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There were many Goans who fought against Portuguese colonial rule in Goa. Unlike some of their compatriots, they did this out a sense of patriotic duty, without expecting any special privileges or benefits as "freedom-fighters". Whilst hating Portuguese rule, their hatred did not extend to the Portuguese people,their language or their culture. In fact, many of them utilised their knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture to promote the cause of Goa's freedom in the land of their rulers as many other Indian patriots did with the English language and culture. When organisations promoted by former colonial rulers such as the British Council and Aliance Francaise are welcome to promote their language and culture throughout India (including Goa) why should one object to organisations such as the Fundacao Oriente or others doing the same? Moreover,do not Indian cultural organisations and diplomatic missions promote our history and culture abroad? It is rather pathetic for the organisers of the campaign against the Fontainhas Festival to use strong-arm methods of protest claiming it is promoting Portuguese culture forty-four years after liberation, whilst thousands of Goans are queing up outside the Portuguese Consulate seeking Portuguese citizenship. It would be far better and more useful if they utilised their energies and resources to promote employment opportunities for these people in our State to obviate the need for them to emigrate to the land of their former oppressors! Benaulim, Goa: 26th.Nov.2005 --- Tony Correia-Afonso. ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using NWebmail, BSNL's Webmail Program