Re: [Goanet] Of Goans, non Goans and Ghantis

[Flower2]

Frederick,

Yes, in migration is as old as the hills in Goa, but I think everyone will 
agree, that in the past, Goans have assimilated migrants quite graciously. I 
think we have to understand why Goans have suddenly taken to "chauvinism" as 
you put it. Could it be that the migrants are now descending in overwhelming 
numbers? Perhaps there is no question of assimilation now, because Goans are 
being drowned by the waves. You may have a point as you said at the 
Goenkaranchem Daiz meeting that Goans are not competitive enough, but here 
in Margao, I have seen the cartels that the out of state migrants have 
quickly formed with regard to other traditional trades. They have 
marginalised outmanoeuvred the naive Goans and taken over. As I see it, the 
Goan is a gentler breed than that hailing from other parts of the country - 
all that is fast changing now that the natural Goan graciousness has been 
exploited to the hilt by migrants  ( and here I do not refer only to the 
poorer classes) of course in cahoots with our politicians.

Where is the question of ensuring that migrants have a stake in the land? 
Today, they are well on the way to being the major stakeholders, while the 
Goans become homeless wanderers. If they have come to make a livelihood, I 
don't think anyone has a problem. But when as in Sancoale, the population of 
outsiders is 9000 vis a vis some 4000 odd of the Goans, then the balance of 
power tilts and control and the decision making process falls into outside 
hands. Little wonder then that Deve Gowda sees great political potential for 
himself in Goa.

then we also have the land grabbing developers from up country, building on 
unbelievable scale, breaking all environmental laws with money and impunity 
and cornering all property, changing the market conditions so our future 
generations will have no chance to own a corner of Goa that they can call 
their own. We have coastal hotels owned by outside parties who block 
traditional access to the beach, and generally make life tough for the 
locals. If we have accepted the constitution and have an obligation to live 
by it, then, there is also an obligation on the part of the authorities to 
ensure that the law is implemented impartially, objectively and equitably. 
The state of lawlessness that presently prevails, for me at least, signifies 
the end of hope. We have poor migrants who add to the vote banks and rich 
migrants who add to the money banks.

Intellectuals can debate till the cows come home. In theory all the points 
made have 100% validity. But the theory unfortunately in this case at least, 
is totally divorced from the ground reality. Life is about human beings and 
their feelings. Whoever's fault it may be, the fact is that when a community 
feels powerless, marginalised and threatened, "chauvinism" is a natural 
reaction. Its happening all over the world - in Britain, where they hate the 
Polish, in Netherlands its about the Muslims. We have no alternative but to 
accept globalisation and softening of borders. So also, perhaps we need to 
mentally accept "chauvinism" as a natural consequence of this new world 
order.

Diana