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)
Monday 27 April 2009
Saturday 18 April 2009
Vote for Mathany Saldanha
For instance, on the contestants for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat; I appreciate what critics say, but I still think that Mathany Saldanha is far better than the rest i.e.
(1) Historically he is the only one who was the most vocal of the candidates, against various anti-goan initiatives e.g. SEZ’s
(2) His party manifesto is the most detailed & comprehensive vs. all others, on not only the need, but also on the ways to protect/preserve Goa & its identity
(3) We have given so many chances to the others e.g. Congress and they have clearly let Goans down; so let us now change and give a chance to someone new!!
(4) Other politicians falsely malign Mathany, by linking him to the so called communal elements; those very politicians tasted power by aligning themselves, with very elements that they now call “communal”.
(5) Worst Case, even if Mathany is elected and does nothing; by just electing him we can send a strong message to the national parties that Goans cannot be taken for granted and it’s high time they start putting in measures to protect Goa, its identity and stop the destruction of our beautiful land.
Goans please act before it is too late!!
Arwin Mesquita (UAE)
Friday 3 April 2009
Reservation for Goans
Dear All,
Please see letter in Herald Newspaper i.e. http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=19582&cid=13 (re-pasted below)
Reservations for GoansArwin Mesquita, Abu Dhabi Following the letter titled ‘No Reservation for Goans’ by Robert Castellino (Herald, 31 Mar), being a Non-Resident Goan myself, I would like to put the job reservation issue for Goans in perspective. All communities have limits up to which migrants can be welcomed. Goa has crossed this limit with minimum 40 per cent of Goa’s population being migrants. In fact, I would argue that Goans are more tolerant than most other communities. Will the other communities/Indian states tolerate such rapid change in demographics and deterioration of their local identities? I do not think so!Gulf countries are increasingly putting in place policies for job reservations for their locals – for example, Kuwaitisation, Emiratisation, etc. Also, Gulf Goans are temporary migrants (not permanent).The US, Canada, Europe, Australia and other countries are increasingly putting in place more stringent measures on immigration, to ensure that increased immigration does not seriously affect their local identities. This in effect means that jobs in these countries are reserved for their citizens.Also, countries that accept Goan emigrants (among others) have policies to localise all immigrants so as to preserve their identities and languages, whereas Goa is a free-for-all with increasingly many languages growing and prospering, except Konkani.Many employers in Goa are deliberately employing non-Goans for various reasons that suit their convenience – lower salaries, favouring their non-Goan friends/families, etc – even when there are suitable Goans available for the same.I think we should look at reservation in a civilised manner. Jobs that than can be done by Goans should be reserved for Goans; the rest of the “essential jobs” can be offered to outsiders. Nevertheless, the entire policy should be reviewed to ensure jobs are created based on requirement from Goans only. Yes, I appreciate that there will need to be essential jobs that will have to be manned by non-Goans but these jobs should be encouraged, only if absolutely required for Goa.
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