Heres what the Merriam -Webster dictionary has to say Citizen Relationship between an individual and a state in which the individual owes allegiance to the state and in turn is entitled to its protection. In general, full political rights, including the right to vote and to hold public office, are predicated on citizenship. Citizenship entails obligations, usually including allegiance, payment of taxes, and military service. The concept arose in ancient Greece, where citizenship was granted only to property owners. The Romans initially used it as a privilege to be conferred upon or withheld from conquered peoples, but it was granted to all the empire's free inhabitants in AD 212. The concept disappeared in Europe during the feudal era but was revived in the Renaissance. Citizenship may normally be gained by birth within a certain territory, descent from a parent who is a citizen, marriage to a citizen, or naturalization. See also nationality.
Nationality Affiliation with a particular nation or sovereign state. People, business corporations, ships, and aircraft all have nationalities. Nationality is inferior to citizenship, insofar as the latter implies a full set of political privileges and the former does not. Countries have limited rights to determine which of their inhabitants will be their nationals. People generally acquire a nationality by birth within a particular country's territory, by inheritance from one or both parents, or by naturalization. It may change or be augmented or taken away if a country cedes control of the territory where one lives to another country. As per the above it is clear that, till 1962, the people of Goa were citizens of Portugal as well as Portuguese nationals. From 1962 to 1973/4 the people of Goa were Portuguese citizens with Indian nationality. In other words prisoners of war. IF the treaty of 1973/4 signed between India and Portugal ending hostilities was ratified, the area known as Goa was no longer a state or province of Portugal. The People of Goa become Indian nationals. However from 1961 the GOI recognised the people of Goa as " citizens "of India. The GOP also recognised the people of Goa as citizens of Portugal. We therefore had dual nationality. Nobody asked the people of Goa their opinion regarding these changes. Therefore any forceful implementation of citizenship on the people of Goa defies international law. So the impasse continues. As per the definition citizenship does not change. Nationality can. We are therefore Portuguese citizens with Indian nationality. We have lived with this situation for the last 62 years. No one wants to rock the boat as having a plebiscite now would be disastrous. Those who have registered / recorded their births in Portugal have done so with the intention of claiming Portuguese citizenship and recognised as citizens of Portugal. But if residing in Goa are Indian Nationals. The present situation allows them to do so. Let us reach an understanding, if you have recorded your birth in Portugal and accepted citizenship, but still live in Goa, the people of Goa have no Issue. If the GOI has an issue, then do not take employment in GOI establishments. I do not know any Goans who have loyalty to any country but Goa. India is claiming Goa. Portugal has an emotional attachment to Goa. What do we Goans want? The continuation of the Status Quo. As far as I'm concerned, my birth certificate issued in Bombay declares my nationality as unknown. As the GOI recognised my Parents as Citizens of Portugal. So by birth I am a Citizen of Portugal. I have lived all my life in India, travelled the world on an Indian Passport, voted in every election. Support the Indian cricket and hockey teams, as well as the Portuguese and Brazilian together with Dempo Football teams. I could not care which passport I use, I will caste my vote anywhere in the world. I do not care who calls me what. It does not matter. I my heart I am and will always be a Goan. Sets me free, my iPad3 Freezing cold. Hot beaches
