Since this debate started elsewhere in cyberspace, I think dragging it mid-way onto Goanet is unfair to those who have not been following the other side of the debate.
Whatever we may say, it is ironic that those who migrate the most from Goa (UAE, US, Bahamas, wherever) also tend to be the most critical migrants into Goa. One justification is that Goans are a small population, and don't swamp other, but get swamped themselves. It all depends on how we frame the issue. I guess if you ask the natives of Byculla or Dhobi Talao what *they* think of Goan migration, the answer would be different. To my mind, the 'we are being swamped' issue is a big red herring used to mask a number of other contradictions within Goan society, and problems we face today. Fact is, one Goan won't trust another -- based on caste, religion or whatever. So why scapegoat the migrant, more so when so many migrants from Goa have landed all over the globe? The emotionalism injected into the debate, by the use of words like "anti-Goan critics" is self-evident. Someone doesn't become "anti" Goan just because he has a differing perspective from yours. Gulf migrants might not have voting rights, but many Goan expats in many other parts of the globe do. They buy land there too. If the Goan migrants left due to lack of sufficient opportunities, so did those migrating from other regions into Goa; they don't come here for a picnic (except tourists!) Would you support a "fair and just migrant control policy" for Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi and the many other places that Goans migrant to, both within and out of India? If so, what happens to the idea of a federal nation, one which so many Goans have gained so much from? Are mega-projects and politicians with vote-banks unique to Goa? When a Rajan Parrikar supports an Obama in a US election, does he become a "vote bank" too? Anyone whose heart bleeds for Goa could do more than give sermons via cyberspace. Give up your fancy lifestyles, and high salaries, come here and work for change. I'm sure you would be as welcome as the in-migrants you so stridently deride! And btw, a friend (Goan) told of a DNA test he had done, which showed his ancestors migrated out of Africa, via Anatolia in Turkey, and thence into North India, to settle in Aldona! Another friend said his (Goan) brother's DNA tests showed his links with, hold your breath, Uzbekistan and South India! Haven't we (and our ancestors) overwhelmed others who were in Goa before we reached here, in turn? FN 2009/7/17 Arwin Mesquita <arwinmesqu...@gmail.com> > --- On Thu, 7/16/09, augusto pinto <pinto...@gmail.com> wrote to Arwin: > > > I find it amazing that a person who earns his living by > > being an outsider, bhaillo, migrant, ghanti of the Arabs where you > > live, is so vehement in your condemnation of Indian migrants to Goa. > > > > I suggest that you answer this question satisfactorily, > > dear migrant to the UAE, before you dare attack migrants to Goa. Arwin wrote: This is for the benefit of the Few Ignorant Anti-Goan Critics who have conveniently, not yet understood the difference between Gulf Non-Resident Goans and Goa’s migrants. See following facts on Gulf Non Resident Goans (NRG’s) & Goa’s Migrants: