Fred has expounded a new theory on biblical lines -- Goans who left Goa for economic reasons or stayed in cities post-liberation are Goa's lost tribes. In the Bible, ten of the 12 tribes were exiled by the Assyrians from Israel According to one story, one of the tribes came to India. Fred is confused if the Goans who remained in Pakistan (or perhaps all Goan communties living in foreign lands) are a "tribe" or "prodigal children". Those who also left Goa for other cities in India to find jobs are thus also "prodigal children." I request him to re-read the parable of the lost son in Luke's Gospel and then come back and tell us if all Goan migrants are "prodigal children" in the same sense and manner the "prodigal son" is. I doubt expats feel as "aliens back home." Are some of the expats living in Goa feeling that way? How do politicians take away property by "sleight of hand" (t missing in Fred's piece) and vanishing record tricks? The land grab has been done by illegal means and not by magic. Many have seized even "evacee properties" left behind by those who went to Portugal. Why do you "suspect" about expats being disogranized themselves and that these Goans "might not understand their own issues." This statement really amuses me, and if should also make expats Goan raised their eyebrows. Fred seems to sure that all Goans living abroad are dummies who don't even know what is in their backyards. You better ask the NRI Commissioner's Office regarding the issues and demands that expat Goan bodies have made over the years. Many expats Goans have come to Goa to fight for their land and homes. Some have succeeded while others have failed. Some are still fighting for years. Many ministers who came to Toronto over the years were told of expats issues, particularly regarding land and houses that belong to them but are in dispute. They have made and are making efforts "to claim part of what is rightfully theirs." (the word 'what' is missing from Fred piece). What else do expat Goans have to claim or rather reclaim that they have lost? Goenkarponn, perhaps.
Eugene Correia
