The enforced standardization of Konkani through the exclusive official recognition of the Devanagari script ( I have referred to it as referred to as Nagrization) represents a textbook case of French thinker Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of linguistic capital in operation. Bourdieu conceptualized linguistic capital as a subset of cultural capital: the ensemble of linguistic resources, including varieties, accents, registers,...
The Case for Dual Citizenship: Empowering Goans
In the sun-drenched shores of Goa, where the legacy of Portuguese colonialism lingers in architecture, cuisine, and even surnames, a quiet revolution is underway. For decades, Goans have navigated the complex aftermath of colonial rule, which ended in 1961 when India integrated the territory from Portugal. While Portugal’s colonial era was marked by exploitation, cultural imposition, and human rights...
Deconstructing Nationalist Historiography of Goa
Goa’s history is frequently told through a dramatic arc: Portuguese conquest in 1510 followed by four and a half centuries of colonial rule, ending with integration into India in 1961. This dominant nationalist narrative casts Goa as a long-suffering territory that was finally “liberated” and returned to its rightful place within the Indian nation. Yet this telling often resembles...
Enough is Enough: Goa’s Resurgent Fight to Save Its Soul, Land, and Identity
In the emerald landscapes and coastal rhythms of Goa, a powerful declaration has taken root: “Enough is enough.” This is no mere slogan. It is the heartbeat of a growing people’s movement against the relentless erosion of their homeland. For too long, Goa has worn the masks of imposed progress: development that promises prosperity but delivers dispossession, tourism that...
Enough is Enough: The People’s Movement to Save Goa
On a bright January evening in 2026, the historic Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji became the beating heart of a new awakening. Hundreds of Goans from every walk of life filled the venue, while many more watched from Azad Maidan on large screens outside. The air carried a single, powerful chant: “Enough is Enough” — in Konkani, “Āṇik sōnsūṁ...
Reimagining Goa’s Tourism
Goa, once synonymous with pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and laid-back charm, the susegado life is grappling with a tourism model on the brink of collapse. Despite rising tourist arrivals, the underlying cracks are evident: visitor satisfaction has plummeted due to neglected infrastructure, overcrowded beaches, and environmental degradation. This paradox—growing numbers amid falling appeal—highlights a deeper malaise: a tourism sector...
Doing Theology After the Tragedy of the Arpora Nightclub Fire
Goa, India’s smallest state on the western coast, is renowned for its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and a distinctive cultural heritage shaped by centuries of Portuguese influence. As a former colony, it retains a significant Catholic population—with iconic sites like the Basilica of Bom Jesus, home to the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, attracting pilgrims worldwide. This blend...
The Tourism Divide in Goa: Two Regions, One Identity at Stake
Goa, India’s beloved coastal gem, is famous for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and relaxed way of life that attracts millions of visitors every year. Yet, behind this picture-perfect image lies a clear divide between North Goa and South Goa—two halves of the same state that have grown into very different tourism destinations. North Goa throbs with energy and...
Lack and Lethal Desire and the Burning Night Club
In Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory, human existence is structured around lack—the fundamental absence at the heart of desire that propels us endlessly toward an unattainable object, the objet petit a. This elusive “object-cause of desire” sustains illusions within the Symbolic order of laws and social norms, while concealing the traumatic Real that lurks beneath. The devastating fire at Birch...
Taking Control over Absurdity That Rules Us
In the tropical embrace of Goa, where golden sands whisper promises of escape and the Arabian Sea cradles dreams of leisure, a troubling shadow looms large. This once-idyllic haven has become a stage for what can only be described as governing absurdity—a chaotic symphony where fleeting fantasies eclipse sustainable futures. The recent devastating fire at a popular nightclub in...
