Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
 
Panaji, Jun 3: The people of Indian origin in Portugal have said that they have moved on after Goa liberation and the younger generation looks at their land of ancestors from the economic point of view.
 
“Most of the Goans abroad, especially in Portugal, has moved on since 1961, they look at India and Goa from the economic perspective,” Virginia Bras Gomes, a member of Portugal based Ekvat group told reporters.
 
Ekvat is in Goa on invitation of State NRI Commissioner to perform at Kala Academy. The music troupe of people of Indian origin in Portugal has been performing Konkani music since 20 years.
 
Gomes said that new young generation in Portugal are well informed about the history of Goa and its liberation from Portuguese rule. “We always tell them how their grandparents shifted from Goa to Portugal during pre-liberation days and other anecdotes,” she said.
 
Gomes stated that they want the younger generation to know about Goa and its history as the state did exist and things did happen prior to 1961.
 
Goa was liberated by Indian Army from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961, which marks the downfall of 450 year old colonial rule.
 
Another Ekvat member, Arvi Barbosa said that they find it difficult to get younger generation to be part of their troupe. “They spend more time in watching movies rather than dancing with us,” he said, adding that the troup which has 25 performers comprise 5 born and brought up in Goa.
 
“The troupe has 17 Goans who were born and brought up in East Africa, which was colonized by Portugal while three are of Portuguese origin,” he said.
 
They will be performing traditional Goan dances like dekhnis, harvest dances and Mandos during their performance.