Goan Racism in perspective

There is currently a lot of talk about the tolerance of Goans, as Goans are in increasing numbers, starting to speak against the fast deterioration of Goan Culture & Identity; mainly with the rapid influx of Non-Goans/Migrants and hence the fast changing demographics. While I full appreciate that Tolerance is the need of the hour to make the world a better place, I want to put tolerance into a correct perspective for Goa. Nobody, today can dispute the enormous tolerance & hospitality exhibited by Goans in Goa, simply with the fact that minimum 40% of the population of Goa are Non-Goan; I would like for the critics to compare this, with the demographics of other states in India; who will keep silent, so long as they don’t face the same crisis!! We, Goans should continue to be Tolerant, Respectful & Hospitable to all other people, but this does not mean it is wrong for us Goans to put in safeguards now, to reverse the erosion of Goan Identity & protect Goan interests. In the UAE, where I temporarily reside for example, the vast majority is non-nationals and many are allowed to even buy land restrictively, but this country in its wisdom has put in fair safeguards to ensure that the UAE will always remain with its own people. Yes we are Indians, but India is made up of some many cultures & identities; each of which has a RIGHT to be preserved/protected. Even Europe Governments today realize that there is logic in some migrant control vs. their protecting their local genuine interests, identity, culture, languages, living standards, security etc and are now converting Europe into a sort of fortress; with increasingly tighter immigration policies and those being accepted, are made to undergo a compulsory induction for integrating into the local population. For those calling Goans RACISTS, yes I appreciate that we certainly have to treat others with a decent/civilized approach, but at the same time we should not use the RACISM tag to unfairly subdue Goa’s genuine interests!! Arwin Mesquita (UAE)