What constitutes Goan identity A flash back of 450 years of repressive rule of Portuguese did not bend the will of the people for unity.That is the identity that is the idea of Goa.Fear and brutality, inquisition, did not deter people against common goal for freedom.Religion did neither divide or unite Goans.They stood as one block. It was neither preservation of culture, traditions or customs which were not the forces of unity.Languages were not the focus of Goan identity.Communal harmony was the hall mark.Kon as a language was degraded as lingua of cooks and butlers and attending Teatro was considered as demeaning the status of attendees.Land again was not considered precious to confine boundaries.It is now sold by land sharks for self enrichment.The communal harmony ,social cultural life that , western influence had that is an attraction to outsiders..Goans never bothered to selectively preserve cultural identity as to merger with motherland and for economic aspects.None wanted to enforce any specific identity associated with majority and minority nor religious denominations The common civil code which is praised by India is another valuable factor that constitutes idea of Goa.The opinion poll was the first wedge to bring into focus religious differences, but unitedly and side by side Goans worked to preserve its unique identity English was prevalent but Portuguese flourished as language of elite and for jobs and higher education in Goa.Mararhi was widely used as spoken language and still today Marathi circulation outstrips all other languages. THE demand for statehood revived the language wars as state in India were formed on linguistic basis.Naturally Kon was the language that could give exclusive identity.Emotional tensions, protests , violence brewed between Kon and Marathi and exploited by politicians to vertically divide an United Goan populations. Finally two languages diluted the identity states being formed on language parameters.The division between Roman Devanagri script for konkani added fuel to fire.Govt to keep controversy alive funded largely the Marathi lobby with spread of Marathi schools and keeping close contact with Maharashtra even after opinion poll settled the issue. What is the idea of Goa can be best visualized by Goans settled abroad when they unite and celebrate as Goans and not as Hindus and catholics or promote culture of any single community .Goans till now never identified on the basis of religion culture etc but coexistence as as a community.The politicians have further increased the wedge on religion as now we see North and South divided on religion TOP functionaries of BJP do not show their presence in the South by any special visits Inter religious marriages and discussions try to mend the gulf of religious divide Accentuated by politics of survival Kon could be a uniting force but those who profess their support of Kon educate their children in English mediums and even knowledge of Kon relaxed for employment purposes.Unity alone, economic progress facilities for education, employment opportunities, remained idea of Goa Special status to put restrictions on limited source of land is a regressive demand today. In many countries the native population is in minority, but that has not dismissed the idea of national identity.Migration emigration is purely fir economic reasons and not create identity between identity Goa of the day is home and residential settlement for all Indians and hence will be home to many cultures and traditions.One cannot expect that Govt give thrust to promote preserve any specific culture ot tradtions.Accept, be tolerant to each other and superiority of any cultural practice cannot be focussed to represent Goan idea Promotion of way of life without conflicts or competitions ,will unify all to live in peace and harmony..It is proud privilege that Goa had no religious riots and politicians have not been able to engineer one.Avoid hatred indifference or emphasize superiority of any particular culture.Carnival as traditions is a big draw and Goa is entertaining capital of India.Tourism promotes Goa, so also cuisine, hospitality that makes a Goan idea Idea of Goa is live and let live, accepting and respecting all cultures and traditions Customs like dashra Sigmo and those of Rajasthan ,Kerela Guerat Bihar etc are enhancing idea of new Goa .Festivals, celebrations do not make idea of Goa When we assimilate other cultures, as Goa has over the centuries western lifestyles that become our own integral part The climate, natural beauty of environment contributes to idea of GoaLet us not appropriate it on religion language, cusine or another factor but as unity in diversify Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
