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CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD
Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at:
http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html
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On 28 May 2007, Selma Carvalho <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote: Re: [Goanet] Tales from the Ojibwe Indian
Ojibwe Indians, like most native American tribes, live
on reservations. Reservations that the US federal
government set up. These proud warriors of the past
have refused to assimilate with mainstream America.
They march to the beat of their own pow-wow drums.
The Ojibwe Indians are a dying nation. Sadly their
dancing reminded me of our weddings where older men
and women strut to the tangos and the waltzes of their
time, while a younger generation limps along trying to
find their own ground.
Yes, Goans are a dying race. There is no doubt about
that but it's not because so many sought jobs in the
Gulf or emigrated to Canada or because we were run
rampant by other cultures. Ultimately it's because
everything living that doesn't have sustenance dies
and is replaced by something else. That's just the way
it is.
On a sombre note,
Selma
Dear Selma:
The pathos rendered in your laconic May 28 post is thought-provoking in its
ominous tone. Your stirring account of the plight of the Ojibwe tribe is
appealing. Drawing a sympathetic parallel, your doomsayer comparison of the
fates of the Ojibwe Indians and Goans is apparently daunting and
discouraging. True there are grounds for credibility in the skepticism of
your Cassandra like prediction. But, while respecting your worthy opinions
and assessments, being an incurable optimist, I shall not give your dire
predictions an outright cachet.
When discussing Goans permanently residing outside Goa, it should be
recognized the vicissitudes of Humankinds History inevitably make a
gradual morphing to new social order through miscegenation and
cultural hybridization or blending . The overarching fact is Goans are
gregarious by nature, driven primarily by economics and demographical
pressures and cannot live in Goan ghettos outside the Motherland. Time and
again our learned friend Mario makes an excellent point here. But with
promotion and retention of certain facets of our culture distinctly within
the Worlds mosaic of cultures, we can continue to keep the Goan generic
profile extant for posterity. Our Goan institutions and expatriate
ambassadors of the Arts, Commerce and various sciences in various parts of
the West, Australia, Africa are doing yeoman service to Goas cause,
carrying its proud banner and making indelible footprints with outstanding
contributions outside Goa. As long as Goans abroad continue to be proud to
call themselves Goans and observe and introduce our customs where practical
with our legendary traditions of genteelness and hospitality, there is
little to fear. Citing precedent, other ethnical expatriates have maintained
their identities for hundreds of years. Take for instance the Chinese,
Italians, Polish, Irish and Spanish.
.
However on the home front, Goans can do a lot more about keeping up our
proud heritage. As you know, the cornerstones of Goan identity in
perpetuity depend entirely . on the arduous preservation of linguistics,
cuisine, the polite sciences, customs and etiquette, traditional dress
and old monuments, edifices and other landmarks. Not to be ignored is
protection of Goas natural landscape and littoral aspects of our
geography, especially the flora and fauna and the concomitant
characteristics of the soil and sea. This also means that one of the
principal ways to stem the tide of dilution of our culture is to prevent
further inroads into Goa of external influences be they from other parts
of India or abroad. Ownership of land should be absolutely restricted to
people of Goan origin. The so called development of Goas resources and
construction activity should be regulated vigorously. Goan economic activity
should concentrated on Tourism, Education and Culturally-related products
and services. Industrial activities that are not environmentally friendly
and take away from the natural scenery and add to population pressures
should be discouraged, Most of all, residency and voter registration
should be strictly controlled. A special Non-Goan residency tax imposed on
all those who are not of Goan ancestry could be an excellent revenue earner
and a sound method to control the influx and permanent presence of non-
Goans. Of course, a strong enforcement infrastructure is a sine qua non to
implement residency laws. The rub lies in defining who is a true Goan from
the point of view of ancestry and established domicile. Lets take a page
from the existing enclaves of the world like Hong Kong, Monaco, Lichtenstein
to learn how we can do better. But that means forgoing our petty differences
based on caste, regionalism and religion if were really interested in
keeping Goa alive. and kicking.
My aforesaid statements may sound a tad too jingoistic but I believe
ultimately they could best serve Goas, Indias and the Worlds interests.
Giving Goas a special distinct place on this Planet provides the World a
unique gem. The magic of its idyllic innocence, brilliance and purity can
continue to bring lasting pleasure, serenity and amity to all who are
influenced by its charm and benevolence.
. Viva Goa !!!
Regards
Arnold
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