by Cedric Silveira
THERE are two kinds of people in the world. The first are the silent type, who keenly observe and are reluctant to let others know their grievances. The other is the boisterous type, who love to make their presence felt and do not shy away from creating a scene.
Last Friday, I happened to come across the latter at a drug store in Panaji. As I was paying the bill, a shabbily dressed foreigner came to the store and asked for a particular medicine. The sales girl�s reply in the negative enraged him and all of a sudden he blew up.
He said, �I have been in Panaji since morning and wherever I have gone I have taken note that the people are stuck-up, bored, gloomy, not ready to help.� Besides a list of words which I dare not put in print. He went on to say �Where is Rama, where is Krishna? Is it only dollars which count?�
I understood all that he had said later on. Perhaps it was wrong on his part to indulge in theatrics and upset the working of the store. On the other hand could he be right in a way or so as to give vent to his frustrations?
We are often caught up with problems and tend to be less sensitive to the needs of others. Yet, I am sure that in any city around the world one would have been treated in the same sense of indifference as he was in Panaji. Or perhaps he was under the impression that Goa being a paradise for tourists, everyone would be extremely hospitable and receptive towards him. Or maybe he was simply yearning for familiar faces and his family back home.
Many years ago I recall, a family friend had gone to America. After the first few weeks were over and the initial charm and novelty had worn out, he became homesick and longed to speak to a Goan and that too in Konkani. So much so that he would approach any dark skinned passer-by on the road and inquire whether he was from Goa. He ultimately met a Goan, who unfortunately for him had long forgotten to speak Konkani.
I also remember a story of a man who had gone to the Gulf for work but started getting headaches. He went from one doctor to another seeking a panacea for his ailment. Finally he was directed to a psychiatrist who told him that he was suffering from nostalgia and the only remedy available to him was to go back to his native place.
Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonstha Goan Welfare Society-hancea asrea khal machier hadtta "Konknni Machiek Noman" (songitan) Febrerachea 4 tarker 2005 at Gulf English School Auditorium, Kuwait featuring Miss Lorna, Comedian Domnic, Luis Bachan, John D'Silva, Meena Leitao, Menino Mario, Sabina, Francis de Tuem, Adolf, and Goa's ace trumpeter Agnelo Dias with 13 Kuwait-based musicians and scores of KGTS member artistes.
Gulf Goans e-Newsletter yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ Moderator Gaspar Almeida /Presented by Uly Menezes www.goa-world.com/goa/ since 1994
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