On the above subject, being discussed for some days now, I would like to
give the folloing inputs.
1. Regarding the last post by Mr. Carmo dCruz, Dr. Colaço has already
answered in the line of my thoughts. In that post Mr. D'Cruz writes:
"excuses about favoritism, unfounded fears of the saffronization of Goa,
divisive Devnagiri vs Roman script debates, etc will only divert and hamper
the excellence of Goan youth despite our minority status"
May I propose an alternative view? It may be precisely these issues who can
bring the Goan youth together once again. I agree that we have to work also
on other non-political issues, offering more opportunities on a global scale
to young Goans, in a variety of fiels. But we cannot shy away from political
issues. That would be to hide and run away. That is what Goa needs least.
2. Mr. Carmo also says that
"its about time that Goan youth realize that they are Indians and not
Portuguese-Indians". As far as I know and regarding my experience among Goan
youth of different strata and backgrounds, I have never heard one only
youngster define hmself or someone else as a "Portuguese-Indian". The
dichotomy Portugal-India is useless. We should instead focus on
strenghtening what brings us together as "Goans". In a paper I presented in
the Portuguese Naval Academy (Lisbon, July 2003) I argue that the problem of
Goa's identity has been precisely to have never been able to build up
consciously its own identity, be it in the colonial or post-colonial era.
The title of the paper pointed out in that direction: "Contemporary Goa:
inbetween the Portuguese legacy and the Indian context".
3. Mr. Oscar Noronha complained to Mr. Lawrence about the lack of engagement
regarding a more organized and institutionalized set-up for the large and
informally active sections of Goan Diaspora who want to do more for Goa. I
agree with him. Too may times there is a repetitive debate on things which
have already been proposed but no one took care of executing. I remember his
"project on the mentoring of a goan network" and I quote a small part from
it, to show how his project could have been (and still is) an excellent
idea:
"We need people for setting up the system, for operationalizing the idea,
and building the systems and processes which would make the idea work and
information, decisions to flow, and provide a support to operations. We need
people for running the system on a day-by-day basis. We need people to
contribute financially to the project. What is the necessary technology
infrastructure? ..."
It may sound vague and technical. But that is precisely what our Diaspora
has been lacking. To put good ideas - soo many! - into a good
structure/network. I like to forward Goa Sudharop NGO as one of the few
examples where this has been successfully done. Can we have more? It would
be nice if Mr. Oscar could circulate his project again.
4. Mr. Lawrence also writes in one of his posts that "the Goan youth need
some mentors and role-models". I can only agree partially, regarding
mentors, and only in a strictly financial matter, not so much ideological.
Regarding role-models, I do not agree so much. It is up to the Goan youth to
PRODUCE role-models and not look up to existing models. We should encourage
the youth to attain new and higher objectives, not by strictly forwarding an
aged idol, but by giving them instruments and incentives to work out their
own way. Here is where the mentors come in, and where I agree with Mr.
Lawrence. I would like to suggest also a look at the "Young Goans
International Essay Contest" we are organizing this year, as one possible
way to "encourage" Goan youth. Please see:
http://goanet.org/post.php?name=News&list=goanet&info=2005-August/date&post_id=032473
All the best,
Constantino Xavier
(Lisbon/New Delhi)
