> > > > > A GOAN IS............. > > by Basilio Magno (Spain) > > > > For over four hundred and fifty years, > > There never was a talk of our identity; > > Portugal was our dear Goa's conquerer, > > Which consequently became its colony. > > > > Of the many kingdoms Goa was formed, > > Portugal forged it into one Luso-State; > > India as a country then was not born, > > Existed only kingdoms and princely states. > > > > But here we're not concerned with history, > > Other than the fact that Goa was Portuguese; > > Their rights or wrongs is not my inquiry, > > That may be debated as each one please. > > > > But the question that is making the rounds: > > "Who is a Goan" and by what yardstick? > > In Goa and the world over Goans are found, > > Their real Goanness we must now seek. > > > > A Goan is the son of the soil, they say, > > But then what will the rest of them be? > > By word "Goan" nationality is not in play, > > But only the status of the Goan community. > > > > So to all purpose and plain reasoning, > > A Goan must truly be one that is born, > > Of Goan ancestral lineage, not withstanding, > > Where he/she is born, in Goa or in London. > > > > It is the lineage that matters and not the place > > Of birth, but the Goan blood in the veins; > > Nationality and community have different face, > > So surely a British Goan can his Goanity claim. > > > > He'll have no right to vote in Goa, it's true, > > Because that's the role of ones nationality; > > But our Goan ancestral lineage is a clue, > > That we belong to the Goan community. > > > > Let's not politicise our dear Goan identity, > > We are not talking here of the Indian nation; > > So whatever may be your present nationality, > > A Goan will remain forever a true Goan. > > > > When Rene asked me to compose an anthem > > For World Goa Day, its title I Goanwise wrote: > > "Proud to be a Goan", it's become a slogan, > > For Goans the world over, who often quote:. > > > > 'Proud to be a Goan,' and they mean it sincerely, > > Knowing well they belong to Goan community.. > > > > > > > > > ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
