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I don't want to enter the debate on migrant voting, but just want to tell
Jean & Marcos Catão that I found their mail most interesting and useful. I
had never heard of Graham Greene's observations on Goa. Just about every
Goan has a story similar to yours (the American lady's remarks). I have my
share too.
Every Goan, and the rest of the world that knows Goa, is aware that Goans
are different from Indians, they have (had) a disctinct identity, and this
includes the Hindus of Goa, who are very different from those across Goa's
borders. Even J.Nehru recognised this officially, but after 1961 didn't care
about it. This identity has been badly mangled by the so-called liberators,
with the Portuguese elements of Goan culture under siege ever since and all
but erased in some aspects (Portuguese language, for instance), as a result
of a deliberate policy of "degoanising" Goa, brainwashing its population,
controlling and / or manipulating its press and media in general,
marginalising the Catholics, imposing alien languages and scripts, etc.,
etc.. Some of these measures are taken by governments elected largely by
non-goan voters, with their own interests and agendas, something perhaps
inevitable when 40% of the population is made up of migrants. But this in
itself is part of the masterplan of the 1961 "liberators".
All this is merely stating the obvious, for most of us, but mind you, this
is going to ellicit violent answers from some Goans, who see no difference
between them and the rest of their countrymen, and do not recognise any
distinctiveness in Goa's culture. They are the Indophile+Lusophobe brigade,
and they are to blame for not recognising the need to preserve the Goan
identity. They will endlessly engage in topics like the Inquisition, the
violence of the Portuguese 500 years ago, the destruction of temples,
Salazar, Pide, and just abou any issue that entails the possibility of a
fresh round of Portugal-bashing (favourite sport on Goanet).
The Indians are the first to acknowledge that Goa and Goans are different.
One just has to hear them or check the media. Some go to the point of saying
that Goa doesn't look like part of India (I wouldn't go that far). This is
confirmation enough of a self-evident fact!
Rui Collaço
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