Sir,
We now have one Srikhanta Rao sermonising to us Goans about our dependence on
neighbouring States. The argument about vegetables and milk gives the
impression that Goans are thriving merely on migrant benevolence. He tries to
glorify the role of Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and karnataka in the
liberation of Goa but forgets that an Opinion Poll was thrust upon Goans by
those greedy forces trying to corner this pristine land. The colonisation now
continues in a covert fashion.
Interdependence on other States does not give anyone the licence to
systematically eliminate a particular ethnic community and its rich heritage.
How many Moti Dongor and Chimbel type slums were set up by goans migrating to
neighbouring States? Did Goans tranform every open space into a public toilet?
Have Goans imposed their language and culture and despised that of the State
they have migrated to? How many swords and daggers did Goans import into that
region? These are important questions that need to be answered before lecturing
Goans on tolerance. Goan hospitality has been exploited to the core and there
lies the problem.
-Soter D'Souza
Socorro
