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| Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - Joao da Veiga Coutinho |
| POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James |
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To A.Veronica Fernandes and Martinho,
This is a quick but belated response to fairly long posts from you two
gentlemen.
Firstly, urging and motivating Goans from the Diaspora to return to Goa is
understandable but quite unlikely to happen except for those in the Gulf
area. Gulf Goans are temporarily there because permanent settlement in the
Gulf is not possible. Most of those who are there have invariably seen
return to Goa as inevitable, except for small numbers who have used the Gulf
as a springboard to other places, especially in the West.
In contrast, many in the West were already UK citizens, for example, or have
become citizens there or in places like Canada, USA or NZ/Australia. They
are most unlikely to 'return' to Goa in fair numbers in my view. They have
put roots down which are now well grounded. Moreover, some of these are
possibly third and fourth generation people well removed from Goa. Their
chances even for purposes of retirement in Goa, in significant numbers, are
simply remote. Moreover, economically productive people tend to be younger
and Goa would not want to be burdened by ageing expatriates.
Re Martinho's point about the UK letting the Goans down for not going to the
assistance of Portugal in 1961, as an ally, is really not tenable. Following
WW2 and
particularly Indian Independence, there was a period of rapid decolonisation
promoted by many anti-colonial movements and indeed by the United Nations
itself. A stark example was in 1956 when Britain, and France, with Israeli
collusion, attacked and overran Nasser's Egypt because of the Suez Canal.
However, a fairly bankrupt Britain was forced to pull out quickly when there
was no support from the USA and the former Soviet Union. There was also
Macmillan's Wind of Change speech which in many ways, heralded rapid
independence for many African countries. In short, the idea of the UK, as an
allay aiding Portugal to retain Goa, whether as a Portuguese colony or as a
Portuguese overseas territory (or whatever) was a non starter to even
consider.
Those who find it difficult to accept that Goa is part and parcel of India
and wish it did have some kind of autonomous status, must bear in mind that,
it was the obdurate Salazar who killed such a possibility, however remote.
An alternative enlightened Portuguese prime minister could possibly have
negotiated a deal with Nehru for an interim degree of autonomy for Goa.
Thus, for those disappointed that this did not happen, I think the blame
lies squarely on Portugal and no one else. Indeed, the poorest colonial
European power, Portugal, desperately hung on to its colonies in Africa
until forceably driven out as in Goa. Portugal simply failed to see the
light when other colonial countries were inclined, like Britain, to promote
the (debatable) progressive idea of a Commonwealth for newly independent
countries.
Finally, I am very critical of the corruption and lack of many improvements
in Goa despite progress on many fronts, especially, in the greater
availability of education. But the State is drawing in new people who are
effectively new Goans and are likely to re-vitalise the State and make up
for the historic exodus from Goa. Thus, with great respect, nostalgic
sentimentalities about a Goa that perhaps once was are unhelpful today if it
is to make progress for all the people who are now resident there.
Cornel DaCosta
