Navhind Times - NT
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Posted by: Navhind Times in Opinion 30 September, 2014
Do Justice to Overseas Goans
I read with great dismay that people of Goan origin, born in Pakistan and
now holding Canadian nationality, are being denied visas by the Indian High
Commission to visit their homeland for the Exposition of the Relics of St
Francis Xavier.This is not only unfair but an insult to Goans. Many Goans
and their families migrated to various countries during the Portuguese
regime in search of jobs. Some of them members may have been born in
Pakistan even a few during the British rule. Their origin does not change
and surely they are proud of being Goans and hence are keen in visiting
their native place. The NRI Commission in Goa did well in intervening and
writing to the Indian High Commission that the Goans' request be granted.
However, what is required from both the NRI Commission as well as the Goa
government is that the central government be taught and told about the
history of Goa, which they surely know but choose to ignore. Goans are not
beggars seeking favours or mercy from the central government or their
embassies and high commissions, whether it is for special status or visas.
Goa was taken over by military force and despite promises by the then prime
minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Goans were never given the right to choose their
status or privileges. Both the Portuguese and the Indian governments
connived to deprive the Goans even of their legitimate rights that needed to
be safeguarded to avoid the situation we are in today. It is time the local
government impresses upon the central government the need to look at Goa
differently from what they presently perceive, since Goa's history is
totally different from other states of India. Let us not create situations
that are best avoided.
JOSE MARIA MIRANDA, Margao
COMMENTS:
Thank you Jose Maria Miranda for coming out this strong to expose the 53
year old denial of the self-determination rights of GOANS by the Indian
Government.
Yes. Let us not create situations that are best avoided. GOANS have been
slumbering over the demand for their rights for all those years. But if the
Central Government thinks that Goans will remain asleep for ever, then it
must think again. Goans born in Goa, Pakistan, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique,
Bombay, Delhi and anywhere else in the world are GOANS, since 1510 and
earlier, who also want to say 'YES' and 'NO' in a UN sponsored REFERENDUM
and feel nice about it.
http://www.goasu-raj.org/gen/news/3569.asp
Cheers
Floriano Lobo
9890470896
http://www.goasu-raj.org/gen/news/3577.asp
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