Goa, Dec. 30 -- LUIS DIAS

Isn't life funny? On the one hand, there is a mass exodus out of Goa, as Goans from all so cial strata seek greener pastures elsewhere, using the Portuguese passport or other avenues, largely because Goans don't feel valued here, or life has be come too unbearable com pared to their lived memo ry of a Goa that was. But on the other hand, there is a massive influx into Goa. Goa has become like a revolving door. Per haps that's how it always was. And perhaps Goa is not necessarily unique in this respect either, al though Goa chest-thump ers think Goa is unique at everything. The poor, small liveli hood-driven 'migrants', vilified as 'ghanti' quickly adapt, learning out of ne cessity to speak Konka ni far more flue...