--- On Fri, 7/4/08, Arwin Mesquita <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >No where in the Document, have I stated/implied that this identity movement >is Anti-Indian; nor did I state that this was a separatist movement.
Dear Arwin, You have presented a very good plan for interested goans to work towards and I applaud you for trying. I believe you should ignore people like Santosh Helekar who really do not have anything positive to contribute. What can you say to some one who thinks that everyone who contributes to this forum is a bigot? The trouble with people like that is that they are intelligent enough to present counter arguments against anything or anyone and with scant regard to facts. It hardly matters to Santosh that you have not even remotely indicated that this movement is anti-Indian or separatist. He will continue with his absurd arguments anyway. Jersey is very much part of United Kingdom. However, British citizens are not entitled to buy property in Jersey. I have not read anywhere that the residents of Jersey want separation from the UK. In India itself, under article 370 ( I believe), I, as an Indian citizen, am not allowed to buy property in Kashmir. I am also not allowed to buy property in Himachal Pradesh. Yet, these actions have been approved by Indian lawmakers under Indian constitution. Is anyone suggesting that the Indian lawmakers want cessation of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh from India? The other argument that Helekar makes is that Gadgil will be somehow removed from Goa under what what you propose and people like Rajan Parrikar and I support. This is patently absurd. The modalities of who is entitled to a right of abode will be decided if we come to that point as it is decided all over the world when similar negotiations are held by regional parties with the respective central governments. It is then possible, just possible that Helekar himself might not qualify to be a resident Goan but Gadgil would. However, we need to persuade enough Goans that we are looking into an abyss and if we want to do anything to save Goa, the time is now. Finally, the experts who wrote the Indian constitution were visionaries who have made provision for preventing uncontrolled migration between different states under article 19 of the constitution. As such, people who antagonise you will not be able to hide behind the constitution either. However, to accept defeat in an intelligent argument, one needs to show humility. For some people, this word is more difficult than words like Xenophobia, Separatism etc. etc. I wish you well with your meetings in New York and keep up the good work. Dr Anil Desai
