02 Feb 2023  |   04:38am IST

GOANS ARE KNOWN FOR GLOBE-TROTTING

Elvidio Miranda

The entitlement to the Goans who were born before 19th December, 1961 in Goa and subsequent three generations by the Portuguese is now become popular in Goa for obtaining Portuguese nationality and then migrating to various countries so as to improve the quality of lives and earning potential that has made a huge impact on Goa. 

However, though Portuguese nationality has led to a quantum leap in the exodus of Goans, even before Goans were working and earning for Goa in several other countries. Looking back, several Goans were employed in Portuguese African countries such as Angola and Mozambique as well as the British colonies like Kenya and Tanzania. 

Many of our forefathers had very good quality employment opportunities in Africa as well as in Portugal. To recall, also Goans worked in various countries as seamen in different categories and Goan expertise in various fields were being showcased in all the big shipping companies that employed our seafarers. 

Also Goans did not lag behind in partaking of the oil boom and bringing in petro-dollars from countries in the Middle East such as UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and several other Gulf countries where business related to petroleum and other products thrived and attracted a number of Goans. It is pertinent to note that many Goans in the seventies and eighties embarked to make Europe their homes and place of work where several highly skilled and well-educated Goans earned their living and prospered in various fields. 

It is also to be recalled that many Goans who were highly qualified also migrated to the United States, Canada and Australia where they were working even in very high posts such as directors of research institutes, doctors, engineers, architects and also various skilled technicians. Most of the well-educated Goans have also prospered in UK, Germany and France. Most Goans are known to work and earn at least to a certain number of years in foreign countries especially during their youth and thus bring in foreign exchange into the country and the state. It should be stressed here that Goans have performed creditably in many spheres and Goans are in particular known all over the world for their honesty, sincerity and integrity. 

In fact, being a Goan is an added incentive as we are known for being law abiding and trustworthy. Goans who travel to foreign shores not only make up for being employed gainfully but has also for many, many years led to having a high standard of living.

The current phenomenon of Portuguese nationality has led to a major portion of Goan workforce leaving for greener pastures and though in one way it brings in money, it also leads to the dilution of the Goan identity, which however maintains its Portuguese roots. Though Goans have become now global citizens still it is a matter of concern that while Goans have spread its wings far and wide in the globe, still Goa that became a state as a consequence of the Opinion Poll and was conferred the status of a State, still it would be prudent for those Goans going abroad to maintain their ties with this state by keeping their properties and thus maintaining the Goan roots which is getting diluted as a consequence of foreign migration. It is to be noted that the entitlement of the Overseas Citizen of India confers several rights that will be beneficial to Goans so that Goan roots are maintained while also being employed in other countries. The OCI is like an avenue that confers dual nationality and should be used judiciously by the Goans. Remember that Goa is your place of origin. 


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