Is opting for Portuguese nationality being anti-national?

The great rush by Goans to get a Portuguese passport is nothing new. This has been going on for several years with an increased momentum in the recent few years. While these Goans choose to take a Portuguese passport, almost every one of these Goans has ended up in the UK.

 These Goans are often demeaned and mocked and referred to as anti-nationals. More often referred to as supporters of Portugal. Some are called Portuguese descendants. Really? If these Goans were really Portuguese supporters, why did almost all of them end up in UK?

First let’s discuss the point related to the motivations which drive people to take the Portuguese passport. We can discuss the point related to being anti-nationals on another day.  In the last few days, I was lucky to meet with many such Goans who were down in Goa to celebrate the holidays with their families. This gave me a chance to explore and find out the key motivations for taking the decision to become Portuguese citizens.

Without doubt, the greatest motivation is the access to better economic status. Every person I spoke to was driven by this key driver; the ability to earn more and support the family back home. Note that I mentioned ‘every person’. There was not one person who did not mention that the key motivation in opting for Portuguese nationality was the access to better economic condition; better salary in GBP and ability to send money to Goa in order to support the rest of the family. Moving to UK and leaving behind old parents is a very painful decision for most. Often, even the immediate family like spouse and children are left behind. Many families get separated in the course of this quest to improve the financial situation. And that begs the question. Would these people opt for the Portuguese nationality and access to UK if comparable opportunities were made available in Goa? Almost every person I spoke to said they would not move if not for the lack of opportunities in Goa.

I know that this key reason as mentioned by these Goans will prompt a question. So are the rest of the Goans in Goa starving? Hell no. But everything is not absolute. Everything does not need to be measured on extremes. Relativity is important to understand. Many Goans who move, find it easier to find a decent paying job in UK and are able to save a reasonable amount for the future relative to those who live in Goa.

The other important motivation for people who chose to move is caste. We will discuss this in a future post.  

While you are here, you can check out this list of Goan houses. Click here.

Goan Houses 15

Location: Loutulim  (Figueredo Mansion)

Goan Houses 14

 Solar Andrade

Location: Fontainhas

#goafeelings

 

#goafeelings

 

Goan Houses 13

Margao City 1950

Margao City circa 1950

Old Chapel, Margao

Old chapel located in the Old Market area of Margao circa 1950

For one of the oldest pictures of Bom Basilica Church, Old Goa click here

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa

Basilica of Bom Jesus located in Old Goa circa 1859

Portuguese Goa

The entitlement mentality?

 The CM of Goa recently tweeted these pictures on the occasion of VanMahotsava in Goa where he planted a sapling as part of the day's celebration. A lot of people called out CM for watering the sapling while it is clear that is raining and hence the watering of the sapling seems trivial.

While many called out the CM for the watering of the sapling, what I found most disturbing is the picture of a senior police officer holding an umbrella for one of the dignitaries while he himself is getting drenched in the rain (see picture below)

Why do we find it ok that a police officer needs to hold an umbrella up for someone who looks like a govt officer. Bear in mind, it is not a picture of the officer trying to accommodate the govt official in his umbrella. He is in fact getting drenched in the rain. And this begs the question. Why do senior govt official feel entitled for such service from lower ranked govt employees?

Is it the cast system?   Is it the bhatkar-mundkar relationship? Or is it that we are all intrinsically evil and try to take advantage of another human being?   Even if holding up the umbrella is a part of the police officer's job description, I find that very nauseating?

What do you think?

Holy Spirit Church, Margao

The Church was originally built by the Jesuit missionaries in 1564 but was destroyed in 1571. It was later rebuilt in 1645 and the sprawling structure was completed in 1675. Its architecture is a fine example of the Indian baroque style. The outer facade consists of a pristine white facade and towers on either side with a central dome structure.

The impressive reredos (ornamental screen) is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, rising from ground level to the high ceiling, made more distinguished by the gilded and carved archway that stands in front of it.he window arches are in the shape of sea shells while a moulded peacock appears on the north transept wall. There are statues of St Anthony and of the Blessed Joseph Vaz, kept in glass cabinets in the north aisle near the north transept. In the square is a monumental cross. The church hosts 2900 catholic families.

Source: Click here

Goan Houses 12

Raia, Salcette, Goa

Goan Houses 11

Majorda

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church

The church Our Lady of Immaculate Conception located in Panjim is one of the iconic must see destinations on your visit to Goa. 

The baroque style church was built in 1541 as a chapel on the side of a hill. It was later converted into a church to accommodate the growing population of faithfuls. 

Today it stands tall as a major tourist attraction. Legend has it that many couples of all faiths secretly exchange their marriage vows outside the church as it is supposed to improve the success of their marriage. 

Goan Houses 10

Location: Fontainhas, Panjim

Pictures soruce: Twitter @iampriyanka09

Goan House 9

Location : Tovar Dias Mansion, Chinchinim

Goan House 8

Location: Verna 

Goan House 7

Location : Loutulim

Goan House 6

Bernado F Costa Road, Margao