The year 1930 saw Damodar Mangalji leave all that wasfamiliar behind in his native Gujarat, with nothing more than his savings,travel through British India, and arrive in Goa. While his arduous journey ledhim to traverse two states, and venture into the unknown, he was undeterred byhis vision; a new place to call home. And what better way to ensure to motivatehis kinsmen to follow in his stead, then by setting up a foundation that wouldbring the Gujarati community to the fore in their soon to be new home? Anorganisation that offered all incoming members of the community a kind of havenand a place that they turn to for assistance if the need arose. And thus, theGujarati Samaj was born.
While it took them a while to find their footing, and theystarted on a small scale, 1964 saw them fulfill their ambition and set up thefirst Samaj in Margão. The main purpose of the Samaj was none other than tohelp the members of their community find their footing in an alien place, asthey would doubtlessly be unaware of their surroundings. As Goa was stillgoverned by the Portuguese, the community had to pass through a then stringentimmigration process in order to get beyond the border. Having been here for 90years now, due credit needs to be given to the founding members of the group inGoa.
As the influx of Gujaratis started increasing, the need forgrowth arose, prompting the decision of expansion for the Samaj. With Vasco,and Panjim touted as possible venues for this expansion, the founding familiesof Gonsalia, Mehta, and Raythata brought in members of their families fromGujarat to both help manage their businesses as well as expand the scope of theSamaj.
In asserting their contribution and the bringing over oftheir culture to their state, Yogita Gonsalia romantically quotes the poetNarmad by saying, “Where there is even one Gujarati, there is always Gujarat.”This was evident in the bridging of cultural gaps that was again inevitable,even in terms of various cultural distinctions brought about by religion. WhileGoa was used to only celebrating the festivals of Chaturthi and Diwali,Navratri was not something that was given much importance. With the increase innumbers of the tight knit community, “You can know see a reflection of anythingthat is happening in Gujarat in Goa,” adds Yogita.
With decades having passed, the Gujarati community seesitself thoroughly integrated with Goa. Though to some, they may always be seenas settlers, others will doubtlessly realise that their contribution to thestate has done naught but enriched it with the addition of another culture. Forthe members of the community, there will always be a place to call home. As themotto of the Samaj goes, ‘No Gujarati will ever be lost.’
