[Goanet]Migration: Opportunities for children or wanderlust

[Cecil Pinto]

Salus Correia wrote:
Thanks for staying on in Goa.  Please keep it well and enjoy yourself.  I 
envy you!  We may have a different lifestyle, clothes, houses, and our 
children may have the advantage of choice as far as their careers go, but 
you have GOA!!!

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Dear Salus,

Just for the sake of friendly debate, which will perhaps leave all of us 
better informed, could you qualify the statement that you made of your 
children having an "advantage of choice as far as choice of careers go".

To the best of my knowledge our children here in Goa/India have the best 
educational opportunities. As far as careers go too there is quite a wide 
choice. Remuneration may not be as good as in the West but surely there is 
a choice. And all failing there is ample opportunity for entrepreneurship 
for those who want to make their own path.

I ask this because of a recent conversation I had with an ex-colleague, and 
good friend, of mine who is about to migrate to Canada with his wife and 
two young (primary school) kids. All the paperwork has been done and he 
will leave any day. I asked him if he was indeed going because of better 
educational/ career possibilities for his kids. He said that's the story 
he's telling everyone. But deep inside he's going because he wants to go 
and see a new way of life. He has been relatively successful here. He has a 
house and means of livelihood to fall back on if he decides to come back 
(that they rarely ever come back is another issue entirely). He just wants 
to see a new place and try his hand at a new life. The opportunities for 
his children is a convenient excuse. Is this a common sentiment or is my 
friend unique in his thinking?

Do our people migrate because of an in-built inherited wanderlust or are 
the 'opportunities' for their children the underlying motive? Perhaps Goans 
settled in the West could answer my query through personal anecdotes and 
responses - rather than quoting third-party studies and anonymous statistics.

Cheers!

Cecil
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