----- Original Message ---- > From: Mario Goveia <mgov...@sbcglobal.net> > To: goanet@lists.goanet.org > Sent: Sat, 16 January, 2010 2:55:27 AM > Subject: [Goanet] From one RG to another an open letter > > Tony D'Sa wrote: > > > That may be. But you black skinned American/ Britisher/ Australian/ > > Canadian just try buying property in a WASP only locality. Racial > > prejudice may not be overt but it is still there. You are still > > a 'second class' citizen no matter how you console yourself.
I have bought and sold property in London, Gold Coast and Melbourne. So have other Goans, Malyasians, Chinese and Vietnamese and other non-white people, resident or non-resident, citizens or non-citizens. There are no WASP-only localities - the first time I have heard it mentioned, was by you. Please note a) the colour of my skin made no difference b) my nationality made no difference c) my surname made no difference to the outcome. I was asked neither for my nationality papers nor about my origins when I bought properties. I met with the conveyancing lawyers only for signing the documents, otherwise everything else was done over the 'phone, no running around in circles chasing people. If you have the means to pay for your purchase, via a bank-loan or otherwise, no-one stops you, be it in London, be it in Melbourne. I am intrigued as to how you came about this conclusion of exclusivity. Only India (in my experience) seems to have this phobia about non-nationals buying up properties in India. We are in no way second-class citizens. Avenues are open in all places, including the chance to be the Prime Minister or even the Governor-General. The current Governor for Victoria is Sri-Lankan born - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_de_Kretser . The previous Mayor for the City of Melbourne (twice -running) was Chinese-born John So - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_So - you may have heard the loud cheering for the man at the 2006 Commonwealth Games everytime John So's name was mentioned. So the prejudice, dear Tony, is in your mind. Samir Kelekar > > For me, even more than the above, what is important --- what have you done as > a > citizen in your adopted country? Have you fought injustice? Or did you just > grab > the opportunities that those countries provided to you as a citizen? Fight what injustice? There are services one does for free, as volunteers - St Vincent de Paul Society is one in which a lot of people (Goans included) put in their time. In addition, donations to charities, time with the community, visiting the elderly etc. are some of the activities we perform in our society, as our parents did in Goa. I hope this satisfies the criteria "what have you done as a citizen in your adopted country". PS In relation to justice, please see http://www.theage.com.au/national/ken-lay-top-traffic-cop-caught-speeding-20100114-maan.html?autostart=1 and http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/deputy-commissioner-ken-lay-caught-speeding-through-country-town/story-e6frf7jo-1225819442669 __________________________________________________________________________________ See what's on at the movies in your area. Find out now: http://au.movies.yahoo.com/session-times/
