Certain Pandora's boxes have to be opened and diffused before they explode
and cause major damage. The growing apprehension among Goans, about the
rapidly changing demographics in the state, is one such box which has to be
opened and explored.
---------- Quote: Invitation ------------
Literati is having its first session of the Argumentative Indian on Friday
the 27th January at 5 p.m. The topic is : Are Goans in Goa an Endangered
Species.
The catalyst for this discussion is that Robert S Newman who is an
anthropologist and has written the book "Umbrellas, Goddesses and Dreams :
Essays on Goan Culture and Society" is presently in Goa.
Sandesh Prabhudessai, Editor of Sunaparant, Sucheta Potnis, freelance
writer and columnist,and Fredrick Noronha who is a freelance journalist
shall also put their viewpoints forward. Jason Keith Fernandes who is a
lawyer and academic will be the moderator.
We hope you will come and contribute to the discussion.
Looking forward to seeing you on Friday.
Diviya
Literati
E/1-2782 Gaura Vaddo
(opp.Tarcar Ice Factory next to ABC Farms and La Fenice)
Calangute.
Ph: 2277740
---------- end quote -----
This promises to be an interesting session. About Robert Newman I don't
know much, but the other participants are an interesting mix. Sandesh
Prabhudessai is a firebrand orator and asks very interesting questions. He
is known to throw in a 'googly' that completely changes the perspective.
Sucheta Potnis has made Goa her permanent residence since the last thirteen
years. Does a Goan by choice become a Goan in time? Is a non-native Goan
who lives and works in Goa any less Goan than some Goan-by-birth who lives
a million miles away and visits Goa for two weeks every few years?
Frederick Noronha is a pacifist who has consistently argued that we should
build bridges instead of walls. Jason Fernandes' much evident academic
expertise will definitely be required to moderate audience
participation and ensure that this does not degenerate into a slinging match.
I hope the organisers will record (and perhaps even video film) the
discussion. A transcript of the discussions would set the pace for a much
larger debate with mass participation.
Some questions that beg to be asked:
1) Do ever-migratory Goans have the moral right to deny the outsider a
place in the Goan sun?
2) How do we define the outsider? Are there desirables and non-desirables
among them?
3) Are Land Ownership restrictions the answer? Can they be effectively
implemented?
Wild horses will not drag me away from this discussion on Friday. I am
amenable though to any offers of liquid intoxication after the debate. The
colour of your money, or your skin, is not relevant in the post-debate
debate. Can you distinguish between Siolim Caju Feni and Sanvordem Caju
Feni? What's the difference between an igorz, an irmit and a copel? Why
wasn't V. M de Mallar not on the debate panel? These are the questions we
will ponder about later - insiders and outsiders alike!
Cheers!
Cecil
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