Posted on : 26-02-2016

It is very rarely that I pick up a guy associated with political affairs to write about. But somehow could not resist writing about this one. More because over the recent years, he has not only proven himself as an outstanding performer as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of GOA, but because he also belongs to the engineering fraternity, and has proved beyond measure that good engineers can also shine as bright and upright Legislators. I am referring to Rohan Khaunte, MLA of Porvorim, who celebrates his birthday tomorrow.

His debut into politics was not sudden. It was well crafted and strategically planned with a futuristic vision. And much before he could throw his hat into the arena of State elections, he had had already done a lot of social work through his Yuva Trust and other established fora, with target and result oriented programmes for the benefit of the youth, the ladies and the marginalized of Porvorim. For whatever reasons, he contested as an independent and continues as one till today.

Late last month, while I was re-arranging some office files, I hit upon a copy of the Manifesto, which Rohan had released during his election campaign. On quickly running through it, I had a broad grin on my face. Because unlike many who promise but do not deliver, he had already overtaken and accomplished more than he had promised to his voters much before even the end of his term. And worthily, he has done it all as an Independent — without being a part of the ruling dispensation or without having any portfolio allocated to him — a feat only very few Legislators can manage and are capable of This in itself speaks for his acumen, aptitude and the inherent capacity to get public projects approved, sanctioned and executed.

His vision for this term was virtually a part of a bigger visualized Master Plan, and whatsoever development has taken place in Porvorim has occurred in such a way that wherever it may have been necessary, projects have been taken up in phases, to be supplemented with further sanctions later on, without any wasteful expenditure.

What I admire in Rohan is his administrative acumen, his PR with his components irrespective of party affiliation, his availability to the public, his clarity and seriousness of purpose, an analytical mind and of course his humble approach with a smile. His office is as good as a Secretariat by its own accord, having departments for everything to the last detail and always accessible and open to the public. He is passionate about everything that he does. Importantly he makes the people decide what and how they want things and then works to provide. Does not impose.

Porvorim is factually a Cosmopolis with a cross section of people of various communities, cultures, wavelengths and beliefs. But Rohan has actually been that binding chord which runs through all these, and kept them bound together.

His popularity ranking on the State horizon is also sky high and has not gone unnoticed. It is on the rise like the rising Sun. His performance in the Legislative Assembly has been pragmatic, exemplary, above politics and in the interest of GOA and Goans. In English adage we used to say “calling a spade a spade”. Now in GOA we say “calling a coconut tree a coconut tree” 🙂 🙂 🙂 thanks to Rohan and his close legislator colleagues, who are still campaigning hard to restore the lost glory of the coconut tree in Goa.

Porvorim today is a quasi capital city of GOA. Even the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly is housed here. It is the main connecting artery to the rest of India. It has been the providential fortune of Porvorim to have an MLA in the likes of Rohan. He is young, dynamic, energetic and has a long way to go. And as I have said earlier, he is Chief Minister material. I wouldn’t be surprised that sooner than later, he will don the mantle of the Chief Minister and begin ruling GOA in regal style, bringing in a golden era more glorious than that of the Kadambas of yore, so that the history of GOA is re-written.

Along with my family, I wish Rohan a very happy birthday tomorrow, good health, wealth, peace, prosperity, God’s blessings and a bright future. Viva Rohan!

Archive Photo: January 29,2012.

~ Elmano Dias