Ami Goenkar Happy Forever

Goans are complacent and peace loving people. Ahimsa is their mantra and they abrogate violence. Any deviation from these characteristics invited a strong reprimand from the elders “Goenkar mare tum?”

You are thrilled and excited when the sound waves coming from the magical word “Goenkar” strikes the drums of your ears. A Goenkar is a distinct personality commanding high respect and admiration from people all over the world. He is a mixture of many virtues and just a few vices. He is a shining example of service to mankind, religious tolerance, frankness and open-heartedness, a picture of helpfulness and co-operation, love and caring, for others to emulate. He is unpredictable but dependable and will keep his word. Goenkars were correctly analyzed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru when he remarked, “Wonderful are the people of Goa”.

What are his special features, distinct character and hallmark? Goans earned a name distinct from others. Wherever a Goan goes, he is instantly marked and easily identified. He comes, he sees and he conquers. He owns the ability to make everything his own, and wins over any situation. He is charitable beyond imagination; this is another characteristic of Goans, for it is in his blood. One of the best examples of charity is Dayanand Bandodkar, who helped the poor and the needy by even going out of the way if necessary.

He is religious without being fanatic and believes in religious co-existence. When any idol, painting or photo of any particular deity or faith is clandestinely fixed adjacent to any newly constructed road or a highway, he will never remove, destroy or denigrate the same. On the contrary on the same day he will place at the same place, an idol or picture of his own deity or faith, and garland both. This is the noble example of religious tolerances of the typical Goenkar. Before any major decision is taken, either in respect of his business or any proposal of marriage, he will not proceed unless his family God says ‘ok’ by way of ‘prassad’. Even our Christian brothers have tremendous faith in the said ‘prassad’.

Goans are complacent and peace loving people. Ahimsa is their mantra and they abrogate violence. This was evidenced when Indira Gandhi was shot dead. There were riots, firings, burnings and massacres everywhere, surprisingly not even a single stone was hurled on any person in Goa, and there was complete communal harmony everywhere. No wonder then that the Portuguese could rule Goa for more than four centuries. Goans are well-known as being very “Folgui” (spendthrift) and are in sharp contrast to “Pooneri Bhamte” (misers). Just witness the marriage ceremony of his daughter you will see that he will spend lavishly. He will move heaven and earth to mobilise resources, and will even mortgage his properties or pawn gold ornaments to avoid humiliation, and will maintain his dignity and self-respect. He avoids social tensions or bitterness. He is an unassuming but outspoken personality.

Prior to the liberation of Goa, the Goan Brahmin, in comparison to his better-half, played a dominant role in Goan society. By and large, because of her limited education and social background, her role was restricted to “mule” (child) and “chule” (kitchen).

But the ‘Baman’ is very famous for his “Baman Buddi”, which was used by him like atomic energy for constructive as well as to some extent destructive purposes. People approach him for his valuable advice. Some of the Brahmins could afford to keep a paramour who enjoyed the status of almost a second wife. In this context I remember an incident and I cannot resist the temptation of narrating it. The mother, her son and his wife were engrossed in chitchatting, suddenly, Audu (a gaudi), like a ghost, appeared and stood like a statue on the threshold of the house. Seeing Audu, the mother said to her son, “Mukya, (Mucund) Audu has come to inquire whether her daughter, who has just attained the puberty, will be kept by you.” This is how society looked upon this system during those times. Times have changed; today has any mother the courage to ask such questions in the presence of her daughter-in-law?

It is wrong to brand Goenkars as “Bebde” (drunkard). They drink to give company at parties and weddings, but always under control. Even labourers, farmers and artisans after a hard day’s work, consumed a small quantity of liquor “urrac or caju” before dinner. Before liberation he was totally alien to the political climate of Goa. He is “Susegada”, an Epicurean philosopher, eating, drinking, singing, dancing and enjoying life to the full extent. He is a grasshopper, not at all bothered about the future.

The concept of ‘Goenkarpan’ has undergone a change after the liberation of Goa. The joint family system, which was common in the Brahmin family, has almost vanished. This gave rise to family feuds and quarrels, due to the undivided family property and its management. This gave rise to unending litigation. This earned him the title of “Demanist” (litigant). The bhatkar remained only a bhatkar and seeking jobs was an affront to his dignity and status. Ancestral property was fragmented and divided. I belonged to that first-generation-educated who preferred to do a job or service. The Goan woman is god-fearing, helpful, innocent and devoted to her husband wearing simple traditional dress and ever-smiling. Before liberation there were hardly any petitions for divorce. Any deviation from these characteristics invited a strong reprimand from the elders “Goenkar mare tum?”

By Prof Govind Bhobe
The Navhind Times, Panorama
Sunday, June 3, 2007

Posted By : Prof Govind Bhobe, Goa on 19/09/2007