Francis Ribeiro (Sept.22,09) writes: """ Can anybody tell me who is really a Goan ? I know my ancestors were Hindu Saraswat Brahmins, migrated from the banks of the Saraswati River (i.e. in modern Haryana / Rajasthan ) that does not exist any more.'''
Well, Francis Ribeiro , I think your question 'who is really a Goan ?' could never be answered to the satisfaction of all Goans(Catholics) for the simple reason that more than 90% of them had ancestors who were illiterate. Literacy could have been brought to their doorstep by the bamon churchmen but for reasons best known to themselves , Goans remained illiterates for about four centuries. Notwithstanding that Church had vast properties all these centuries and a small part of it could have been utilized for the educational benefit of their parishioners . But the church did nothing of the sort. But since you proudly state that your ancestors were Hindu Saraswat Brahmins there is a question that has been nagging me for the last 50 years of my life. I shall come to the question later. But let me state that I have been touch with some Hindu Brahmins of Goa whom I have been pestering to inform me whether any of their ancestors had converted to Christianity in Goa only to be met with deafening silence. Now Catholic brahmins were always a literate lot even during the colonial regime that lasted for four centuries.. Catholic brahmins cannot feign ignorance of their ancestors. So will it be possible for you or for any other person who has similar perceptions to state which Hindu Brahmin family you are descended from , which have relatives still living today ?
