Systematic Destruction of GOA - By Reuben from Goa

Oh yes we do have a right to protect our own cultural heritage by putting a cap on immigration. Presently the migrant population is about 40% of the total people of Goa and steadily rising. No other state in the country has faced this overwhelming immigration and suppression of its population.

Goa joined the union territory of India in 1961; more than 10 years after the formulation of the Constitution and missed two five-year economic development plans. They had no say in providing clauses for the protection of the cultural and historical rights of its indigenous population. The Constitution of India under Part XXI provides for temporary, transitional and special provisions to be made by Parliament with respect to certain states. Within this Part a provision under Article 371 has states like Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland etc issue statutes for regulating/restricting ownership and transfer of land with respect to sale of land to non-residents/foreigners. There are similar provisions that empower states to protect their identities under Article 19-D of the Constitution. Why should Goa not enforce such laws as our ancestral homes are being demolished to create multi-stories monstrosities to house non-Goan families? Non-Goans now have a firm grip on the burgeoning real estate market. It’s a sad day when the son’s of the soil have to pay outsiders for a share of their motherland.

You have not experienced the true culture of Goa. All you have seen is a media fueled distortion of facts and patented Bollywood stereotypes that are an insult to our culture. So I do not expect you to understand sitting all the way there in your stuffy apartments crawling the web for information about Goa to suit your petty mindsets. I mean judging from your states of origin I can understand why you are having "pipe-dreams" about settling in Goa. Looking forlornly towards a state with a higher standard of living than yours is only going to help satisfy your cravings for a moment but working hard there and offering a better future for your people is what is going to keep you happier in the longer run.

While i'm at that topic, you might as well check the following link:-

http://fungoa.blogspot.com/2008/12/migration-impact-on-goan-demography.html

For the record let it be known that i'm a resident Goan in my early twenties and am working with an NGO trying to reform our corrupt political system. when everything is done and dusted, y'all have a lot of soul-searching to do..