Fortune has indeed been kind and a quick survey will reveal that the Goans have more than adequate numbers with the requisite qualifications. We have the colleges and schools churning out students into degree holders. We have a few sportsmen and sportswomen in the disciplines of football and swimming. But these starts are no more in the form of gladiators and the sports phenomena is yet to catch on.

The Goan Dihtmlora is second only to the Jews. Goans have spread their wings far and wide in all the six continents and have reached every nook, corner and cranny of the world. They have distinguished themselves as doctors – both surgeons and physicians, engineers, architects, scientists, researchers, judges and lawyers, software wizards, ambassadors, administrators, musicians, singers, actors, painters, writers, cartoonists, chefs, professors and teachers, generals, admirals, air marshals, soldiers/sailors, airmen, merchant navy men, sea captains, shopkeepers, traders, technicians, beauty queens and models, mechanics, clerks, handymen, religious – priests and nuns – we even have a couple of saints in the making and in almost every conceivable walk of life.

Our distinguished forebearers who have strived for excellence reached the dizzy heights in their respective fields in their time. During the Portuguese colonial period there was an utter lack of opportunities at home. The Portuguese did not create facilities for education. Even for appearing in the matriculation exams, Goans had to go to Bombay, Pune, Belgaum or other nearby Indian towns. The Portuguese did not encourage Goans to join their armed forces or police for fear that the same people may one day point the guns at them. There was distrust and even civil administrative jobs were given only to a few selected persons from families considered totally loyal to Lisbon. This caused the exodus for higher studies and to look for job opportunities elsewhere. Having succeeded in these endeavours, most Goans decided to stay on their newfound homes. Non-Resident Goans (NRGs) do not want to invest in industry in Goa, and there is political instability, lack of infrastructure, lack of planning and uncertainty prevalent today. Wherever they went, the Goans adapted themselves to the locals and their customs and endeared themselves by display of their culture and flexibility. Some of our more illustrious sons in the Central Services whose names come to mind are A L Dias, Governor of West Bengal; Peter Linn Sinai, IFS, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Gen. Sunith Rodrigues, COAS; Julio Rebeiro – DG Police Punjab and Delhi and ambassador to Romania; Lt Gens. W.A.G.Pinto, S.L.Menezes, E.A.Vaz, C.A.Barretto; Vice Admiral John D’Souza; F.J.Heredia and Ron Noronha, both IAS, who retired as Chief Secretaries of States, and there are a host of others.

Today in our democratic set up there are a plethora of opportunities in both the armed forces and also in the civil services. The basic requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in any subject. For the NDA it is a High Secondary School Certificate that is necessary. Why then are our youth not inclined towards appearing in Central Civil Services (CCS) or the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examinations and interview conducted by the UPSC_ Of course, there are lesser level entries in the armed forces as soldiers, sailors and airmen in the matric entry stream. Technical, tactical and other training skills are imparted to all after recruitment. The services also require tradesmen of all kind and descriptions. Surely our boys can fit the bill somewhere. There are instances of soldiers rising to be strong commanders. Opportunities for advancement of careers are many indeed.

Let’s look at any other cities like Bombay, Bangalore, Pune and even little Belgaum. We will find a host of institutes and private academies which prepare the candidates for various examinations, physical tests and interviews. Educational institutions enthusiastically compare and count the number of successful candidates from within its students that have made it to the IMA, OTA. NDA or Civil Service examinations each term. They generate a patriotic feeling of taking part in the national mainstream activity, of readiness and willingness to work hard and go through the adventure to come out stronger, wiser, contented and more confident and well trained. State Governments and local University and College managements assist the youth in making a correct selection of a career and encourage them to work towards achieving that goal. Every State has a Sainik School. Some have more than one. Here boys are trained so that they are ready to undergo the various written examinations and interviews and come out with flying colours.

Can we say that any such climate exists in Goa_ Has the Government even thought of setting up a Sainik School in the State_ Has the Goa University (GU) made any programme to create an environment, whereby students are encouraged to opt for taking the Central Civil Services and CDS examinations to get into the armed forces, IAS, IFS, IAAS, IRS, Indian Forest Services, IMS, IES and many more such Central Services. The answer is unambiguous. No! There has been a miserable failure on the part of successive governments in this sphere. Actually today’s governments are more busy keeping themselves in power, than in doing anything worthwhile for the development of the State or for improvement of its vast human resources. Colleges should take pride in saying that this year we had six students selected for CCS and two for the CDS examinations.

During my last five years in Goa after retirement from the Army, I have moved about and met many people from all strata of Society. I have been approached by many young men and a few young women who wanted to know about the opportunities, procedures and qualifications for entry into various academies or at the basic other ranks level. I gathered the feeling that many people wanted a cushy life, good pay and perks without any hassles. Most wanted to remain in Goa or in its close vicinity. All spoke about the Army and Navy Messes and the Navy Ball held in Navy Week each year. I explained to them that this was only one side of the coin. In fact, this side comes only once, each ten times the coin is tossed. More often than not, officers and men are separated from their families, gruelling it out in distant border and field areas like Kargil, Siachen or the Northern Eastern States combating insurgency and protecting the borders or maritime frontiers. The Armed Forces learn to live with tension and face live situations where quick decision making is essential. There is no waiting for orders. It is do or die. If you have the right psyche then you can always do and never die. After all if one goes to Defence Colony Porvorim as also in the other villages of Goa, one comes across scores of retired officers like myself. They have been through the thick and thin of battle and peacetime parades and have come out successful, smiling and often decorated for gallantry or distinguished service.

During the various recruitment melas held in Goa, we find the majority of the htmlirants are from the neighbouring districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra as they are grouped with Goa for this purpose. Most Goan young men are eliminated at the very first hurdle which is a one-mill run. They just cannot display the stamina and speed to make it within the minimum laid down time and are sent home dejected. We don’t have to look for the reason. Do our schools or parents have any kind of programme to encourage and ensure proper physical training of their students, wards and children_ Does the Department of Education, Youth Affairs or Sports insist on sports/games or arrange coaching to achieve certain minimum standards_ I’m afraid not. Everyone thinks its somebody else’s baby. A good government and a good University Senate look into these matters. They yield dividends and keep the youth busy in worthwhile sports and hobbies. Education does not merely consist of cramming up books and vomiting them out verbatim in examinations. Thereafter with certificate and marksheet in hand, all is forgotten. Application of knowledge to everyday real life situations is just not there. We have been hearing government after government laying stress on vocational training. When will we move beyond the talking stage and see some solid action on ground, which will benefit the youth and assist them in finding suitable employment according to their capabities and inclinations.

What can be done to improve the sorry state of affairs_ The State Government must assist and encourage the Goa University to start certain special short courses, seminars, talks and lectures to prepare our students for central examinations. Physical education in school and college must be taken seriously. The NCC must be encouraged and expanded. The Goan youth must understand and accept that expertise in dancing, ability to down more beer and organize beach picnics and drive fast and dangerously on two wheelers cannot carry one very far. Sooner or later you run out of steam and such people come to grief while their counterparts in other States toil physically and mentally to achieve their goals. They are the ones who eventually eat the cake.

At present that sincerity of purpose and will seem to be lacking all-around. Wake up Goa and we can recapture our past glory and build a place for ourselves in the sun. Let Goa be a State our grandchildren will be proud of. Today Goa is in a State of stagnation and slumber. Susegado! Let’s remember the saying: ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. Let us accept the challenge.