As a non-Goan from Bangalore, now a retired professor living peaceably in Goa, the land of my choice, I applaud your front-page editorial dated March 15, 2015 entitled “Arise Goan bretheren, your land needs you”. Such an article is always greatly needed, and I was truly moved by some of your observations, but not all!
I have been visiting and holidaying in Goa for the past 12 years, and so I am almost a Goan, certainly an “honorary Goan”, and I have seen monumental changes take place in Goa, and Goans. If one is able to accept a non-Goan’s point of view, read on and you will be blessed if you change, otherwise, skip this piece.
There has always been a healthy section of Goans who are truly good, friendly, helpful, hard-working, entrepreneurial, loving, caring and sharing, and there will always be such people around in the coming years; yes, we certainly have our fair share of such friends here. But there is a growing number of people who, because of choice, circumstance or of being influenced by articles such as was printed on March 15, the beautiful Goan “spirit” is being eroded from this beautiful state.
What I mean is this: The Goan is constantly heard griping about the non-Goan as being the “monster” who has changed the attitude, psyche and fortunes of the Goan. This, of course, is absolutely untrue if one unbiasedly introspects onself. The loss of property, bungalows, business, lifestyle, culture, traditions etc. to outsiders was the prerogative of the Goan at that point in time, and he/she chose otherwise. I remember an interesting letter sent in by a Goan some months back which stated exactly what I am now stating, and he added that Goans who believe that certain tasks are below their station in life (and hence outsource them to non-Goans, particularly from Bihar and U.P.) have no qualms, whatsoever, doing those same tasks in foreign countries! This to me is unadulterated hypocrisy.
Goans have let demons into their state and souls over the years by tolerating, and actively supporting, evils such as alcohol, drugs, substance abuse, drug cartels, Nigerian, Israeli and Russian mafias, casinos, gambling, prostitution, brothels, massage parlours, pimps , nightclubs, gangs, mining etc. All because of “filthy lucre”, and now they divert people’s attention by blaming others.
Their men, women, and now, their girls and boys are being spoiled by the same people they welcomed with open arms. They should collectively rise up and drive these people out with the help of the police, and encourage new and clean business and enterprises into the state.
