Traditionally all communities
in Goa live in perfect harmony and there
has been no case of discord for centuries
now. It may be brought to light that
even during the Portuguese rule in Goa,
all our communities were tolerant and
respectful of each others’ religious belief
and practices. Due to the influence of the
Portuguese many western customs and
practices have become a part of the way of
life of Goans.
The traditionalism of the east and the
modernization of the west intermingled
and formed a part of Goan culture in many
ways such as social, cultural, linguistic,
sartorial and ethnically. Goans have to
continue to live and respect one another
and do not get provoked into disturbing the
traditional harmony that is the hallmark of
this state. Goans who go abroad have got
preferential treatment merely because they
hail from Goa and Goans are known for
honesty, sincerity and integrity.
Goans should not get carried away
by those who are trying to communalize
and breed divisiveness and create a rift
amongst us. Extremist and cultist figures
who are trying to spoil the tolerant nature
of Goans should be shrugged off without
giving them too much importance. It would
be counterproductive if Goans divide
on the basis of religion and thus subject
themselves to being indoctrinated in a
manner that will hurt the very social and
cultural fabric of Goa.
We form a unique blend of what is
universal in our way of behavior and the
our dress code which is multifaceted. Even
when we imbibe spirits, we are in control
and moderate. We do not want anyone
to come for the purpose of dividing us
to impose fundamentalist and radicalist
influences upon us. We should coolly,
without much ado discard those whose
intention it is to foment discord and
assiduously carry on our lives as we have
been conducting it without giving much a
damn specially to those who are trying to
divide us on communal lines.
