-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Goanet] Colonial Goa and Portugal
Response from: Gilbert Lawrence Economic Viability of colonial Goa. Thanks for your response. Your report gives a good account of the situation in Goa in the 1950-1961 period. The original question was the economic viability of an independent Goa. As you pointed out the economics of Goa was based on the export of mines and the "business of smuggling" goods across Goa to India. Of course there was the remittances from Goans in India, Pakistan, Gulf, Africa and Portugal. Whatever Salazar had on the drawing boards (committees and juntas to ponder) was just that 'on paper'. Even with hindsight, all these business endeavors made some money for native Goans who were directly involved with these activities. The vast majority of Goans not in the agricultural/fishing occupation had little prospects other than to continue to do what generations did before them - leave Goa for employment elsewhere. So Goans (ironically living abroad) who wanted an independent Goa (and some even now) appear to be more driven by idealism and romanticism with little understanding of the economics of an independent state. Also it is clear that Goa was more of nostalgic value to a right wing dictator in Portugal rather than of any economic benefit. Of course one could say that Portugal never put anything into Goa except for a Governor and a few thousand troops 'on vacation in Paradise'. So like I originally said, "It would not surprise me if Salazar celebrated and thanked Nehru for unloading Goa from an already depressed economy in Portugal." Regards, Gilbert ########################################################################## # 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 # ##########################################################################
