Anokhi Fashion Lifestyle Entertaiment

Stepping off of the small plane, I realize that it’s just breaking dawn outside. It’s been 23 hours, three long plane rides and a lifetime worth of excitement since I left Toronto. To be here – to fi nally see the natural beauty of Goa and to be in the place where my ancestors came from – is indescribable.

It’s November 2010 and I, along with 13 other young adults, have been chosen to participate in the Know Goa Programme (KGP), designed by the Government of Goa, Department of NRI Affairs in 2008 so that every year Goan Diaspora youth from around the world had a chance to discover Goa and their roots. Participants (ages 18 to 28) are taken all over the state to see everything that Goa represents – from the historical monuments, educational centres, government buildings and, of course, the breathtaking scenery.

The 15-day journey starts once we are greeted with the warmest of welcomes by our host for the trip; a jovial, smiling man named Shri U.D Kamat, who has a penchant for telling jokes and for Goan cuisine. I’ve spent the past 23 hours on the plane getting to know my five fellow Canadians on the trip, who, though despite living relatively close to each other, have never met before this plane ride. We all become fast friends and are amazed at what we see when we step off the plane; the scenery is unlike anything I have ever seen before. Lush green, tropical plants, lagoons, beaches and sky-high palm trees are everywhere. Cows walk along the side of the road beside Portuguese-style houses that shine in a rainbow of colours as we zoom through the mad Indian traffic to our residency. Natural beauty is abundant, and it’s plain to see why Goa attracts more than two million tourists each year.

India’s smallest state is located on the western coast of India and was ruled by the Muslim and Hindu dynasties before being taken over by the Catholic Portuguese from 1510 to 1961. The merge of Mughal and Portugese infl uences filter through every aspect of this state, from the food to architecture and religion, making it one of the most unique places in India.The humidity is in beautiful contrast to the cold autumn that we left behind in Canada, and I instantly realize that the sweatshirt and jeans and that I was wearing on the plane will not be worn again for the duration of the trip.

The Canadians are the first to arrive, and we spend most of the day waiting on the arrival of our fellow participants from other countries. A young man from Malaysia studying engineering arrives, a girl from New York, two from Tanzania four from Australia. We become fast friends and share a connection over our linked heritage. Our first night is spent bonding over the famous Goan super-potent, clear, almost undrinkable drink feni, made from the fermented fruit of the cashew tree.

The residency that we stay at is located in Miramar and consists of a series of little houses in a private area right beside Miramar beach. Exotic birds chirping away and a clear view of the Arabian Sea is what we wake up to each morning. Our days in Goa are scheduled down to the minute, and our guide (a friendly, knowledgeable man named Francis) shows us the ins and outs of this fabulous state. We visit the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary where we see Indian tigers and pythons. We visit a beautiful spice farm where we are greeted with fl owers and a welcome concert where local singers and dancers perform traditional Goan songs and folk dances for us. We are even lucky enough to be there for one of the biggest festivals of the year, the feast of Goa’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier – December 3 marks the day of the feast when thousands of people come out in their best outfits to attend the mass and celebrate afterward with food and festivities. Because of the crowds, the mass is held outside of the basilica and large tents are decorated in bright, colours to host all of the people.

The KGP is just one of the many programs offered to youth who are interested in learning about the land where their parents or grandparents grew up but who wouldn’t be able to make the trip without the program. Many of the programs, including the Know India Programme (KIP), now in its 17th year) are sponsored by the Indian government each year specifi cally to educate Diaspora youth about their heritage and modern-day India with the hope that they will teach people in their own countries about their experience.

This trip is not a vacation – it’s a trip to learn and experience. Yes, we visit the beaches and shop for saris and sample the popular Goan sweet bebinca in Mapusa Market, but we also visit the university and workplaces and talk to students and professionals about the challenges Goan people face. Tourism, fishing and agriculture are the biggest industries in Goa, but many locals fi nd it hard to fi nd opportunities to make money in other fi elds. Many people would leave Goa and go to other parts of India or even abroad to fi nd work and make more money than they would have if they stayed in Goa. The local people tell us they stay out of loyalty knowing they could be making more money elsewhere. The students are aware of this as well, and some speak of leaving once they graduate. We also speak with authors, artists, government offi cials and businessmen who have travelled the world only to come back to Goa, saying that nowhere else compares in terms of lifestyle satisfaction. They fi nd Goa inspiring and many have created successful lives for themselves. They say it’s a great place to start a family and raise their children.

We end our stay in Goa after 10 days before embarking on a short trip to Agra and New Delhi to see a little of what the rest of India is like and of course, to see the Taj Mahal. The difference in, well, everything is apparent. The densely crowded, congestion-fi lled streets of New Delhi compared with the airy natural beauty of Goa is a surprise. There are many sights to see and things to do in this bustling city and it becomes clear that India is host to many different worlds. Although it’s just a small part of the country, Goa is a world I am truly happy to have explored.

For more information about the Know Goa and Know India Programmes, please contact your local Goan Association or visit www.moia.gov.in and click on the Diaspora Services page.

BY CANDICE FERNANDEZ / PUBLISHED IN THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE / JANUARY 2012