How the Pak connection is keeping Goan origin folks from their 'homeland'

We have heard stories of how Goans loved the life in Karachi from family and friends who decided to carry on living their well settled lives in Karachi after Partition in 1947. What They might have not realised that in the future, their second and third generation would have great difficulty in travelling back to their own hometowns and that their ancestral property would no longer belong to them. Though the love for the state is strong, their journey home would not be easy. Marco Monteiro, a Karachi born and now an Australian citizen, is still yet to get clearance to visit the state.

Adv Narendra Sawaikar, Commissioner for NRI Affairs Government of Goa says, “Karachi Goans are based in Pakistan and this decision comes from the Union government. These are very delicate issues. Every country has their own laws and their own procedures when dealing with other countries. There are many Karachi Goans who have visited Goa and almost 200-250 came especially for the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier. Regarding Marco Monteiro’s visit, we are awaiting a note from the Central Government.”

2015 Konkani film ‘Enemy?’ was produced by A Durga Prasad and directed by Dinesh Bhonsle. The film won the Best Konkani film Award at the 63rd National Film Awards was also screened at the International Film Festival 2015 in Goa. However, most importantly what it did was bring the issue of Enemy property to the fore. “The subject was brought to us through Mihir Vardhan, collector of North Goa as he came across this problem and he was dealing with many cases that were declared as Enemy property. The film did very good and I got feedback from Karachi Goans who are now settled in Canada and different parts of Europe. No one was aware about the Enemy Property Act, 1968. Once the property is declared as Enemy property, Central Government takes over the land. The state government has no say in it. Many Goans who later became Pakistani citizens prefer to migrate to the West especially European countries, Canada, Australia or USA. Those who visit Goa, have to report to the local police station every week which is a hindrance in their holidays,” says Dinesh.

Though one of the smallest states of India, Goa, is fourth when it comes to enemy property with 263 properties. Enemy properties in Goa are those whose survey numbers are registered in the names of Goans who migrated to Pakistan in 1947. After these Goans accepted Pakistani citizenship, their properties were declared enemy properties in 1965.

Peter Mendes, a businessman in Karachi has his roots in Goa. His father is from Arpora and his mother from Nerul and he visits his home in Goa as often as possible. “It is only in the past two years that we have been facing problems with the visas. Before that there was no problem. Only the present government is making it difficult. I have been getting groups of sometimes 400 people for religious tours to Goa since 1996-1997 and I never had problems in the past. There are nearly 20,000 Karachi Goans and the number has gone down over the years as many have migrated to countries like Australia, Canada, USA etc. However, the Indian Government doesn’t make things easy for Pakistani citizens. Many are facing problems with their own properties,” explains Peter.

On a more positive note, the Goans of Karachi still keep their ties strong with Goa. They have been celebrating World Goa Day for over two decades and since two of their former presidents, Maurice Coutinho and Deborah Santamaria migrated to Canada and United States of America respectively, they are now looking forward to organise the next World Goa Day with more cheer. In the past, the festivities included Goan dishes, a variety of Goan delicacies and events that bring the community together socially and spiritually.