In my first blog "Goa of my dreams... The proud Goan identity" I defined "Goan Identity" as a "sense of BELONGING to our ancestral land and community". I also explained that "konkani" (our mother tongue) is only a means of communication between the people of our community and nothing more.
In the last blog, I also emphesied that it is our ancestral land (Goa) and the local community are the most important components of our "Goan identity". I also said that, that, if we continue to sell our ancestral land to others, and remain "indifferent" to the burning needs of our local community, a day may come when Goa will loose its beautiful "Goan Identity". And I am not prepared to accept such a possibility anymore.
In the last blog, I also emphesied that it is our ancestral land (Goa) and the local community are the most important components of our "Goan identity". I also said that, that, if we continue to sell our ancestral land to others, and remain "indifferent" to the burning needs of our local community, a day may come when Goa will loose its beautiful "Goan Identity". And I am not prepared to accept such a possibility anymore.
Now, why is "Goan Identity" so important to me? For sure, it is not for any narrow minded, communal or sentimental reasons. I am proud of my "Goan Identity" only because it is based on the principals of "peaceful coexistence and tolerance towards the cultures of other communities". Our broadminded "Goan Identity is so beautiful,that we Goans are acknowledged as "peace and fun loving" people. We Goans know to live in harmony, and can adjust in any part of the world. It is for this reason, Goans are 'loved' and welcomed to work/live in all parts of the globe.
I am also proud of my "Goan Identity" because it has a long history of "high resilience and survival". Although Portuguese and other foreign invaders ruled us for over 500 years, divided our Goan community into Hindus, catholics and muslims, they could not destroy our "Goan Identity". On the contrary, many of these foreigners embraced our "Goan Identity" and fell in love with it. Many of them got married to our local people and chose to live in our midst. Even the greatest saint of the catholic church, St. Francis Xavier willed that, his body remains in Goa after his death. And his non-perishable body is there with us till today!
My "Goan Identity" also has a 'longer' history of "Community Centered and Eco-friendly Living". Hundreds of years ago, my forefathers developed Asia's first Community Centered and Eco-friendly Living Project called the "Gaunkari system"... a socio-economic- agricultural system that took great care of our land and the needs of our community. Our former Portuguese rulers loved that system so much, that they supported it, helped our forefathers to reorganize it and rechristiened it as "Communidade".
With this brief history of "Goan Identity", it should be obvious to you why I am so proud of my "Goan Identity". It should also be clear to you, that no "well informed Goan" can be against any non-Goan living in our land "legitimately". On the contrary, there have been so many inter-community marriages in the past, that 80% of todays Goans (like me) feel, that the very idea of distinguishing the local people (living in Goa) as "Goans and non-Goans" is irrelevant, and has to be dumped into the dustbin of history.
However, there is a slight shift in present Goa's 'ground reality'. Although Goa got liberated in the year 1961, I am convinced that we Goans are not really "liberated". The post-liberation era has produced a new category of "invaders"... the ruthless thugs and plunderers of Goa, rightly referred to as "Anti-Goans" by many. Sadly, most of these "anti-Goans" are our own people, the so called shameful, blue blooded Goans. They have already done a considerable damage to Goa, and are attempting to 'finish' our identity with their greed and irresponsible behaviour.
I want to write it very clearly, and in bold letters... I am against "Anti- Goans", and I am not prepared to take their 'nonsense' anymore. On behalf of every "Self-respecting Goan", and on behalf of my worthy ancestors, I declare a War on these evil, Anti-Goan forces. They have no right to destroy Goa and work against the interests of our community. And if they think they have a right to abuse Goa, my self-pride commands me to act accordingly and do the needful!
As 'part one' of my action plan, I will be using this blog to create the necessary "awareness" among the well wishers of Goa and Goans. I will be writing on various issues that are disturbing me and many other Goans (living in Goa and across the globe). As I wish to ACT on these issues in the near future, I am looking forward to your "active participation" by way of comments and suggestions. I want to listen to your heart very attentively!
And as you wait for my next blog (which I will be uploading every Saturday), let us together say "Cheers to Goa and Goan Identity". Cheers!
However, there is a slight shift in present Goa's 'ground reality'. Although Goa got liberated in the year 1961, I am convinced that we Goans are not really "liberated". The post-liberation era has produced a new category of "invaders"... the ruthless thugs and plunderers of Goa, rightly referred to as "Anti-Goans" by many. Sadly, most of these "anti-Goans" are our own people, the so called shameful, blue blooded Goans. They have already done a considerable damage to Goa, and are attempting to 'finish' our identity with their greed and irresponsible behaviour.
I want to write it very clearly, and in bold letters... I am against "Anti- Goans", and I am not prepared to take their 'nonsense' anymore. On behalf of every "Self-respecting Goan", and on behalf of my worthy ancestors, I declare a War on these evil, Anti-Goan forces. They have no right to destroy Goa and work against the interests of our community. And if they think they have a right to abuse Goa, my self-pride commands me to act accordingly and do the needful!
As 'part one' of my action plan, I will be using this blog to create the necessary "awareness" among the well wishers of Goa and Goans. I will be writing on various issues that are disturbing me and many other Goans (living in Goa and across the globe). As I wish to ACT on these issues in the near future, I am looking forward to your "active participation" by way of comments and suggestions. I want to listen to your heart very attentively!
And as you wait for my next blog (which I will be uploading every Saturday), let us together say "Cheers to Goa and Goan Identity". Cheers!
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