AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
Goans living across different states in the United States are feeling the heat of the ongoing war between the US-Israel and Iran with every passing day, with no clear in dication about how long the conflict will last. Now in its 19th day, the war has begun to deeply affect Goans who had migrated in search of better opportuni ties but are now living with growing uncertainty and anxiety about the future. “Nobody could be seen in the supermarket on Friday. People have stopped spend ing because the future is so uncertain. What I used to buy for 20 dollars now costs 28, and prices are expected to go higher. Gasoline prices have soared in some states. The situation is bad,” said Lynette D’Cunha, originally from Colva and now living in Minnesota. For many Goans in the US, the fear extends beyond sky rocketing prices to concerns about potential sleeper-cell attacks.
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“Though Iran claims it will hit California, which we do not expect, the fear is of sleeper cells. An incident has al ready happened at a synagogue, and this is what makes us wary when we step out,” said Phillip Noronha from North Goa, who runs his own business in California. “When Trump won his first election, we were shocked and confused. But now that he has won a second time, it demonstrates a significant shift in people’s mindset. There is a fundamental change in thinking, and that is worrisome. There is a racial undertone,” added Noronha, admitting that his family is considering obtaining Portuguese passports. “Not just Goans, but many Indians settled in America are now thinking of moving to Europe, especially after Canada has started making immigration more difficult,” said T Desi kan, a senior journalist with CNN International in the US. “We went to Portugal twice and found it very pleasant. Life in Porto is affordable, and it is a nice city to live in. So, we too are thinking of retiring there,” confessed Desikan, who is settled in New York and whose wife has links to Goa. The war has left many Goans in America uncertain about the future. “No one knows how the economy is going to be affected, and that creates a sense of worry. It feels like we are going to pay a heavy price just after coming out of the pandemic,” said Angela Fernandes from Calangute, now re siding in New Orleans. Opinions among Goans in the US remain divided over the war and President Trump’s leadership. For many, life in America no longer feels the same, with some saying the country has lost its charm and no longer feels as welcoming. “We (the US) and Israel finished Tehran in the first two days. Once the war is over, the economy will boom, and I am sure I will be able to travel more often for holidays,” said Chiquin Pereira from Santo Estevam, now based in Chicago. The spread of misinformation has also become evident, with varying perceptions of the war among Goans across different states. “America is going to finish Iran, and what is happening there is good because women in Iran were treated without respect. They will now get their freedom,” said Ingrid, who lives in New Jersey. However, Clara Angela in Chicago expressed caution. “It is difficult to know what is actually happening because the news appears to be heavily censored. The free press seems to have been buried during this war,” she said.
