Goa is a tropical paradise that lies on the west coast of India bathed by the warm waters of the Arabian sea »»»
It is unique in many ways but mostly due to its history and geography that have left an indelible mark on its people for generations.
Having been ruled by the colonial Portuguese for over 450yrs ( as compared to the rest of India that was ruled by the British for 250yrs) there is still visible a distinct Portuguese / European flavor that has permeated all aspects of Goa’s life including its food, religion, language, festivals, dances and of course names. This becomes apparent as soon as you cross the border to Goa from India or elsewhere.
This unique blend of Indian and Portuguese culture is to a large extent what makes Goa and the “Goan” unique. Also unique is the fact that it is one of the few colonies that India ( an ex- colony itself) liberated in 1961 and this set the stage for reclaiming history.
Today at the dawn of the “age of Information Technology”, as Goa enters the new millennium, it has plenty to write about in terms of achievements, some examples being- the highest per capita income in India, the highest per personal savings rate in India, the lowest infant mortality rate in India, one of the highest literacy rate in India and one of the highest standards of living as compared to the rest of India.