When this BJP government assumed office on 9th March 2012 the then Chief
Minister Manohar Parrikar had rightly pointed out that Goa’s exploding
population needs to be frozen. But this government has done nothing towards
achieving this end, except the empty talk on Special status for Goa. Infact
the government has been drafting in more ‘migrants’ and even posting them
in high positions despite there being no dearth of qualified Goans
available. The role of the Goa NRI Commission should have been to act as a
catalyst in drawing avenues and opportunities to encourage Goans currently
out of Goa to return back and preserve their soil.
Historically, Goan emigration patterns have unique characteristics which
differ from the rest of India. The Inquisition and religious persecution
were evident in the sixteenth century. Later, the Portuguese and the
Jesuits introduced excellent schools with Portuguese and English as the
medium of instruction. However, there were no opportunities available in
Goa for the products of the system which were snapped up elsewhere. This
trend is evident even in the present day.
Mumbai (Bombay) and service on ocean liners were the targets for emigration at
the turn of the 19th century. This changed to East Africa, and when the
doors closed there, the Gulf States beckoned. In recent years it has been
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States.
Though the Catholics have always been a minority within Goa, they have been
the majority in terms of emigrants. The reasons for this are complex but
their names, religion, diet, attire etc. led them to be easily identified.
The Goans abroad developed a pride in their identity, which passed from one
generation to the next and also manifested in an urge to preserve the
culture and assist their kith and kin back in Goa.
The motives were not always altruistic. The Non Resident Goan was known to
flash his wealth in a most obscene manner in order to attract attention and
in the hope of obtaining recognition. Church roof repairs, school
extensions, Community halls etc. were the favoured targets of charity as
one could then negotiate the mounting of a plaque to record the generosity
for the world to see.
There remains a disturbing perception of the ideal Goa as seen by the
average Non Resident who would have liked it to remain unchanged, and as a
source for cheap idyllic holidays. The Non resident Goans and more
importantly, the youth want to see changes with employment opportunities.
They would prefer to make their home in Goa.
Fortunately, in recent years, there have been changes in how overseas
Goans perceive Goa. This has largely come about because of computer
communications and also because of the greater tolerance and even
encouragement of ethnic cultures abroad. There are a number of electronic
mailing lists for Goans – international ones, regional, village, alumni,
etc. and they focus on issues and projects for the support of Goans in Goa
and those abroad. Communication between Goans even in the same neighborhood
abroad, which was once impossible, is now available to all.
Goans abroad have invested in Goa whether it is money deposited in Goan
banks, holiday homes or in business ventures. However, the overseas Goans
are not always totally satisfied with what they see in Goa. They are
repelled by the culture of corruption that has become a part of the new
Goan society and just cannot relate to the acceptance of these standards.
The bureaucratic processes endemic in Indian methodology puts off many Non
Residents from investing locally. Over the years International Goan
Conventions have been held to deliberate on issues concerning Goa and
related to Non Residents. There had been a unanimous demand for the
Government of Goa to set up an NRI (Non Resident Indian) Centre as a focal
point to redress problems of NRIs and to see what role they could play in
the progress and development of Goa. In response to this demand the
Government of Goa set up a “NRI Commission”. We have yet to see anything
concrete achieved by this outfit, which started in February 2006 with
ambitious plans.
Many NRIs after years of service abroad long to settle in the land of their
origin. But for many reasons they get disheartened and give up. For someone
who has never witnessed water supply shortages or power failures it is a
nightmare coping with the erratic water and power supply which has been a
matter of routine in this State of Goa. NRIs also feel that the prospects
of a good education in Goa for their children is bleak and this is
something the Government should focus on. Good hospitals and quality
professional educational institutions are something Goa so dearly needs.
Overall, if Goa’s infrastructure is improved this will motivate many NRIs
to come back and set up shop in the place that is so dear to them. But
politicians have their fingers in every pie, and nothing runs
professionally or free from political interference.
In recent years a lot of Goan
