What comes to mind when one hears the word Goa? It does something to us Goansand produces a sense of bonding. What does it do to tourists or non-goans? It is a doing word rather than simply a saying word. There is performativity packed into it. We are invited to thinking of Goa as an event word. Goa is...
Imaging Goa…
There is a thin line between simulation and seduction. Unfortunately, reality seems to be lost in its simulation. We seem to be happy to be consuming simulations. Meaning has imploded and we have lost touch with reality. Simulation has replaced reality. Simulation has become a new regime of structuring reality. Sign in this regime has given up the function...
Long live the Francis Effect
The seventeen exposition of St. Francis Xavier brought us all under what could be described as the Francis effect. The Francis effect was visible in the preparation, execution and closure of the great event. Once again Goans across all walks of life came together and in a true spirit of peace and inter-faith harmony celebrated a great spiritual event....
The Demographic Deficits and the Changing Political Role of the Goan Catholics
We are living in explosive times in Goa. Issues like Goan Identity, scarcity of land resources, special status, medium of instruction and a host of other concerns close to our hearts erupt from a profound sense of loss felt in different degrees by Goans. This sense of loss is complex but has a common thread that binds its different...
Examined Life For A Livable Goa
‘Unexamined life is not worth living’ said Socrates. He taught that wise lived an examined life. Self knowledge is a fruit of examined life. Every human person lives at least a partially examined life and feels the challenge of expansion of the horizon of that life.We Goans also feel the imperative to examine our lives. Some teach that Indians...
Politics and the Sources of our Goan Selfhood
The sources of our self are being used and abused by political parties to milk votes and come to power. To understand our plight it might be important that we understand the sources of our selves. Indeed, we have an inner core self but it draws a sense of itself from our culture, religion, land , caste, family, peers, ...
Facing our Political Present – I
Present is not politically neutral but is certainly politically pregnant. Our time is intense and we have to face its political challenge. We Goans have to face an inevitable politics of the moment. The very idea of Goa brings forth politics into our living present. Goa becomes several things to several peoples. This becoming of Goa is the...
Being a Goan at a Time of Hindutva – II
There is something unique about Goa and Goan-ness. Maybe Pandit Nehru saw a bit of it when he said ‘Ajeeb hai Goa ke log’ . ‘Abjeeb’ meant strange. Hence, his view can be interpreted pejoratively. But it can also be viewed positively meaning differently. Therefore, without taking offence to this remark, we can also look at it as our...
Goans Between Desire and Drive
Most of us have a sense of being blown away by a nameless force that embeds our mass culture. Goa is no exception to this predicament of humanity in our country and the world. We seem to feel that the ground under our feet is fast shifting and Goans, Goa ad Goan-ness are in an exile right in front...
Goans and Human Development – III
Today we have several indices that enable us to calculate human development in our society. Goa is regarded as the best and the fastest developing small states in our country. But still have many reasons to be concerned as the so-called development continues to leave several Goans (if not all) behind as it marches ahead in triumph on our...