By associating susegad with laziness and colonial influence, the Chief Minister frames it as a hindrance to progress
At the Youth Leaders Conclave at Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister stated that the ‘susegad’ mindset, originating during Portuguese colonial rule, has perpetuated a sense of laziness among Goans. While criticising traditional business hours, the CM encouraged a shift towards a more industrious lifestyle to enhance productivity and seize employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister’s statement, while it may be viewed as an attempt to push Goans toward upward class mobility by adopting values traditionally associated with Westernisation, it would however risk undermining the unique Goan identity, which balances economic participation with cultural and communal harmony.
While the promotion of industriousness aligns with economic aspirations, it contradicts the Goan ethos that values quality of life and cultural leisure. The call to move away from susegad might inadvertently reinforce caste or class hierarchies by prioritising dominant cultural ideals over Goan traditions.
Although the CM’s statement implicitly encourages Goan youth to aspire for upward mobility by abandoning traditional values that might be perceived as laid-back or unambitious, such a narrative sparks concerns about non-Goans dominating the local economy and the influx of external workers.
By suggesting that Goans should adopt a more industrious and regimented lifestyle, the CM may be implicitly encouraging behaviours aligned with historically dominant caste values, often prioritising work ethic, education, and economic ambition.
Such an approach could marginalise the susegad lifestyle, rooted in Goan Catholic and Konkani traditions, which prioritise balance, leisure, and communal living over relentless economic productivity. By associating susegad with laziness and colonial influence, the Chief Minister frames it as a hindrance to progress.
Contrasting View
While the Chief Minister advocates for increased industriousness, many Goans view ‘susegad’ as a cherished aspect of their cultural identity, representing a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. Historical Examples of Cultural Takeovers:
- The colonisation of Native Indians by European occupiers involved a combination of military conquest, economic exploitation, religious conversion, and cultural suppression.
- European explorers, starting with Christopher Columbus in 1492, came into contact with Native American tribes, often viewing them as obstacles to territorial and resource expansion.
- Colonisers used treaties, often coerced or deceitfully drafted, to acquire land. Tribes were forced to cede vast territories to settlers.
- The doctrine of terra nullius (land belonging to no one) and concepts like “Manifest Destiny” were used to justify territorial expansion, disregarding Native land rights.
- Colonisers sought to assimilate Native peoples by eroding their cultural practices, languages, and traditions.
- Colonial governments imposed legal systems that excluded Native Americans from land ownership and governance.
Portuguese colonisation
The phenomenon of “reverse colonisation” in Goa, framed through the lens of national integration following its liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961 and subsequent statehood in 1987, can be viewed as a complex socio-political and cultural process.
Shift in Governance Structures: Post-liberation, Goa transitioned from a distinct Portuguese colonial administration to integration into the Indian Union. While this was celebrated as liberation, it also marked the imposition of centralised governance that often prioritised national interests over local concerns.
Statehood Debate: While statehood in 1987 granted Goa its own legislature, it also brought increased oversight from central authorities, influencing decisions on land use, environmental policies, and economic development.
Economic and Demographic Transformation
In-migration and Real Estate Boom: Post-liberation, Goa witnessed has significant migration from other Indian states. This influx, driven by employment opportunities in tourism and real estate, has altered the demographic composition, with non-Goans often outnumbering locals in urban areas.
Privatisation of Land and Resources: Large-scale tourism and real estate projects often cater to national or international interests, leading to displacement of local communities and a loss of traditional occupations like fishing and farming.
Tourism’s Dual Role: While tourism drives Goa’s economy, it also imposes a narrative of commodification, turning Goan culture into a product for consumption rather than a living tradition.
Environmental Exploitation
Development vs. Preservation: Large infrastructure projects, such as highways, railways, and port expansions, are often justified as national integration efforts. However, they have led to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions in traditional Goan livelihoods.
Mining and Resource Exploitation: Goa’s rich mineral resources, especially iron ore, have been subject to exploitation by national and multinational corporations, often with minimal benefit to local communities.
Perceiving it as Reverse Colonisation
Reinterpretation of Liberation: While Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule was intended to restore autonomy, many Goans perceive it as a substitution of one form of domination for another.
Cultural Marginalisation: National integration efforts often marginalise Goa’s unique heritage in favour of a homogenised Indian identity, perceived as a form of cultural colonisation.
The Path Forward
What could be described as “reverse colonisation” in Goa is a nuanced phenomenon, shaped by the interplay of political, cultural, and economic forces. For many Goans, the challenge lies in striking a balance between embracing their Indian identity and preserving the unique culture and traditions that define Goa’s essence.
Efforts to promote development must be tailored to local contexts, ensuring that traditional livelihoods and cultural practices are not sidelined. The susegad lifestyle, far from being a hindrance, should be celebrated as a model of balanced living that values both economic contribution and cultural preservation.
