hello Goanetters
Coming to think about it, I wonder, why is it that Goa is different from the rest of India? What is it that makes Goans different from the Indians? Aren’t we Indians? What is it that portrays Goans in the international community as non Indians? What is it that brings hoards of International Tourists to Goa, and they immediately fall in love with it? Was it the International film festival that brought more tourists this season, or was it the exposition of St Francis Xavier?
The reason I could think of why Goa is so different was because of the infusions of cultures brought in by the Portuguese and other eras. But mostly by the Portuguese. The only reason tourists feel free in Goa is because the Goan mentality is free almost at par with theirs,(although gradually changing with more and more residences taken by non-Goans in Goa), again an European mentality that too due to the Portuguese. People from all walks come to Goa to see the carnival which is promoted by government which again is a culture brought by Portuguese. The way of dressing, which is a rarity in other parts of India, and that is not only by the Christians, but all faiths again the Portuguese. Drinking Alcohol, its rare to find a Goan drink bottoms up. He will drink and talk and than drink and talk etc (when in a group) unlike what one sees in other places. (unfortunately Goans are portrayed as drunks in Hindi movies). Well there are lots of things that are different, one only has to see without malice. And of course as someone mentioned uniform law.
What is it that brought more income for Goa all the years, the Mining Industry or the Tourism industry? Or is there some other source? Goa earlier when it was a union territory, provided money to the center, and the center than gave pea nuts for Goa, but now being a state where is all the money going? Goa’s money helped others to prosper, and now Goa is helping others to prosper Thanks to our able leaders who are only interested in vote banks than the prosperity of the Goans.
We should remember that Goa although was ruled by various kings earlier, the last one to rule was Portugal. How it ruled Goa, only history can tell us but not a falsified history. As falsified history can fool some, but not all. There are many who know the history of Goa better than the ones who rule. BJP has changed the history of India, and now BJP is trying its best to do so with Goa. What we are cannot be changed. We may have belonged to some other religion earlier, which cannot be altered. Goa has lived with it from 1961, and it will live with it for years to come. The leaders should remember that Goa is what Goa is and creating divisions will not alter anything. It has taken almost 400 years for the mentality of Goans to be moulded he way it is, and the BJP is planning to change it by it 5rs or 10yrs or more rule? Is it possible?
My last suggestion if possible is for our able goanet historians to dissect the VCD that is in circulation and write all its drawbacks, where by thru emails we can send it to every known Goan who can read and understand it. As maybe the newspapers might not print it as they may fear the CM’s dictates.
Cheers
Jerry Fernandes
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