Frequently, I wonder why Goans are called ‘susegad’. Are we Goans called ‘susegad’, because of our physical position – a cool and a quiet place with silver sands, soothing sunsets, serene surrounding, mighty mountains, running rivers and farmer’s fields; almost like a corner of the Garden of Eden?
Are Goans called ‘susegad’, because visiting outsiders, who came in my slate and pencil days, tagged us so, finding us as mild as a lamb, living and breathing a carefree life, carelessly sleeping with open doors without the fear of thieves?
Are Goans called ‘susegad’, because we crave for relaxation after a hard day’s work with a small peg in the tavern, chit-chatting in our ‘balcao’ and indulging in gossip which is the primary pleasures of life, and enjoying the 40 afternoon winks? Is it because we do not unnecessarily choose to overwork just to satisfy hunger for money?
Does ‘susegad’ mean that we ‘let the grass grow under our feet’? Careless men who think like this should reflect how Goans, all over the world, are making waves in every field. How united we stood during the ‘Opinion Poll’ not to merge with Maharashtra but to remain as a union territory; how we flared up and flamed up during the language agitation to insist that our mother tongue is Konkani and hence should receive the official status. How we raised a storm and broke the peace, how we rose and levelled trees. Doesn’t this mean that we are no longer ‘susegad’?
Goans after coming together with our motherland, have melted like butter in a hot pan – we have started chewing ‘ghutkaa’ and ‘paan’ and started spray painting with it at all the public places. Our elections are not fair and square – votes are bought. Our politicians make a U turn to their promises after elections. They, like those of any other non-Goan State create chaos in the country because that is the only way to be in power.
Since enjoying 54 summers of liberation of Goa by Indian forces and the fall of Portuguese India, we are completely changed – we live a fast forward life; our fields are concretized, our forests are raped, our hills are flattened causing environmental disaster and ecological damage. Life is fast with fast cars, fast foods, fast drivers and fast accidents.
Look at Goa and Goans today. There is a sea change from our ancient Goan cultural to modern Goan cultural habits. Cops report about gangs scattered throughout Goa like shells on Goan beaches, itching hands of chain snatchers, climbing legs of coconut ‘chors’, best brains stealing scooters, promising purse pilfers, highway hooligans armed with iron rods, and broken beer bottles, easy flow of drugs, illegal massage parlous and many similar things.
Despite these strange combinations of meekness and ferociousness the term ‘susegad’ still continues to disturb us even today. We do not like to be called ‘susegad’. Does anyone still think that this soubriquet ‘susegad’ fits us?
