In response to: Message: 9 Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:04:10 +0530 From: Frederick [FN] Noronha * ???????? ???????? <fredericknoro...@gmail.com <http://f5mail.rediff.com/prism/writemail?&mode=mail_to_individual&email=frederi cknoro...@gmail.com&els=9f5ea88d6dc59972bc746e8b2a84b40a> > Subject: Re: [Goanet] Difference: Gulf Non Resident Goans vs. & Goa?s Migrants
While going through Jug Suraiya's article in TOI, I came across a very confusing reality where in JS says "Reality is what we take to be true. What we take to be true is what we believe. What we believe is based upon our percepts. What we perceive depends on what we look for. What we look for depends on what we perceive. What we perceive determines what we believe. What we believe determines what we take to be true. What we take to be true is our reality" confusing but how very true, sometimes reality to us can be what we perceive. Long time ago when hunting was both a passion and hobby for me, I use to go hunting and very often, come across rabbits, which were in plenty during those days, rabbits that came into the glare of the headlight for the first time would stand on their hind legs and cover their eyes with their long ears, probably to shade their eyes from the glare of the light or perhaps even thinking that since they could not see anything from behind those long ears, others too could not see them either, which was indeed a folly, which made them sitting ducks and a meal on the table. Reading FN response to Arwin's post on the above subject, I was both shocked and surprised, is Arwin seeing reality in what he perceives ? Or is FN trying to shield his eyes from the glare of the migrant issue ? From FN's response, it's obvious, FN thinks Arwin is suffering from what might be termed as "migranto-phobia", he has not said thus in open the context but implied so, when a person of the caliber and intellect of FN tries to brush aside the claims of Arwin, one will most certainly give the benefit of the doubt to FN, and so would I, if I had not seen the ground realities in Goa. I am sure Arwin's "migranto-phobia" is not a perceived reality but a matter of fact reality, which we Goans just cannot afford to ignore. With all due respect to the way of thinking of FN, influx of migrants is a very serious issue if not tackled now could lead to disaster in the near future. We all agree that we are all Indians, we are all human beings and that there should be mutual respect for each other. The Indian Constitution gives special status to certain states or regions and why is that ? I am sure we all know the answer to that, it's to safeguard the interest, Identity, culture and the heritage of the locals of that area which is threatened by overwhelming demographic changes. Is Goa's Identity threatened ? Those people who think Arwin is suffering from "migranto-phobia" please take a look around Vasco, Zuari Nagar, Verna, Monti Dongor, Kharebandh, Mungul, San Jose Ariel, Mandop, Chinchinim, Sanguem, Sanvordem, Curtorim these are just a few places in South Goa where the migrant population is booming and blooming, the classic scenario is witnessed in the heart of Margao in the morning, which one can experience if you drive very slowly by the side of the road behind Margao Municipal building where hoards of migrant labourers, engulf you like an island in the sea. I have not been to North Goa of late but I am sure it's the same story all around and FN thinks 40% of Goa's present population claimed by Arwin to be migrant population is highly exaggerated, may be it is right may be it is wrong but the bottom line is migrant population is most certainly heading towards a demographic change and that's the truth. Mario in his response clearly states that one cannot compare countries like the USA or European countries, to a state like Goa but the problem is FN tried to relate the migrant issue of Goa to the migrants of Goans to other countries. It is agreed that there are a lot of Goans world wide where they work and have settled bought their own places that's because they are longer Indian citizens but citizens of their adopted countries. Can FN care tell us, where on earth the Goan population can change the outcome of an election ? FN also talks about Goan migrants at Byculla or Dhobi Talao, would FN care to explain in which decade most of these migrations took place ? Bombay was the closest out let to the world outside Goa, most of the Goan sailors had to go to Bombay to join the ships, to do their medical or travel abroad and look for a decent job which was mostly in the later part of last century and the early part of this century, may I also remind FN that during those day the situation in Bombay was not as serious as it is today in Goa. Those people who managed to find jobs then mostly settled in Bombay and the seamen set up clubs so that it was easier for them while joining and leaving ships. Today if you go to the different clubs how many people do you find there, as for our club it's mostly under lock as the medical of sailors is now done in Goa. Taking into consideration the habitable land area of Goa, we just cannot afford to have uncontrolled influx of migrants, the government has to take measures that our overburdened recourses are not stretched even further where we can have a breakdown in the supply of basic amenities, and those migrants who have already settled have to be provided humane living conditions to live in. That is all we ask of our Government to do with regards to the migrant policy and it will only be possible through Special Status for Goa. Lets all try to live by the present situation rather than think of our links of the past, let us live by the reality of today rather than by our perceived reality and live by the facts of today rather than shield our eyes from the anomaly that's starring us in the face. Freddy Agnelo Fernandes -------------------------------------------------------- The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or otherwise placing reliance on the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful in certain legal jurisdictions. If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. -------------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. 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