The situation of Palestinians and Goans is somewhat similar. Palestine was forcibly usurped by the Jews and converted it into Israel while Goa was forcibly invaded by Nehru’s Congress and forcibly annexed it to Bharat against the wishes of overwhelming majority of Goans. By their coming into Arab Palestine in greater number from all around the globe the demographic structure of Palestine is altered by the Jews in favour of them while Palestinian Arabs including Muslims and Christians are gone into minority in their own land thereby losing their Arab identity, culture, tradition, language, folklore and everything best associated with the Palestinian Arabs.
Similarly by Bharat’s forcibly annexation of Goa when Goa was not a part of Bharat, the demographic structure of Goa is getting upset due to the unwanted influx of enormous amount of non-Goans into Goa. These non-Goans are not only coming as visitors but they are in greater number coming to Goa and purchasing Goan land and settling down in Goa thereby introducing their dirty culture, dirty tradition, dirty habits and everything dirty and harsh associated with them. In fact generally speaking there is nothing good in Bharat, everything is worst which is foreign to genuine Goans. Because of the influx of non-Goans into Goa the genuine identity of Goa and Goans is diminishing.
It is over 60 years now Palestinians are fighting for their separate independent Palestinian State but Israel is adamant. Goans are also asking for Special Status with special privileges for Goa but Central government is closing its eyes and ears for Goa's demands. If this adamancy persists for long, the present generation and the generation to come, out of frustration against Central government’s step motherly treatment meted out to Goa, may demand total independence for Goa from Bharat because Goa was never a part of Bharat. The time for this demand may be closer otherwise Centre must heed Goa’s voice and accord especial status to Goa now only as per the wishes of the Goans. Many of the problems of India are due to the refusal of the genuine demands of the States by the Center. Central government consider itself as the “Dada” of India which is not correct. This Hitlerian attitude of the Centre must change as per the changing of the time in India.
Just like original Palestinians, Goans are also kind, big hearted and soft people and because of this they allowed to be captured and invaded by the foreign powers and invaders. Currently due to their hard life Palestinians are become very progressive in all the fields because they are become aware that only thru hard work they can achieve their goals. Sports is one field where they are doing well and especially in Soccer they are showing lot of improvement. Their soccer team is winning them laurels in the Arab World and in the Middle East as well. Recently in the last week their soccer team played against Indian National team at Delhi in India and surprisingly they defeated India by 4-2 goals. They not only defeated India by such a big margin but they also made misery of Indian footballers in every department of the game by outbeating every Indian player thereby putting the host into a big shame.
India’s tradition in soccer is longer than that of Palestinian tradition yet India is not a powerhouse in soccer. Palestine which is not even a full-fledged independent State being under the domination of Israel and yet beating such a mighty India means something to be applauded. Compared to India’s size, population and industrial development Palestine is minnow. What is the secret behind Palestine's victory over India? It is nothing but dedicated hard work they put in to brush their soccer skills with very limited financial resources at their disposal. Besides, the patriotic feelings Palestinians are having for Palestinian causes are great compared to what Indians are having for Indian causes.
These Palestinians are living for decades in Refugee Camps where there is no proper soccer ground but within available means they make maximum use. Instead of soccer balls Palestinians are familiar to see Bombs from Israelis but still they play better football. In India we have rain of water but in Palestine they experience rain of Bombs and bullets coming from Israelis and yet they play better football than Indians. What an excellent achievement!! I admire them especially for their killer instinct for victory, either on the sports field or on the battle field fighting against Israeli occupation of their land.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
