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If there is one thing I hate it is the perpetual questioning of NRI
contributions to Goa. Goans in Goa think they have acquired martyr status for
staying on in Goa, and the oft repeated question is, "what have you NRIs who
ran away to foreign countries done?"
As the daughter of a life-long NRI, let me explain exactly what NRIs have done.
First of all the definition of NRI is Non-Resident Indian, he is therefore
always an Indian, but resides elsewhere for purposes of work. It does not
include those who have taken citizenship of other countries although now it
generically encompasses them.
Traditionally the bulk of NRIs were those who trudged their way to the hot,
Arabian Gulf and faithfully remitted money every month so as to keep the family
back home alive. My father and mother despite being offered off-shore interest
rates in enticing destinations, remitted their money for 30 years. When it was
time to come home on holiday, my mother would start buying gifts for everyone
in the village, one month in advance. My uncles, who also spent their lives in
the Gulf, made sure half the boys in the village got jobs in the Gulf, they
loaned money for operations, for dowries, for building roofs and to others in
need. More often than not, they never got this money back. In time, what were
basically mud-huts in the village became beautiful bungalows and many who might
have dropped out at 10th standard continued on to complete their graduation.
But leave aside the Gulf-workers, those that went to Africa, remited money to
their families back home. Those that live in the UK and US, still remit money
to those in their family that require it. Some of our US and UK Goans have gone
about raising money for hostipals, put roofs over people's heads, helped their
village Church with extensions, funded scholarships, mentored emerging talent,
the list is endless.
Let me also state categorically, that it is the influx of foreign remittances
that keeps Goa's economy bouyed. Money earned by the sweat of their brow, not
by demeaning themselves or prostituting themselves in shady deals and
get-rick-quick schemes which are all too common in Goa.
So if those Goans in Goa who demean NRIs had any integrity, they would duly
acknowledge the contribution of this community. But integrity is in short
supply all around in Goa and not just with politicians.
selma
