However, that was not what happened, once the borders opened anyone and everyone took the road to heaven on earth. For some Goa is a heaven away from the crowded urban centres which are red zones, for some Goa is a heaven because there are jobs available, and for some it was just a joy ride as anyway with the lock down in places like Delhi it was good enough time to take a holiday, COVID-19 be dammed.
Goans in particular are divided between those who want no one allowed into Goa and those who wish to open the borders with specific check and protocol. There is no way one can isolate oneself forever or even for just the next two years, assuming a vaccine appears by then. Goa, can least afford to isolate herself because Goa is dependent on everything from outside, Goa unfortunately is not self sufficient on coconuts, fish, rice vegetables or meats etc despite the fact Goa is associated with these produce. Then consider labour, Goans prefer to work abroad, so those who operate in Goa be it farmers, fishermen, builders or industry have to depend on an imported workforce. So like it or not, have to keep our borders open.
The other contentious issue has been the migrant labour wishing to leave. The much maligned migrant labour is at the forefront zoom debates, as now there are no official parties. Just a few months back, the discourse was on how they were eating up jobs, land and opportunity. Some groups started a movement to reclaim the Goan identity, from the procession of so called
migrants.
The moot question remains, who is a migrant and who is the original Goan. The last people on earth who can complain about migration are Goans. They have been the original migrators, first it was Africa, followed by El Dorado the gulf, once sufficiently heeled, they moved to greener and cooler climes of London, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The latest exodus is based on the coveted Portuguese passport, the impending Brexit situation in UK, prompted many in two minds to head to the UK. Then the mighty mite struck and within a few weeks the entire globe shook.
The decision to lockdown, slowed but did not stop the virus, however it created havoc with the economy and those who lived hand to mouth are suffering. During the lockdown, the biggest difficulty was experienced by those at the bottom of the proverbial pyramid. They could not go out on a daily basis and buy provisions as was their normal practice. This singular change caused enormous heartburn and anxiety among the daily wagers.
This anxiety has translated into a desire to go to a safe place, that safe place is usually “home”, no matter what the conditions or what the cost. This is exactly what has happened, some of those going are the ones who may have no issues, they have work, they have their rented home, they have food, but the wish to be safe with their loved ones. Those who are not fortunate are even more desperate and have started walking to a place they feel they will be safe, HOME. Recall, the demand to bring Goan seafarers home, and why not, Goa is the safest place for them.
There is another factor. There are many who have hastened this exodus by directly or indirectly threatening or cajoling these people who are already on the edge to leave, saying it is the best option as there can be another lockdown.
Across the country we can see this exodus. Will it cripple industry? Yes, slowly but surely without us saying it, the migrant work force has become the backbone of many sectors. In Goa, for hotels, beach shacks and fishing industry this was a normal off season phenomena as most returned home for their annual holiday. This time, because of the fear factor, they are joined by many more. Construction, industry, agriculture, fishing etc can be hampered.
With the migrant labour force leaving, it will affect another mostly illegal activity. That is rental of rooms. The rooms are usually without toilets and constructed without any plan approval but with the blessings of the local authorities who turn a blind for reasons best known to them. These illegal dwelling cause sanitation issues, Swachh Bharat is thrown to the dogs. Now, the owners of these units will have no one to rent them out to. They will need jobs.
Thus COVID-19 can be a blessing in disguise for Goa, lots of Goans are going to return from, other parts of India, the Gulf, cruise ships and yes, even UK. They have seen the value of hard work and life in Goa is not as stressful or cramped. So, here is an opportunity to fill in the void created by the exodus of migrant labour and make the best of the moment. If Goans delay or avoid it, be sure opportunity will not come twice. We crib Goans do not get opportunity, now it has presented itself, are we ready to take it. TIME WILL TELL. Stay Safe, not necessarily at home.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)