PANJIM: In a bid to obtain dual citizenship for the Goan diaspora, plans are afoot to launch the ‘Global Goans Association’. Like-minded Goans across several continents including Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa, will be identified and brought together within the next two months, to appeal to the Government of India to grant them dual citizenship.
“Many Goans have already been contacted. I have already reached out to Goans in the UK, Germany, France, Portugal, Italy, Australia, Singapore, Norway, all of the Middle East, and even to the African continent — Tanzania and Kenya,” Simon D’Silva, president of Goan Welfare Association told Herald.
“The main purpose of forming this association is a single point agenda — to make a demand for dual nationality for Goans, from the Government of India. Additional agendas will be drawn up later,” said D’Silva.
“A Global Goans Convention will be held in Qatar on May 12, 2023 to discuss future plans,” he added.
When asked why he was fighting for dual citizenship, D’Silva said, “It was the need of the hour, since most Goans don’t feel a sense of belonging in other countries, and wish to retire to their native villages in Goa.”
“Goans get Portuguese passports to migrate to the UK for work. But most of them only know about life in Goa. They don’t feel like they belong to any other country, but are there for economic reasons alone,” he said.
“We do not have any rights in India; we cannot vote, or buy agricultural land. We don’t even have the right to say that we are Indians,” D’Silva rued.
“OCI card holders cannot hold government jobs either. Tomorrow, if something happens in the UK, where will Goans go? They are Niz Goenkars. “If you go to the UK and look down from your apartment, you will see Goans speaking Konkani. They don’t speak English. Why should we lose these Goans?” D’Silva asked.
“Goans have gone abroad purely for economic reasons. They took Portuguese passports since they had no other choice. They want to get a good job, to build a better standard of living for their families,” said D’Silva.
“Someday, they want to come back to Goa and settle down. How can you ban these Goans? What will their future hold?” asks D’Silva.
“I’m in touch with the governments of Goa and India, and things are looking positive,” concluded D’Silva, who is optimistic that his dream of NRI Goans getting dual citizenship will fructify.
