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Progress because of Diversity I read with interest the lamentation of one of the leader of the Konkan-Marathi Sahitya Sammelan on the dreadful effects of the English language on Goan society. He thought these effects were worse than British colonization. With all due respects to him, change is also called Evolution, which leads to Progress. However, he does have a point that society's inevitable progress can be deleterious if the transformation and advancement is not monitored and nurtured. I agree with the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar that Goa is a peculiar place where regulation of the state language is written in a foreign tongue. However that is the legacy and the beauty of India and Goa. That is called history and heritage. If there was no colonization (and I am definitely not supporting colonization), India would for better or worse be like Afghanistan, Nepal or Bhutan- all non-colonized neighboring countries in Asia. India and Goa are not exceptions! Many societies have separate but equal or blended communities and have found progress in a melting pot. Look at Switzerland (3 different languages), New Zealand (2 major cultural groups), Canada, Australia, Britain and USA with significant multi-cultural populations. Among the seven astronauts tragically killed last week on the same space shuttle were two females, one black, one born in India, and one Israeli. Odds are the three white American males were also from different ethnic backgrounds. India and Goa need leadership, where community intellectuals (not politicians) find common ground and work on a direction to benefit and promote all segments of society. The recent language controversy is not finding common ground. Goan and Indian intellectuals need to find ways to grow their cultures rather than accentuate and sharpen it with fear, threats and intimidation - a la Yugoslavia or Sri Lanka. History and study of civilizations teach us that progress is achieved through an interaction of culture, science, language and peoples (including gene pools) rather than by isolation and separation. For example, Goa's main industry (tourism) can benefit even more from promoting its different attractions including cultures, religions and languages, if packaged right! Through this and other examples, Goa could increasingly benefit from its diversity instead of distressing over it. This benefit in itself will be a social and economic incentive for each group to nurture its culture, religion and language and for all to help each other achieve success. Any reason to have a "mela", benefits people in the hotel, restaurant, transportation, entertainment, retail and agricultural industries to name a few. This then has a ripple effect through out the Goan economy which once again benefits all irrespective of religion and culture. One place where all groups could come, work and celebrate together is Goa World Day! Regards, GL
