Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ignited a peculiar debate with his blunt remark on the attitude of Goans, terming it as ‘susegad’. This seemingly innocuous term, referring to the laid-back lifestyle of the coastal State, has taken on a more profound connotation in the eyes of the Chief Minister, symbolizing an ingrained mindset of complacency. However, in his zeal to instil dynamism and urgency among the youth, the Chief Minister appears to have strayed too far from the truth, trivializing the complexities of Goa’s unique cultural heritage.
By suggesting that the ‘susegad’ attitude is a byproduct of the Portuguese colonial era’s intention to keep Goans lazy, Sawant inadvertently perpetuates a false narrative. While it is undeniable that the colonial era did influence the State’s social, cultural, and economic systems; attributing the current ‘susegad’ mentality to a deliberate attempt by the Portuguese to pacify the local population is a misrepresentation.
Portuguese have left an indelible mark on the lives of the Goans and their lifestyles. One of the habits that survives even now is the afternoon post-lunch siesta. The prime reason behind the nap was that people—from the labour class to traders and shopkeepers—used to get up early in the morning for their chores and needed a short mid-day nap to revitalise. The habit has nothing to do with laziness. Goans, like people in other small island nations, have long prized the concept of ‘dwell time,’ allowing themselves to pause, unwind, and recharge amid a fast-paced economy.
The Chief Minister’s assertion that Goans are lazy due to their shop closing hours is an unfair characterization of a people who have long been known for their hospitality, resilience, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. The rallying cry to ‘remain busy to come out of this mindset’ is admirable, but it ignores the importance of balance in life and runs broadly on the lines of another controversy recently stoked by L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s 90-hour workweek remarks. His dictum, “everything is easy when you are busy, but nothing is easy when you are lazy,” sounds eerily like the tired, clichéd refrain of the ‘productivity cult,’ which has been criticized for promoting burnout, stress, and an unhealthy obsession with achievement.
The CM may have been concerned about Goa’s economic stagnation and lack of innovation, but the solution lies not in stigmatizing the youth but in embracing the complexities of our heritage and leveraging their strengths. The need of the hour is to understand the ground realities and accept them. Opportunities need to be seized with both hands, but there is also the need to understand that joblessness still remains an issue. The standard of living in Goa has risen in humongous proportions, and inflation is mounting, putting life beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
Rather than urging Goans to abandon their ways, the Chief Minister should focus on promoting sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and community-driven initiatives that empower the people to contribute to the economy of the State without sacrificing their essential values and traditions. Sawant has undertaken some excellent initiatives which can be taken forward at the very Goan pace without going into any overdrive.
We must be cautious not to lose sight of the intricacies of our cultural heritage and it is essential that we balance the need for dynamism and progress with the importance of preserving the very essence that makes Goa so endearing – the spirit of Goans, their resilience, and joie de vivre.
