Lament for Goenkarponn

Lament for Goenkarponn

Goa is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage worldwide. But there was also another quality of a Goan which was known all over the world. It is ‘Goenkarponn’ – in other words, ‘humanity’.
In olden times, if a person was in need of help, all the people of the village used to come to his aid. If a person had a fall on the road or anywhere else, Goans used to come immediately and lift him up. But today, in most of the cases, the situation has become such that if a person falls, Goans will not come to his aid. Some will stand and silently laugh, but won’t care to give a helping hand.
At least 70 per cent of the Goan people have lost their Goenkarponn. The concept and value of a Good Samaritan is diminishing day by day.

Lasdun D’Souza, Nachinola
(Herald)