A flashback of 450 years of repressive rule of the Portuguese did not bend the will of the people of Goa for unity. That is the identity and idea of Goa. Fear and brutality and inquisition did not deter people to achieve the common goal of freedom. Religion never divided Goans. They stood as one block. Preservation of culture, traditions or customs were important, but were not the forces of unity. Languages were not the focus of Goan identity. Communal harmony was the hallmark. Konkani, as a language, was degraded as the lingua of cooks and butlers and attending teatro (tiatr) was considered as demeaning. Land again was not considered precious to be confined to boundaries. It is now sold by land sharks for self-enrichment. The communal harmony, social and cultural life having Western influence are Goan attractions for outsiders.
