I discuss here Fred's piece, Taking the diaspora seriously?, in his column, Devil's Advocate, in today's Herald assuming that most goanetters, if not all, have read it. Fred raises interesting points regarding the Goan Diaspora. The question in the headline is a disturbing one. Or could be better said like, Should the diaspora be taken seriously? Starting the piece with a joke displays lack of seriousness on the writer's part. The joke has gone around so many times that it falls flat when used now. Since Fred uses it as a metaphor for the recently-held convention, are we supposed to believe that Goans who assembled in London were busy inventing the perfect convention or too busy doing other things when this great event was taking place? I would like Fred to explain in a better way what comparison or contrast he draws between the "light bulb" joke and the Global Goan Convention. Is it couple of "days" back instead of "years"? When Fred uses the word "back home" it seems he is writing from "abroad". True, lack of publicity of the convention in the Goan media was shoocking. I don't know if the "press releases" from the convention whent to all the media outlets in Goa, though I saw one in the Times of India. Maybe the Goan media ignored the event for reasons best known to them. Since the Herald did not use the press releases, it seems outrageous that they let a columnist delve on the convention at length. Fred says "long time of experimenting with rather meaningless 'NRI Conventions." How long is "long time"? Faleiro said that he would get the minutes and follow-up actions regarding all the conventions from 2005. So, technically,the London convention was the seventh. It was not a "recent initiative" but has been going on for the last five years, which, I feel, is quite long time. It is indeed costly but then who cares. If the conventions are not held, it would diminish the office of the NRI Commissioner, a post that was specially created for Eduardo Faleiro. One again Fred is perpetuating the myth of the "Goan crab mentality" when he says "Goan routinely pull down one another". Fred would be well-advised to check if it also happens in other communties. I thought soccer and bar-hoping were the state's most popular pasttimes. Is badmouth an "act" or just a matter of habit? I have noticed that the village tinto or the bar is the favourite joints to engage in gossip which, if taken to its extended meaning, incorporates "badmouthing." It is human frailty and I don't think it is a peculiar a Goan trait. Fred could consult a psychologist on this one. That Goans lack "entrepreneurial and organisational gene" was a common excuse given to show ourselves as better workers, be in the office or industry, than businessmen. This slap-in-the-face remark was directed mostly at Catholic Goans because a large number of this group were in the workforce, be in the metropolitan cities of India, in East Africa or in Goa. The Chowgules, the Salgoakars, the Dhempes, and the Timblos (maybe even the owner of Herald, Raul Fernandes) must be laughing their socks off at Fred's remark. Fred talks about people from Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. I know these people are industrious compared to us. I had a book called The Sikh Diaspora, which I gave a Sikh friend. The Sikhs, however, have a longer history of outmigration from the Punjab than Goans from Goa and elsewhere. It covered the various aspects of Sikh Diaspora live. I know that the Telugus are more into IT-related industry and that Silicon Valley is full of them. He has quoted John Nazareth's figures. I, for one, would not rely on John because of the mere fact that he wrote in the history of the Goan Overseas Association (GOA Toronto) that he was the "youngest president of the GOA" till it was pointed out that it was Martin Rodrigues (one of the two Martins with same surnames) who held that distinction. It was retracted. I edited John's piece and shared the byline with John for the piece that appeared in the 20th anniversary souvenir of the GOA. I edited the souvenir. So, here is the man whose "research" is shoddy, to say the least. I wish no serious researcher takes John's figures without checking them with other sources. However, the same piece, with little addition, was published in the 25th anniversary souvenir and my name was conveniently taken out. I was also on the editiorial committee for the 25th anniversary souvenir but missed a meeting. When I pointed out that I had worked on the piece and I should have equal right to have my byline, the editor ignored it at the subsequent meeting that I attended but John conveniently stayed away as he knew I was going to raise this issue. I have also distrusted these Uganda Goans in Toronto which I have dubbed as the "Uganda Mafia" that had a stranglehold on the GOA, and still does to some extent. What relevance has the "expat" Goan to the elections in Goa? Politicians may or may not care. I met a few Goan politicians on their visit to Toronto and they all promised to help if anyone has problems in Goa. But they forgot you once they go back. That's the reality, dear Fred. I had property problem and, eventually, lost my house to a tenant. I sounded a couple of ministers but they were of no help. I did not approach Faleiro. As I said before, it is easier said than done in getting Goans to work together. The challenge remains but it is an insurmountable challenge, with or without limitations.
Eugene Correia
