On Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 12:47 AM Nelson Lopes <lopesnelson...@gmail.com> wrote:
> What constitutes Goan identity > A flash back of 450 years of repressive rule of Portuguese did not bend > the will of the people for unity.That is the identity that is the idea of > Goa.Fear and brutality, inquisition, did not deter people against common > goal for freedom.Religion did neither divide or unite Goans.They stood as > one block. It was neither preservation of culture, traditions or customs > which were not the forces of unity.Languages were not the focus of Goan > identity.Communal harmony was the hall mark.Kon as a language was degraded > as lingua of cooks and butlers and attending Teatro was considered as > demeaning the status of attendees.Land again was not considered precious > to confine boundaries.It is now sold by land sharks for self > enrichment.The communal harmony ,social cultural life that , western > influence had that is an attraction to outsiders..Goans never bothered to > selectively preserve cultural identity as to merger with motherland and > for economic aspects.None wanted to enforce any specific identity > associated with majority and minority nor religious denominations > The common civil code which is praised by India is another valuable factor > that constitutes idea of Goa.The opinion poll was the first wedge to bring > into focus religious differences, but unitedly and side by side Goans > worked to preserve its unique identity English was prevalent but > Portuguese flourished as language of elite and for jobs and higher > education in Goa.Mararhi was widely used as spoken language and still > today Marathi circulation outstrips all other languages. THE demand for > statehood revived the language wars as state in India were formed on > linguistic basis.Naturally Kon was the language that could give exclusive > identity.Emotional tensions, protests , violence brewed between Kon and > Marathi and exploited by politicians to vertically divide an United Goan > populations. Finally two languages diluted the identity states being > formed on language parameters.The division between Roman Devanagri script > for konkani added fuel to fire.Govt to keep controversy alive funded > largely the Marathi lobby with spread of Marathi schools and keeping close > contact with Maharashtra even after opinion poll settled the issue. > What is the idea of Goa can be best visualized by Goans settled abroad > when they unite and celebrate as Goans and not as Hindus and catholics or > promote culture of any single community .Goans till now never identified on > the basis of religion culture etc but coexistence as as a community.The > politicians have further increased the wedge on religion as now we see > North and South divided on religion > TOP functionaries of BJP do not show their presence in the South by any > special visits > Inter religious marriages and discussions try to mend the gulf of > religious divide Accentuated by politics of survival > Kon could be a uniting force but those who profess their support of Kon > educate their children in English mediums and even knowledge of Kon > relaxed for employment purposes.Unity alone, economic progress facilities > for education, employment opportunities, remained idea of Goa > Special status to put restrictions on limited source of land is a > regressive demand today. In many countries the native population is in > minority, but that has not dismissed the idea of national > identity.Migration emigration is purely fir economic reasons and not > create identity between identity > Goa of the day is home and residential settlement for all Indians and > hence will be home to many cultures and traditions.One cannot expect that > Govt give thrust to promote preserve any specific culture ot > tradtions.Accept, be tolerant to each other and superiority of any cultural > practice cannot be focussed to represent Goan idea > Promotion of way of life without conflicts or competitions ,will unify > all to live in peace and harmony..It is proud privilege that Goa had no > religious riots and politicians have not been able to engineer one.Avoid > hatred indifference or emphasize superiority of any particular > culture.Carnival as traditions is a big draw and Goa is entertaining > capital of India.Tourism promotes Goa, so also cuisine, hospitality that > makes a Goan idea > Idea of Goa is live and let live, accepting and respecting all cultures > and traditions > Customs like dashra Sigmo and those of Rajasthan ,Kerela Guerat Bihar > etc are enhancing idea of new Goa .Festivals, celebrations do not make > idea of Goa > When we assimilate other cultures, as Goa has over the centuries western > lifestyles that become our own integral part > The climate, natural beauty of environment contributes to idea of GoaLet > us not appropriate it on religion language, cusine or another factor but > as unity in diversify > Nelson Lopes Chinchinim >