Karachi Goans & Goans everywhere
By Edgar Martins
I applaud this opportunity to express ourselves through cyberspace where
we can come together. My mother was born in Karachi where my grandfather
owned a music shop. My uncle was considered the best pianist in
Pakistan, the result of Goan parochial schools. In Africa he was
respected by the colonials.
In my youth, living in Goa, Bombay, Kampala, Entebbe, Nairobi and
Mombasa (having been born at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro) I often heard
snide remarks about Goans who had an ego and were brought up with a chip
on their shoulder. Even the thought of speaking Konkani was frowned
upon. I heard of Goans referred to (by Goans) as Goaks, 'kitem re',
Paovallas and in East Africa by the Gujeratis as 'Machli khounde' (fish
eaters). Today I am proud to be a Goan with a distinct identity
different from the rest of India and the world. I make it a point to
impress on people I meet that they should avoid stereotyping me. I want
to separate myself from those referred to by Peter Sellers in his 'Oh
Doctor, any trouble'.
My barber refers to me as going (for Goan) - always on the move.
Recently I passed a few days in NJ and attended their picnic. A young
Goan I met had graduated from West Point and had spent time in Goa proud
of his heritage. He appeared disciplined and proud. In Goa, recently, I
met a Goan who had retired after twenty five years in the British Army
and having served in Iraq, Germany and N. Ireland. In N.J. I made it a
point to visit a 'buddy' who I refer to as Pundit. Dr. Miranda made it a
point to proudly play a tape recorded of the Gavana group (with his
college buddy called Eloy Gomes) when they played at a party after the
Convention at the Roy Thompson Hall. My guest was so surprised to listen
to such enjoyable music and wanted to know how he could get a copy of
the music.
Well I now know that I am also referred to as a Goon. People have a
misconception of us Goans (read Nirad Choudary's impression of us). It
is left to us to change this impression by our behaviour and conduct.
Respect for others and their opinions are important. In Africa I
remember seeing ads in papers "Goan Clerk wanted"' "Goan Accountant
needed". Today, outsiders who have come to Goa are displacing our Goan
bakers.
When we know where we came from, we will know where we are going. Our
youth are bright and resourceful but have no idea of our past. I have
met Goans asking me for literature and music of Goa as they themselves
are ignorant of our language, music and our history. If only they had
been proud to be Goans in their youth, they would not have come to this
situation.
In Goa, some mistakenly look at the statue of Abbe Faria and Francisco
Gomes and the bust of Dr. Borges as statues of some foreigners. Little
do they think that we Goans are capable of achieving higher goals.
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