Kudos to Selma Carvalho who undertook this mammoth task and for the support
rendered to her by Eddie Fernandes of the Goan Voice. I am waiting for the
exhibit to come to Goa some day. These were stories that were lying dormant in
peoples minds, and as they age and pass away, the stories would be lost
forever. Our forebears braved difficult voyages,
and inhospitable conditions to make a living. They are an inspiration to us
all.
.
I am sure there are a lot of similar stories to be told by Goan pioneers to the
Arabian Gulf and Iran, and stories focusing on each of the East African
countries viz. Kenya, Uganda,
Tanganyika and Zanzibar. While there was a common experience of living in the
British
colonies and "protectorates", each country presented unique experiences. Burma
at one time was the magnet for Goan migration. The advancing Japanese invasion
during World
War II caused an exodus of Goans, sometimes overland by foot over difficult
mountainous and forested terrain. I don't know if anyone has documented those
experiences.
Once again, my heartiest congratulations to Selma and Eddie for a great job !
