With regard to the peoples edit – “Soul searching for Goemkars” by Dr. Ashton Harris in the Herald March 20, a few observations may be relevant in this soul searching.
Surely a Goemkar has always welcomed non-Goans in Goa without discrimination. From 1962 onwards many people from Kerala and Gujarat have settled in Goa and have contributed a lot to the development of Goa. They are part of Goa. Goans are also “outsiders” in the countries to which they emigrate ostensibly for better pastures. But there is always a bearing capacity to everything.
If the Constitution of India provides for the formation of separate states on the basis of language and culture it is first and foremost incumbent on the Government of the state to look after the welfare and interests of the people of the state. Others are welcome, but to the extent that they are needed without outnumbering the people of the state. Goa being a small state this proportion of the numbers is to be maintained.
Of late Goans have been observing that successive Governments have been favouring outsiders over Goans and this is their main complaint. The very delay in finalizing the Goa Regional Plan by the Government of the day even after 3 years in power and deciding the applications with case to case basis amply proves weather the Government stands for Goans or not.
Goans have no organization to unite all Goans to make their voice heard. Unless this organisation materializes Goans will continue to remain a complaining lot.
Visitacao B. Monteiro, by email
