The present heavy and uncontrolled influx of immigrants into Goa was well anticipated even at the time of Goa’s merger into India. Hence, a few people who had a vision for Goa and wished Goans well, were keen that some safeguards be put in place, as they could easily foretell that Goa would soon be overwhelmed by hordes of outsiders, particularly considering its small size and sparse population. But the servile and the sycophants, who thought it more important to adore the rising Sun than to save Goa from onslaught, felt otherwise. The patriotism hype displayed by BJP today, was very much evident then. So Goa and Goans were pushed lock, stock and barrel into India without any special rights to which they were entitled, Goa never having been politically a part of the Indian Union and the annexation itself being questionable. Portugal’s keenness in regaining its lost popularity due to Salazar’s colonial policy and our own failure in standing up to a Treaty shockingly and shamelessly signed without any reference to us, was another lost opportunity in 1974.
Goa could surely not do without immigration or migration because the local available work force would be grossly insufficient to meet the needs of the development we have witnessed in the last half century or so. And it is here that we have to forcefully acknowledge the contribution of the migrants, without whom we would not have been able to see the progress and the services we are now beneficiaries of. Having said that, one cannot also brush off the fact that Goa too immensely contributed to the wealth and welfare of the migrants who live or lived here, some of who would perhaps never dream of achieving such high rate of success in their lives, in their own States.
Developed and developing countries welcome immigration due to scarcity of labour within their own populace. But they are not oblivious that uncontrolled, limitless or permanent immigration could result in social and political problems, which are being already witnessed at some places. Some countries have learnt from experience and some are trying to take preventive steps now, in a few cases a bit too late. Unemployment among locals has been the major cause of discontent and resentment against immigrants. Laws in these countries are strictly enforced so that the rights of both immigrants and locals, which are clearly defined, are protected – unlike India, where laws exist only in paper and our rulers implement them whenever it suits them and where the vote bank, money and muscle power play a great role.
Such controls cannot be exercised within the country. But, then Goa had a chance to do it, as it happens in Kashmir, where BJP is trying hard to do away with but will not succeed, except at high costs. Kashmiris cannot be easily bullied, as Goans have been.
What is worrisome in Goa is that influx has assumed unimaginable proportions and Goans are turning, if not already turned, into a minority in their own State, seriously affecting the demographics. This could result in social, political and economic problems in future, which need to be avoided at all costs. Parrikar’s remarks, several years back, that Goa is saturated and that he would ensure registration of migrant work force, have been empty rhetoric. Absence of jobs and exodus of frustrated and disillusioned Goans have aggravated the problem. Today, while registration of tenants by landlords is compulsory, people staying in slums and shanties go without it though they are often the cause of law and order, sanitation, health and hygiene problems. These are some of the reasons why locals resent migrants.
True that Goans too have emigrated to various countries of the world and as such, many contend, they have no reason to complain about immigration into Goa. However, Goans in general, wherever they are, abide by the law and assimilate and respect local customs and traditions. They do not grab or illegally occupy land and spaces, as it happens here.
However, we, Goans need to accept that the immigrant in Goa is our own product and immigration partly our own creation. Our lethargy, easy way of life, aversion to menial labour, false pride, etc, have resulted in heavy influx of outsiders. We have allowed our traditional trades to slip out of our hands, because we are contented with enough to survive, without making any effort at making a little more and improving our living standards. We have lost our trades, occupations or properties due to such attitudes, with laws never coming to our rescue.
Realisation of our blunders has come to us rather late. The youth, better late than never, are becoming increasingly conscious of problems confronting them. Many of them need to be commended and are worthy of emulation. Some have taken up agriculture, growing paddy, etc in many villages like St Estevam and many remunerative projects and cultivation in farms. Hats off to them, as they have taken this up as a challenge, instead of looking for better pastures abroad. Let us motivate the youth in these and other endeavours and new ventures, instead of resenting and being antagonistic to migrants, many of who come here to earn their living, as some of us do when going abroad.
The way this Government is moving in matter of jobs for locals, it does not inspire any hope. On the contrary, it appears that the preference will continue for outsiders as they constitute the vote bank. Let us continue to fight for our rights and put brakes to projects which are not meant to benefit Goans.
(The author is a retired banker)
