RepublicDayCelebration

74thRepublicDaywascelebratedin Holy Redeemer English Medium School, Belthangady. PTA Vice

President Bonaventure Pinto hoisted the flag. The school choir sangpatrioticsongs.Headmaster Fr Clifford Pinto, Teachers and Students witnessed the program. StudentsAustinFernandesthanked, andShivanicomperedtheprogram.

-SambramDigital

Is GEM Culture the Victim of AcademicBaloney?

Part l: GEMCulture(previouslydiscussed)

Part II:Indo-PortugueseLegacy

PhilomenaLawrence

Gilbert Lawrence

Authors:Insights intoColonialGoa,PublishedbyAmazon/Kindle

(Fromlast week) ChangingGoan Attitudes

Rochelle Pinto et al report that the 19th century reforms related to Education and Transportation (by rail and sea) “in essence turned the Overseas Territories (OT) into economicallyprofitableenclavesfor the British.” Jason Keith Fernandes considers the colonial culture to be a form of orientalism peculiar to Goa a mix of strains of GoaIndica,Goa-Portuguesa,andBritishIndian orientalism. Goa, however, continued to progress due to education, democratization, distant employment,travel,communication with the outside world, affluence and colonization. In addition, economic self-sufficiency, industrialization, technology, and the influence of outsiders on the residents also played a role in Goa’s economic progress. GEMs (Christians and Hindus) deserve credit for continuing to preserve their core ethos while assimilating Iberiancustomsandlifestyledevoid ofanyfeelingofcolonialpatriotism.

In our view, the GEM culture is a combination of the Traditional with the Modern. It is worth noting that there are variations in GEM traditions attire, diet, music, and language--ineachdiasporagroup, both in India and abroad. The variations are not an indication that one group is superior to another, but rather they reflect the inventiveness of the groups in finding their own niche within the environment in which theylive. Portugal ruled Goa for 451 years and 23 days – a chapter in history which began two and a half centuries before the British owned any territory in Asia. Goans’ Iberian-style, mentality, religion, language, food, and attire are the result of colonialism and its resultant intermingling of two cultures. In addition, GEMs were influencedbythewesterneducation they received from Renaissance-era priests and nuns, who brought with them a broad spectrum of innovativeideasandoutlookonlife.

When Portuguese culture and Latin Christianity were introduced to the west coast of India, they added to the many other cultures and religions that influenced the coast over more than 5,000 years of history. As Faleiro points out in his extensive writings about waves of in-migration into Goa since antiquity, “Every successive people that descended on Goa subjugated the older settlers” to form the current composite layered society.

Improved Farming Techniques and Introduction

of NewPlant Species. Prior to Lusitania’s arrival, Indians practiced subsistence farming –planting just enough crops to feed their families. To keep the cost of farming low, the poor farmers did not engage in intense farming, which involved the use of fertilizers, better seeds, improved irrigation methods, crop rotation, and allowing the land to lay fallow at regular intervals to permit soil rejuvenation. Over time, the soil deteriorated, and the yield decreased.The Konkan region grew rice (staple crop) but not in sufficient quantities to feed its people, which led to frequent faminesandstarvation.Droughtsor flooding compounded the crises and encouraged out-migration of the population.

The European / Renaissance monks established horticultural farms, where they introduced the abovementioned farming techniques. In addition, the colonizer’s control overtheCanararegion(Mangalore), the rice basket of the west coast, assured the Konkan people of adequate rice supplies, eliminating starvation. When the Iberian navy was not fending off the Dutch navy, they escorted rice-laden vessels from Canara to Old Goa, protecting them from coastal pirates. The monks introduced 50 new species of plants vegetables, spices, and fruits - from Africa and South America, including corn (maize) and potatoes. The latter crops eliminated mass starvation in GoaandotherpartsofAsiaasthese plants could thrive in poor soil conditions and the harvests were plentiful. The farming techniques were so successful that the Ikkeri and Keladi rulers specifically recruited Goan farmers to tend the fieldsinCanaraandevengavethem land grants. It is interesting to note that the monks also transported Asian plants to Africa and Brazil.

MissedOpportunities

In addition to discussing the colonizers’ contributions, it is also important to enumerate some of their missed opportunities. For example, Goa’s valuable asset its deep harbor at Mormugao could have turned the port into the Hong Kong or Singapore of India had Lisbon accepted Britain’s offer in 1815 to purchase Goa for half a millionpounds.Intoday’seconomic jargon, the British had the advantages of “the economies of scale” of world commerce and the thriving Industrial Revolution; and their focused colonial approach extended all the way from the throne in London to the “white sahib” in the field. Lisbon declined the offer and held on to Goa for sentimental reasons. In doing so, Lisbon retained the goose-thatwas-laying-the-golden-eggs in terms of Diasporas’ remittances of British-Indian rupees, East African florins,and later, of shillings.

Asingleword,PARALYSISbest describes the post-World War II governments both in Panjim and Lisbon. In fact, many would use the termtoportraytheconditionssince the beginning of the 20th century, when many development “projects” lay stagnant on the drawing board ad infinitum. Lisbon focused on Africa, Brazil, and its own internal chaos in the 19th century. In addition, Pombal, who came to power in 1750, eliminated Goa as the administrative center for Africa in 1752 even though professional GEMs served in those colonies’ bureaucracy until the 20th century. Tensions between indigenous Goans and reinois (whites born in Portugal), descedentes or castios (whites born in the colonies), casados (whites married to natives), and mestizos, as well as rebellions led by natives and their tax collectors paralyzedthe OT. In 1843, Lisbon expelled several religious orders, which were closely involvedinsustainingtheotherwise stagnant economy. The absence of these dedicated individuals caused turmoilinthefieldofeducationand in the economy. Lisbon’s string of royal dynasties, which began in 1139, experienced displacements, upheavals, royal assassinations, and finally ended in 1910 with the monarchy replaced by the first republic. It is understandable that GEMs did not want to hitch their wagons to Portugal’s fading star! That country was destined to discover its own shortcomings in the 20th century when it joined the EU. We will leave it to the Lusitanos to analyze how much Portugal benefited from its dark colonial history and the effects of the internal collapse and external pressures. Yet, now as part of EU, Lusitania is seeingits star shine. Is Newitt, Subrahmanyam and others blaming the dilution of Old Culture due to Affluence (universally seen) onReligionor Colonization?

SharingCulturalOpportunities

In our view, there are great opportunities for the strengthening of lusofonia in the 21st century. For starters, we suggest that GEM diaspora groups worldwide should foster cultural exchanges and network with each other. Another step would be to encourage interactions with those who lived through the struggle for independence in 1961. These individuals are part of the last living generation with a wealth of firsthand information on Iberian colonialismintheEastandinAfrica. It would benefit present and future generations to have access to the documented recollections of those who lived during that period. Such oral discourses and printed reminisces should include input from the then young military recruits who completed tours of duty through the East in the 1950s. Suchexchangescouldevenhelpthe participants re-live their youth. A sister-to-sisterrelationshipbetween municipalities and institutions across the Lusosphere would be a boon to those sharing in the exchange.

In addition to esoteric academic papers on Lusophilia, sports can also play an important role in fostering lusofonia. For example, Portugal’s cultural goal could be to organize a world-class competitive soccer program for all its former colonies, like the one Britain established with the game of cricket. As world powerhouses in football, Portugal and Brazil could organize soccer camps in various parts of the Lusosphere to promote the next Edson Pele or Cristiano Ronaldo. The camps can also serve to train GEMs and Indians in professional and competitive soccer. A football league across the Lusosphere would be great for the economies of the countries, individualplayers,citiesandclubsin addition to enhancing tourism and goodwill. Within lusotropicalism,

GEMs could become badminton, table-tennis, and field hockey coaches. GEMs would also be excellentEnglishandHinditeachers in the Lusosphere. Looking ahead to the future, India is expected to become the third largest world economy within the next decade.