By Roland Francis Source: Goan Voice UK, Daily Newsletter, 7 Oct. 2012, at www.goanvoice.org.uk Full text:
In no time at all the Goan, as the world knew him or her, will soon disappear. Already in Goa, for better or for worse, there is a speedy assimilation of the Goan with his Indian countrymen. Habits have changed and character shed, followed by speech and mannerisms in rapid sequence. The final markers that indicate a complete remake are the thought processes. Once that changes, the transformation is complete. For Goans in Bombay, assimilation didn't happen as easily. Their small numbers in a big cosmopolitan city protected them while providing distinct advantage over the less westernized (at that time) Indian. Then globalization took place, India became a favored investment destination, money rained all over the city and voila, the urban Indian became almost another Goan instead of the other way around, as happened in Goa. In the western spectrum, Diaspora assimilation turned out to be a gradual, natural progression. Of the first generation, the East African who already had close interaction with British nationals in the workplace but was largely separated in the social context, quickly assimilated. A similar set of conditions was seen with Goans from Gulf countries. The Goan from India was a little different. Not having much western personal contact back home, he tried to stick to his Goan-hood as much as he could without seeing any advantage in assimilation. Not to say he didn't follow the ways of the new country, he just didn't see the benefit of it. Ditto with Goans from Pakistan who sighed with their own relief at finding that now being in secular-Christian countries, they no longer had to cower with religious fear, or at being social targets. All this meant that the first generation Goan immigrant zealously kept his Goan ways in private and in his own community gatherings while quickly donning the mantle of the western societal culture of his new home and citizenship at the workplace and in public. This holding to roots unfortunately has proved all too fleeting and has completely disappeared with the second generation who having been born or almost- born in this new world, knows no different, no Goan way. There is nothing to mourn but lots to keep. No tears need be shed for this natural evolution, but there is also no reason why we cannot preserve those Goan characteristics always worth keeping, for as long as we are able to keep them. Many years ago when my friends sent me a visa to visit them in Bahrain and to see if I could find a better future than what I found comfortable in India, I was amazed at what being Goan meant. I was a city boy, a Bombayite, used to his own personal space and independence. I knew little of what being a Goan meant despite my heritage. The visit to that Persian Gulf sheikhdom changed that. Strangers called me to their homes for lunches and dinners and comfort. I had booked to stay at the Saligao Hotel, a quaintly named Goan inn that was a little Arab style mansion owned by an old-timer tiatrist from Sailgao who let out his rooms with home cooked meals, but these strangers would hear none of that, offering me instead the hospitality of their own homes for that one month. Though I politely refused, the gestures made a lasting impression. People who had heard I was scouting for a job opening would tell me of firms that paid well and currently hiring. Not before and not since have I witnessed any such thing. My experience is not unique. Almost all of us have at some time or other been the recipient of the Goan milk of human kindness. If I have described my wonderment, it is because words fail me when I have to define what being Goan means. If you are able to describe it, then you have not done it sufficient justice. That is what we must keep, while letting go of East African Goan, Bombay Goan, Pakistani Goan, Goan from Goa, Gulf Goan and whatever other Goan there exists, in order to be just Goan. There is much to celebrate in that plain vanilla envelope [?] and much to drop off along the way. Caste, religion, village, education, riches, poverty and personal and family status must all be forgotten. When we see another Goan, we must see ourselves and enjoy that. Time is not on our side but at least there will be no regrets. Roland Francis (roland.fran...@gmail.com )