Ah, Goa. Land of beaches, feni, and a political theatre so rich, it makes Bollywood look like an amateur class. On June 22, 2025, the state witnessed yet another blockbuster performance; this time starring ex-Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, who decided to end his speech not with a mic drop, but with a partly ‘surya namaskar’.
Yes, you read that right. Gaude, freshly ousted from his ministerial chair, went full "Shashtang Dandavat", prostrating on stage with folded hands, hoping the gods of electoral mercy (read: voters) would bless him with a second chance. A performance worthy of a lifetime achievement award in political melodrama.
Of course, he’s not alone in this cringe-worthy quest for public sympathy. Let’s rewind to June 14, 2020, when Goa Forward Party supremo and Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardessai, on his 50th birthday, begged Goans to forgive him for his "political mistake" to support the BJP post-Parrikar. Conveniently, this realization came right after he was dropped as Deputy CM. Timing, as they say, is everything.
And speaking of crocodile tears, let’s not forget our arrogant Vishwajit Rane. The Health Minister, who once begged late CM Manohar Parrikar to accept him into the BJP fold, has become Goa’s poster child for performative penitence. A classic case of “cry when you’re down, roar when you’re up.”
But behind every apology is a history lesson we’d do well to remember. Take Rane, who just this month lashed out at Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, the Chief Medical Officer at Goa Medical College, proving yet again that arrogance doesn’t retire, it just recalibrates based on power.
Let’s not be fooled, this isn’t character development. It’s a re-run.
Back in 2019, Vijay Sardessai, then Deputy CM, slapped a phone out of a civic officer’s hand. When public pressure reached a boiling point, he switched gears from ‘Hulk’ mode to humble servant, issuing an apology like a kid caught cheating during finals. He’s also lashed out at journalists because asking questions is apparently a cardinal sin in his kingdom.
And remember the time Sardessai, as TCP Minister, lined up bouncers in the Town and Country Planning office like it was a nightclub in Baga?
Govind Gaude, too, showed us what "cultural leadership" really means, by hurling abuse at the director of the Tribal Affairs department for allowing an NGO to hold a camp to educate lower section of the society of government schemes and their rights. Lashing out at journalists, activists, and even artists who dared question his Kala Academy renovation project, which, by the way, had more red flags than a Communist rally had become a norm for him.
But here's the kicker: once the chair gets pulled from under them, these very same men suddenly discover the spiritual power of humility. They apologize. They cry. They literally lie on the floor. Not because they’ve changed, but because they want your vote.
So let’s call it what it is: a seasonal shedding of arrogance disguised as repentance. When in power, they strut. When out of power, they crawl.
Goa doesn’t need more dramatics. It needs accountability, memory, and voters with long attention spans. Because if we keep rewarding bad actors (read: politicians) with encore performances, they’ll keep rewriting the script to suit their egos, not our futures.
Thursday, 26 June 2025
Thursday, 19 June 2025
Govind Gaude's ouster: A smokescreen for Goa's corrupt regime -- By Nisser Dias
The recent removal of Goa's infamous Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude from the BJP-led government has sparked a storm of discussion across the state. On the surface, it appears to be a routine reshuffle, well within the constitutional prerogative of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. But a closer look reveals a far more sinister reality—one that exposes the rot festering deep within the corridors of Goa's BJP regime.
For months, citizens and artists clamoured for Gaude's dismissal following the scandalous, shoddy renovation of the iconic Kala Academy. But Chief Minister Sawant shielded his minister, consistently blaming contractors and deflecting all responsibility. His unwavering support for Gaude raises one uncomfortable question: Why now? What changed?
The answer lies in a bombshell revelation that shook the BJP government to its core: Govind Gaude dared to accuse Chief Minister Sawant of corruption in the Tribal Welfare Department, which Sawant himself heads. When the opposition seized on these explosive allegations, Sawant found himself cornered, his image tarnished and his moral authority crumbling. And yet, instead of immediately sacking Gaude to assert his innocence, Sawant resorted to his usual tactic, outsourcing his discretion to instructions from his political masters in New Delhi.
This cowardly delay only proves one thing: Govind Gaude wasn’t fired for his incompetence or failures as a minister—he was axed for breaking the unspoken code of silence and daring to challenge the Chief Minister’s corruption.
But this is not an isolated incident. The rot in Goa's governance runs far deeper. Former Governor Satya Pal Malik, the very constitutional head of the state, publicly accused Chief Minister Sawant of direct corruption. Malik even brought his concerns to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expecting accountability. Instead of confronting these grave charges, Sawant used his influence in Delhi to oust Malik—a blatant abuse of power that underscores the BJP’s willingness to suppress truth to preserve its stranglehold on Goa.
Pramod Sawant, a non-Goan parachuted into power by late Manohar Parrikar and the RSS, had the audacity to promise 'strict action' against corruption in 2024. But every passing scandal exposes his hollow rhetoric. If Sawant truly stands for clean governance, why not begin by investigating the allegations against himself? The cash-for-jobs scandal stands as one of the most damning indictments of Sawant's leadership. This explosive controversy revealed the systemic rot within government hiring practices, leaving the administration humiliated and discredited. Under Sawant, governance in Goa has degenerated into organized looting—a brazen mockery of democratic principles.
The unlawful demolition of a house in Assagao, reportedly facilitated by collusion between politicians, police, and land sharks, further unmasked the nexus of corruption choking Goa. Former Director General of Police Jaspal Singh acting as an enforcer for powerful vested interests, laid bare just how compromised the state's institutions have become. When the heat started building he was packed to Delhi.
And then there is the murky case of former Chief Secretary Puneet Goel, hurriedly transferred to Delhi after revelations that he allegedly manipulated land-use designations to purchase prime property in Aldona. His swift transfer speaks volumes about the BJP government's desperation to sweep its corruption under the rug. The pattern is undeniable: under Pramod Sawant's leadership, corruption has become institutionalized. Goa today is not governed; it is plundered.
Govind Gaude's ouster is not a victory for accountability—it is a warning. A warning that in Sawant's Goa, the real crime isn’t corruption—it’s exposing it. The Chief Minister has long since forfeited any moral right to continue in office. For the sake of Goa’s dignity and its democratic future, Pramod Sawant and his tainted cabinet must resign immediately.
For months, citizens and artists clamoured for Gaude's dismissal following the scandalous, shoddy renovation of the iconic Kala Academy. But Chief Minister Sawant shielded his minister, consistently blaming contractors and deflecting all responsibility. His unwavering support for Gaude raises one uncomfortable question: Why now? What changed?
The answer lies in a bombshell revelation that shook the BJP government to its core: Govind Gaude dared to accuse Chief Minister Sawant of corruption in the Tribal Welfare Department, which Sawant himself heads. When the opposition seized on these explosive allegations, Sawant found himself cornered, his image tarnished and his moral authority crumbling. And yet, instead of immediately sacking Gaude to assert his innocence, Sawant resorted to his usual tactic, outsourcing his discretion to instructions from his political masters in New Delhi.
This cowardly delay only proves one thing: Govind Gaude wasn’t fired for his incompetence or failures as a minister—he was axed for breaking the unspoken code of silence and daring to challenge the Chief Minister’s corruption.
But this is not an isolated incident. The rot in Goa's governance runs far deeper. Former Governor Satya Pal Malik, the very constitutional head of the state, publicly accused Chief Minister Sawant of direct corruption. Malik even brought his concerns to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expecting accountability. Instead of confronting these grave charges, Sawant used his influence in Delhi to oust Malik—a blatant abuse of power that underscores the BJP’s willingness to suppress truth to preserve its stranglehold on Goa.
Pramod Sawant, a non-Goan parachuted into power by late Manohar Parrikar and the RSS, had the audacity to promise 'strict action' against corruption in 2024. But every passing scandal exposes his hollow rhetoric. If Sawant truly stands for clean governance, why not begin by investigating the allegations against himself? The cash-for-jobs scandal stands as one of the most damning indictments of Sawant's leadership. This explosive controversy revealed the systemic rot within government hiring practices, leaving the administration humiliated and discredited. Under Sawant, governance in Goa has degenerated into organized looting—a brazen mockery of democratic principles.
The unlawful demolition of a house in Assagao, reportedly facilitated by collusion between politicians, police, and land sharks, further unmasked the nexus of corruption choking Goa. Former Director General of Police Jaspal Singh acting as an enforcer for powerful vested interests, laid bare just how compromised the state's institutions have become. When the heat started building he was packed to Delhi.
And then there is the murky case of former Chief Secretary Puneet Goel, hurriedly transferred to Delhi after revelations that he allegedly manipulated land-use designations to purchase prime property in Aldona. His swift transfer speaks volumes about the BJP government's desperation to sweep its corruption under the rug. The pattern is undeniable: under Pramod Sawant's leadership, corruption has become institutionalized. Goa today is not governed; it is plundered.
Govind Gaude's ouster is not a victory for accountability—it is a warning. A warning that in Sawant's Goa, the real crime isn’t corruption—it’s exposing it. The Chief Minister has long since forfeited any moral right to continue in office. For the sake of Goa’s dignity and its democratic future, Pramod Sawant and his tainted cabinet must resign immediately.
Tuesday, 10 June 2025
White Coats, Black Hearts: Goa’s government doctors must be held accountable. – By Nisser Dias
Since June 7, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has been rightly slammed for his autocratic dressing down of Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, the Chief Medical Officer at Goa Medical College (GMC). But while the spotlight has remained fixed on Rane’s conduct, it's high time we shift our focus to the other side of the story — the unchecked arrogance and systemic apathy displayed by government doctors, nurses, and medical staff at GMC and other state-run facilities.
Let’s not pretend any longer that these doctors are saints in white coats. On a daily basis, patients and their families are subjected to the same kind of high-handedness and rudeness from medical staff that Rane is being condemned for. The only difference? Doctors do it behind closed doors, under the guise of service, and often without witnesses.
Speak to anyone who has stepped into GMC or any government hospital in Goa — their stories are not of care and compassion but of distress, humiliation, and dehumanization. Patients are often treated like a burden, families like intruders. The government healthcare system, meant to be a safety net, instead feels like a battleground where dignity is the first casualty.
If one does not know a politician, a doctor or a nurse working in GMC or uses external influence, the patients and the relatives are treated like dirt by the same doctors. Take the most recent example: the Bicholim Health Centre has a board that reads “No Entry for Media Persons.” Who gave them the authority to shut out the press? This brazen display of overreach shows how emboldened government doctors have become. With Rane momentarily cornered, doctors now seem to think they are a law unto themselves.
And now, as if irony had a sense of humour, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) are up in arms, demanding a public apology from the minister himself — right inside the casualty ward. Not only that, they’re pushing for a slew of unreasonable demands designed to shield them from scrutiny and responsibility.
One of the demands is no VIP culture, ironically they bowed down to the requests of the CM who also is VIP.
Let’s not forget: these very same doctors, whether at GMC, urban clinics, or rural health centres, were educated and are salaried through public money — taxpayer money. Every Goan has contributed to their degrees and continues to fund their monthly salaries and perks. Their service is not a favour; it is a duty.
But what we’re seeing is a disturbing trend: an elite class of government doctors acting with the same entitlement and impunity as Goa’s notorious tourist taxi operators. Like the cabbies who bully tourists and refuse competition, these doctors want to control healthcare on their own terms — no questions asked, no answers given.
We made a mistake once by allowing the taxi mafia to fester unchecked due to political cowardice and vote-bank politics. Let us not repeat that blunder with the healthcare system. We cannot let a privileged few hijack an entire public service.
Accountability is not optional — it is non-negotiable. Government doctors are public servants. That title comes with responsibility, not immunity. If they expect respect, they must earn it through service, not demand it through threats, strikes, and entitlement.
To be absolutely clear: Goans are not asking for miracles. We are demanding humane treatment, transparency, and professionalism; the bare minimum any taxpayer deserves. It’s time government doctors come down from their pedestal and remember who they truly work for.
Let’s not pretend any longer that these doctors are saints in white coats. On a daily basis, patients and their families are subjected to the same kind of high-handedness and rudeness from medical staff that Rane is being condemned for. The only difference? Doctors do it behind closed doors, under the guise of service, and often without witnesses.
Speak to anyone who has stepped into GMC or any government hospital in Goa — their stories are not of care and compassion but of distress, humiliation, and dehumanization. Patients are often treated like a burden, families like intruders. The government healthcare system, meant to be a safety net, instead feels like a battleground where dignity is the first casualty.
If one does not know a politician, a doctor or a nurse working in GMC or uses external influence, the patients and the relatives are treated like dirt by the same doctors. Take the most recent example: the Bicholim Health Centre has a board that reads “No Entry for Media Persons.” Who gave them the authority to shut out the press? This brazen display of overreach shows how emboldened government doctors have become. With Rane momentarily cornered, doctors now seem to think they are a law unto themselves.
And now, as if irony had a sense of humour, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) are up in arms, demanding a public apology from the minister himself — right inside the casualty ward. Not only that, they’re pushing for a slew of unreasonable demands designed to shield them from scrutiny and responsibility.
One of the demands is no VIP culture, ironically they bowed down to the requests of the CM who also is VIP.
Let’s not forget: these very same doctors, whether at GMC, urban clinics, or rural health centres, were educated and are salaried through public money — taxpayer money. Every Goan has contributed to their degrees and continues to fund their monthly salaries and perks. Their service is not a favour; it is a duty.
But what we’re seeing is a disturbing trend: an elite class of government doctors acting with the same entitlement and impunity as Goa’s notorious tourist taxi operators. Like the cabbies who bully tourists and refuse competition, these doctors want to control healthcare on their own terms — no questions asked, no answers given.
We made a mistake once by allowing the taxi mafia to fester unchecked due to political cowardice and vote-bank politics. Let us not repeat that blunder with the healthcare system. We cannot let a privileged few hijack an entire public service.
Accountability is not optional — it is non-negotiable. Government doctors are public servants. That title comes with responsibility, not immunity. If they expect respect, they must earn it through service, not demand it through threats, strikes, and entitlement.
To be absolutely clear: Goans are not asking for miracles. We are demanding humane treatment, transparency, and professionalism; the bare minimum any taxpayer deserves. It’s time government doctors come down from their pedestal and remember who they truly work for.
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