Goa, May 30 -- KARSTEN MIRANDA

As Goa marks Statehood Day, several prominent voices from across sectors expressed deep con cern over the direction in which the State is headed, questioning whether it has managed to preserve the identi ty, ecology, social harmony and quali ty of life that once defined it. While acknowledging the signifi cance of Goa attaining Statehood in 1987, many reflected on what they described as uncontrolled development, en vironmental de struction, political instability, demo graphic pressures and the gradual ero sion of Goa's cultural and linguistic character. Senior High Court Adv Cleofa to Almeida Coutinho said the Goa of today was becoming a poor reflec tion of what the State once was. "The main concern is Goa ...