I had many remarks from many Goan I will try to answer some. First as the debate borders on racism and religion, I should first state what I am in the eyes of those who judge by birth: I am a Canara Hindu GSB, so I trace my ancestry to Goa. I am an agnostic. One is free to comment on my bias, for I believe History depends on what you are and I do not put myself above bias. I do believe ones perspective on history depends on ones birth and circumstances. Was British rule more benign than Portuguese? Ans: Britain has the longest democratic tradition to date. So, it had some checks and balances. Democracy came to Portugal after liberation of Goa - 1975 or so. So Authoritarian rule back home had no effect on the colonies? If Portuguese rule was so great why did so many Catholics migrated to the Canara during their rule, That too pretty early during 17th and 18th century? Catholic population of Canara is more than five lakhs! Please note that I have not used any derogatory words like mangies, as used by Bernado Colaco in his reply. I am amused - may be I had hit the nail on its head - that's probably why I am getting abused - you are welcome Bernando. About Catholic second names: D Cunha, DeSa and Fernandez are Portuguese Family names. We have protestant converts who just change their first names to indicate their change in faith. Eg: Ronald Praveen Kumar, Godwin Prabhakar or Simon Karkada. When you are forced to change your family name you show disrespect to your ancestry. You changed your religion because you find the one followed by your ancestors did not deliver - OK. By the same count when you change your family name ...... *Remember family names like D Cunha, DeSa and Fernandez have nothing to do with Christanity* and they have everything to do with Portuguese families. Show me one GO of British India which disallowed Indians from conversing in their mother tongue! Can you say the same of the Portuguese? I do not in any way support Goa's invasion by India. I feel that People of Goa should have been left decide their own fate. But that does not mean one should not try to have a rational look at history. Try to have an impersonate reading of history. I know it is difficult, but unless one tries it, the process of arriving at relative truth becomes more difficult.
upkamath
