User talk:Suomi Finland 2009/research Goa

http://toolserver.org/~magnus/makeref.php

This page is for researching facts. If a fact is found to be wrong, it will be removed.

__NOINDEX__ Comunidade. Comunidades of Goa (Gaunkaris) are village co-operative associations having absolute land ownership rights and functioning independently as self-governing establishments [institutions/republics]. Gaunkaris are similar to village communes, but are unique and distinct in structure, functions, and ownership rights. A Comunidade consists of definite boundaries of land from village to village with its topographic detail, its management and social, religious and cultural interaction. Comunidades have their own Customary laws (Code of Comunidades), judiciary, self governance and jurisdiction. Comunidades are ancient Indian socio-agro-economic institutions established by the previous settlers (comprising of first settlers, original inhabitants, and indigenous people) of Goa by sharing their absolute ownership rights (land, resources, etc.) for harmonious co-existence. These Comunidades are known to have come into existence sui juris thousands of years prior to the Portuguese rule in India and much before the Indian Constitution and the State. Presently there are about 223 individual Comunidades active in Goa (others among 423 villages are yet to be re-established) located within the territory of India and spread throughout the entire region of Goa. Panaji (also Panjim) is the administrative capital of Comunidades.

History
Ancient Indian literature gives an account of people’s organizations and their collective achievements. Historical records show that village communities came to be constituted at a stage in human social evolution when nomadic life of people moving and wandering with cattle in search of green pastures came to a halt in a given locality and over a land that belonged to no one before them, with an intention to have permanent settlement thereof. It is those settled communities that first developed the land by clearing the jungles and bushes and established their own villages, installed their own respective village deity and introduced their own private laws to be governed by it. Vedic and other ancient literature reveals that ancient people led a corporate life through guilds of local bodies emerging as fully developed self-governed institutions from the soil of the land (sui generis).

Beginning around 600 B. C. up until 1510 A. D. Goa was ruled by various kings -- Bojas, Konkan Mauryas, Pulakesin II Chalukya, Sendrakas, Silaharas, Kadambas, Bhupala, Vira Kavana, Allauddin - Sultan of Bahamani, and Yusuf Adil Khan - founder of the Adil Shahi dynasty. It stands recorded that the Gaunkars/natives of Goa, with the help of Timayya (Timoja) of Canara (Karnataka), invited the Portuguese to oust the muslim rule prevailing in Goa, and liberate themselves from the hostile situaition. The muslim rulers had committed gross atrocities against Gaunkars even to the extent of dispossessing them from their own lands, the Gaunkaris were later reinstated by the Portuguese after the conquest over muslim rule. Afonso de Albuquerque thereafter entered into a bilateral pact/treaty with the Gaunkars/natives on acknowledging the assistance provided by them to oust the muslim rule. The pact/treaty assured and guaranteed guardianship and protection to Gaunkars/natives, thereby safeguarding their lands, assets, properties which they possessed, and their prerogatives, rights and privileges which they sui juris enjoyed since times immemorial. Portuguese also offered administrative tutelage to Comunidades protecting and respecting the local customs and usages and/or customary laws practiced by the Gaunkars and natives of Goa. The Portuguese controlled the territory of Goa for about 450 years, until it was annexed by India in 1961.

Demographics
Goa has a long history of migrations and diaspora of people from the main land. So it is difficult to arrive at an estimate of the population of the indigenous people of Goa residing in Goa. A rough estimate of their population(including dependents/family members) would be around 1.0 million, which is roughly about 65% of the total population of Goa. However the correct figure can be arrived at only after proper re-survey of the poplation of the indegenous people of Goa residing within (resident) and outside (non-resident) the State of Goa. The population growth rate, the sex ratio, and literacy rate matches closely to figures that of Goa. Christians and Hindus form a major chunk, while others are insignificant in numbers. The Goa Inquisition of 1560, brought about a major change in the demographic equation of Goa. For additional infomation, visit Goa

The Gaunkari System

 * Gaunkaris are ancient socio-agro-economic institutions established by the native settlers of Goa by sharing their absolute owned land and resources  for harmonious co-existence.
 * Gaunkaris have come into existence sui juris thousands of years prior to the Portuguese rule in India and much before the Indian Constitution and the State.
 * Gaunkaris are similar to village communes, but are unique and distinct in structure, functions, and land ownership rights.
 * The foundation of Gaunkari is based on the collective ownership and management of property and resources. Resource management (land and water) is the main responsibility. The basic objectives of every Comunidade in every locality are those of welfare of the comunity.
 * Gaunkaris operate on agrarian-economy wherein lands are husbanded and/or reclaimed for cultivation with large tracts reserved for cattle grazing, religious and festival purposes, Crematoriums, and Cemeteries, encatchment areas built, and irrigation systems developed at the cost of Comunidades.
 * A Gaunkari consists of definite boundaries of land from village to village with it’s topographic detail, its management and social, religious and cultural interaction.
 * Gaunkaris function independently as self-governing establishments [institutions/ republics]. It is an independent arrangement without any state interference. Gaunkaris allowed and granted only administrative tutelage to all previous kings and rulers including the Portuguese.
 * Gaunkaris have absolute land ownership rights.  ] These rights are inalienable, in that it cannot be taken by any operation of law for any reason whatsoever. One cannot hold private/individual land right/ownership title over Comunidade land. Land cannot not be sold, mortgaged, or alienated in favour of any person or authority but can only be leased or granted for specific use, e.g. religious purposes, schools, crematorium, etc.
 * The Gaunkars are co-owners of the land and of all the assets of their respective Comunidades being successors-in-interest in common, through their first ancestors. Land is owned and managed jointly but income and /or produce is shared individually. Any debts, loss or deficit is borne by all the Gaunkars/Componentes of the respective Comunidade proportionately, to meet any such eventualities.
 * The income from the produce as well as the revenues generated are spent for the welfare of the people. Any surplus is distributed in the form of Jono to the Gaunkars, service providers, and the shareholders, which is in turn spent on their families.
 * Gaunkaris take care of people’s welfare by adequately renumerating and providing shelter, education, health, and facilities to all it’s components and their dependents.


 * Gaunkaries have their own customary laws (Code of Comunidades) codified by Portuguese from age old customs and usages and is the law of Gaunkars by Gaunkars and for Gaunkars, for self-determination and for development of common and joint social welfare interests in the respective locality.
 * The beauty of the comunidades lie in it's system of adminstration [governance]. A Gaunkar is all powerful and acts as both a care-taker and ruler. Every Gaunkar has a say in the decision making process and takes active part in the day-to-day working of the system keeping vigilance at the same time. Decisions are taken through consensus.
 * Gaunkars maintain and manage resources sustainably  for their own welfare and benefits and employ workforce as per needs.
 * Tasks are clearly assigned to functionaries, who are reasonably remunerated.
 * The shareholders and other non-Gaunkar componentes cannot have ownership rights and legislative powers in Gaunkaris and individual share cannot be transferred by the shareholder, as per the customary laws.
 * Gaunkaris have their own Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, as per the provisions of the Code.  The Gaunkary is vested with its own sovereign functions in their own capacity within their own jurisdiction. The Gaunkaris have their own eminent domain with respect to imposition of penalties, forfeitures, fines, confiscation, raids, imprisonment, arrests, trials, taking evidence and passing of judgements and orders.
 * Gaunkaris are sovereign independent territories.

Land Ownership Rights
<!--Comunidades have absolute ownership rights over their lands and resources and these rights are inalienable in that it cannot be taken by any operation of law for any reason whatsoever. The Gaunkars are co-owners of the land and of all the assets of their respective Comunidades being successors-in-interest in common, through their first ancestors. One cannot hold private/individual land right/ownership title over Comunidade land.

The provisions of Article 647 of the present "Codigo das Comunidades" (Code of Comunidades) in force, prohibits alienation of the lands belonging to the Comunidade Villages in favour of any person or authority. No person can therefore legally claim to be `owning' any land thereof, except to enjoy the usufructory rights on the land. This provision in the Code of Comunidades is similar to the rule of the state which reads- "In all grants and disposals of land, the right of occupation and use only, subject to the provisions of the Code, shall be granted, and not the proprietary right of the Government in the soil itself." Article 12 of the said Codigo provides that no immovable property belonging to the Comunidades in Goa is subject to attachment by any Order of the Court. It further provides that the Court may by Order attach the liquid assets or amount in the coffers of any given Comunidade and/or on future income and receivables to satisfy any debt or liability of the given Comunidade but such order shall never fall on the immovable assets of any given Comunidade.

The provisions of Article 323 of the Code of Comunidades provides scope to grant or assign purely temporary rights to the Government over the land belonging to the Comunidades for the purpose of agricultural demonstration farms only.

The land of the Comunidade cannot be mortgaged or attached by any means to settle debts, loss or deficit of the Comunidade, if any. All such debts, loss or deficit has to be borne by all the Gaunkars/Componentes of the respective Comunidade proportionately, to meet any such eventualities. Land can only be leased or given for specific purpose of use but land can never be sold in any circumstances. However individual rights/ownership can be exercised only in situations where Comunidades are dissolved legally as per the 'Code of Comunidades'. The sale of land of Comunidade can take place by way of public auction of its entire property and assets, only when the respective Comunidade goes bankrupt or under extreme circumstances or when the membership of the respective Comunidade falls below the minimum required in terms of Article 34 of the Code and thus loses its status as Comunidade. The sale of land under these circumstances is at the instance of interested Gaunkars under bankruptcy.

The rights granted by the Comunidade by way of arrendamento (lease without rent) lapses by efflux of contract period without notice. The right granted by the Comunidade to hold land on aforamento(lease)basis lapses on expiry of stipulated lease period, of whatever duration or purpose, and like arrendamento, does not terminate upon the emise of the grantee, before expiry of the term or lease period. The land grant by way of emphyteusis (heritable lease) to any person, is not subject to alienation or transfer by sale and cannot be put or used for any other purpose than contracted with the respective Comunidade at the time of grant. The right so granted to private persons to hold land on emphyteusis or otherwise, is subject to escheat and/or to eminent domain of the respective Comunidade and/or subject to escheat to acquisition by the respective Comunidade on payment of compensation in the form of refund or remission of twenty annuities collected from the original grantee, whenever the Comuniade is in a position to remit the same for its own benefit, except when the same is granted for religious or pious purposes. All western colonial rulers including the Portuguese, assumed that ownership of the land occupied by them on Indian Territory was originally vested with the king or ruler of the locality and hence vests with the Crown in England/Portugal on their ousting the last king/ruler. It is only after several legal battles by our predecessors that the Portuguese conceded that they committed gross error and thereafter discarded their thought and declared that Comunidade lands are not held by the Comunidades on State tenure nor on emphyteusis and the land is not subject to payment of any Land Revenue to the State. The Carte de Lei dated 9.5.1901, promulgated by the Portuguese in the territory of Goa, solemnly declares that the Government's absolute domain shall vest on lands and immovable property in this State in India [only] where the land and immovable property does not belong to any person, i.e. where it happens to be non-State land and immovable property. This law of 9.5.1901 further provides powers and authority to the concerned Government of the State to provide grants and/or assign the various rights over the land belonging to the State to the subjects/citizens as to hold the land in private capacity. The above mentioned solemn declaration has drawn a clear line indicating what pertains to Absolute Domain of the State in Goa. Therefore, what already stands declared to belong to the natives/indigenous people and/or to the Comunidades in this State cannot be said to belong to the State and/or to the concerned Government. -->

All western colonial rulers including the Portuguese, assumed that ownership of the land occupied by them on Indian Territory was originally vested with the king or ruler of the locality and hence vests with the Crown in England/Portugal on their ousting the last king/ruler. It is only after several legal battles by our predecessors that the Portuguese conceded that they committed gross error and thereafter discarded their thought. On April 15, 1961, the Portuguese Governor General Manuel Vassalo e Silva signed an historic declaration stating that respective Comunidades in Goa, were  absolute owners of their lands without the element of State Grant or State land Tenure as revealed to the Government and therefore their villages are absolutely private and are not owned by the State as on December 19, 1961, to be succeeded by any Government. It declared that Comunidade lands are not held by the Comunidades on State tenure nor on emphyteusis and the land is not subject to payment of any Land Revenue to the State. Some Comunidades dissolved during earlier period of Portuguese rule for want of payment of land revenue i.e. in arrears to the State, are now subject to be reconstituted by this recognition/acknowledgement given in the year 1961.

Customary laws
Comunidades are governed by it's own laws (constitution), i.e. Code of Comunidades (Codigo das Comunidades). The Code of Comunidades is compilation of Customary laws codified (by Portuguese) from age old customs and usages and is the law of Gaunkars by Gaunkars and for Gaunkars, for self-determination and for development of common and joint social welfare interests in the respective locality. The Code of Comunidades has it's origin in vedic Indian jurisprudence and based on the principle of hindu code which in turn is based on srutis devolved since times immemorial. The Gaunkars and/or the age old Villages Communities of Goa applied the said age old usage and customs, which were then common and unwritten, being their private and personal laws, in the administration of their Village community lands and related affairs and disputes connected thereto and also for the purposes of governance of the rights of their own members as well as the rights to the land/properties  held by members of the public in their private Villages.

The first compilation of usages and customs of the natives of Goa, are found recorded in the Foral or Charter (the Magna Carta) of Affonso Mexia dated 16.9.1526, which throws light on the pre-existence of the Village Communities/Comunidades of Goa, before the arrival of the Portuguese in India. This Foral with reference to the Treaty/pact of 1510, admits the State's obligation to protect the customary laws in existence and defend the properties of the natives and the Gaunkars against any aggression from outside and at the same time acknowledges the acceptance of the annual tributes and taxes to the State Rulers from the natives and the Gaunkars in terms of the existing laws based on such usages and customs for providing such guardianship and protection.

The Code of Comunidades is declared Public Law vide DIPLOMA LEGISLATIVO No. 2070 dated 15.4.1961. By the promulgation of the Legislative Diploma, the State acknowledges/recognizes the independent and autonomous nature of these Private Comunidade Villages of Goa and their private laws developed by usage and customs since times immemorial. Thus the Comunidades and Gaunkars thereof stand declared to be perfect [absolute] owners of the entire land in the respective Comunidade village ab initio having no element of State grant or State Land tenure relationship. Also the Indian Constitutionand the UN Declarationsprovide to protect and safeguard laws of indigenous peoples derived from customs and usages. Only the Gaunkars have the constitutional competency to legislate over the customary laws so recognized by the said Diploma as these private laws of the Gaunkars are not enacted by any State Legislature of any kind at any point time. The present Code is written in Portuguese language and is an improvement over the earlier Code of 1933, doing away with wrong concepts which had crept into the administration of the affairs of the Gaunkars and providing for preventive measures against all possible prejudice and strongly prohibiting the demise and alienation of the land of Comunidades.

Functions
The beauty of the comunidades lies in it's system of adminstration [governance]. A Gaunkar is all powerful and acts as both a care-taker and ruler. Every Gaunkar has a say in the decision making process and takes active part in the day-to-day working of the system keeping vigilance at the same time. All decision taken are through consensus only. Administrators (administradores), attorneys (procuradores), and Clerks (escriturários), form the managing committee of Comunidades. Elections are held once periodically and the elected are allowed to function only for that term and the duration and are not allowed to contest for subsequent elections. Meetings are held often and a General body meeting held once a year. The private meeting/assembly hall of the Gaunkars to deliberate, give opinions, and legislate over their respective Comunidades is called a Chauddi. Every gaunkar/Componente is bound to attend Board and General Body Meetings. The decisions/deliberations or resolutions taken by the General Body by proper quorum on any item or issue, is what is meant by the say of the respective Comunidade. This can only take place by strictly following the procedure on any issue, within the scope and powers of the General Body. It is final, when not contrary to the provisions of the Code or when not set aside in appeal, and becomes res judicata (binding). The Managing Committee cannot substitute the General Body and/or overrule the decision of the General Body. The say of the Attorney or of the Managing Committee is not the say of the Comunidade to bind the respective Comunidade unless supported by the minutes of the appropriate general body meeting, showing deliberations taken supporting the representation.

Every Gaunkar/Component independently is under contractual obligation as that of an agent to Co-Gaunkars/Components to protect and defend the interest of his Gaunkary. Every Gaunkar is duty bound to report all illegalities and irregularities noticed in the Comunidade and has competency to file suits or by any legal means recover any loss, damage or deficit suffered by the Comunidade at the instance of any person (including Administrators, attorneys, clerks, or Government authorities) and also seek indemnity in favour of the Comunidade. The Gaunkars protecting the interests of their Comunidade are entitled to be lawfully reimbursed the cost incurred by them from the coffers of the respective Comunidade.

By 'Extra-ordinary general body meetings', the Comunidade may decide to file suits in appropriate cases in the Courts established by the State, provided, approval to that decision is obtained from the 'Administrative tribunal'. The attorney, in the name of the Comunidade, cannot file suits or come to any agreement or understanding or compromise without the decision of the general body as the attorney has no such powers. The attorney is bound by law to intervene in any proceedings before any authority or Court on behalf of the Comunidade, to protect or defend the interest of the respective Comunidade. It is mandatory for the attorney to prefer appeals and or challenge all adverse orders or judgements against Comunidades before the appellate or higher authorities without the necessity of sanction or approval to that effect from the General Body or the 'Administrative Tribunal'.

The budget and accounts are maintained by clerks on year to year basis. The accounts are closed at the end of the year to arrive at the balance showing thereof outstanding recovery [debtors] as well as outstanding liability [creditors] and indicating the revenue available for disbursement as jono (dividend) or the amount to be contributed by the Gaunkars/Componentes towards meeting the deficit. Any debts, loss or deficit has to be borne by all the Gaunkars/Componentes of the respective Comunidade proportionately, to meet any such eventualities.

The internal audit of all Comunidades is to be conducted by the office of the 'Administrator of Comunidades' after the accounts are examined by the General Body. The external audit is to be carried out by the 'Administrative Tribunal' thereby passing the order confirming the internal audit.

What Mahatma Gandhi had envisioned for local self-governance are the very institutions in the form of Gaunkaris.

Developments
After Portuguese rule ended in Goa in 1961, the village development activities, the preserve of the Communidades or Gaunkaris, are taken over by the gram panchayats. The State Government has assumed control over Comunidades depriving them their right to self-governance. Furthermore the unconstitutional imposition of the 'Agricultural Tenancy Act 1964' by government, extended land ownership rights to the lease holders of the Comunidade clearly violating Article 294 and 295 of the Constitution of India and Article 652 of the Code of Comunidades. This has resulted in most field property of the comunidades passing into private hands, and erosion of the comunidades as a whole. However Comunidades continue functioning despite all odds even though the number of participants in community affairs have declined considerably for reasons obvious. But the Gaunkars are more determined than ever to re-establish the Comunidade system in Goa to its past glory with the help of the constitutional provisionsand the UN Declarations and make Comunidades of Goa a National heritage.

State obligations
The Ex-Portuguese Government was under bilateral Treaty with the Comunidades to give administrative tutelage to Comunidades with respect to the provisions of the Code. The Gaunkars have always considered and accepted the Head of State to be the Supreme Arbitrator to settle all and whatsoever disputes or breach of contract inter alia the Gaunkars or the others as the case may be, by contractual obligations. On change of Government rule after liberation, the State continues to be under constitutional obligation to comply with the duty to provide the same tutelage and respect the 'Code'. The appointment of the Administrators and other staff by the Head of State (Governor) is on account of a contractual obligation of the State since the begining of the Portuguese rule in Goa. The Administrator and other staff of the administration are lawfully bound to give timely assistance and compliance to the provisions of the Code. The State has so far failed to provide administrative tutelage to Comunidades and has committed a breach of obligation. The Gaunkars are subject to pay derrama (in Portuguese, tithes in English) to the State for the tutelage provided. This derrama is coming down from ages when Gaunkars were paying tithes to the then kings or rulers for protection of their interests. This contribution had been accepted by the ex-Portuguese rulers in the form of derrama to render protection to Gaunkars as was the case under the then kings/rulers. The State [includes all organs of the State in terms of Article 12 of the Constitution of India] and its agents, are under fiduciary duty at all times to the Gaunkars.

Goa was declared as a non self-governing territory of the Indian sub-continent during the Portuguese rule. The conquest and annexation of Goa by India was annunciated as illegal by the United Nations as per Chapter 1, Article 1 of the UN Charter. . Also by Article 73e Chapter XI of the UN Charter, the state of Goa has is under obligation to administer the territory of Goa till the peoples attain a full measure of self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and their varying stages of advancement.

The 223 Comunidades of Goa
TISWADI TALUKA (31) Azossim, Bambolim, Batim, Calapur, Caraim, Carambolim, Chimbel, Chorao, Corlim, Cujira, Curca, Ela, Gancim, Gandaulim (comissa), Goa Velha, Goalim-Moula, Goltim, Jua,  Malar,  Mandur,  Mercurim, Morombi-o-grande,  Morombi-o-pequeno,  Murda,  Naroa,  Navelim, Neura-o-grande,  Neura-o-pequeno,  Passo de Ambarim,  Talaulim de Santana, Taleigao.

SALCETE TALUKA (37) Aquem, Benaulim, Betalbatim, Calata, Camorlim, Cana, Carmona, Cavelossim, Cavorim, Chandor, Chinchinim, Colva, Curtorim, Davorlim, Deussua, Dicarpale, Donculim, Dramapur, Gandaulim, Gonsua, Guirdolim,  Loutulim,  Macasana,   Majorda,  Margao,  Nagoa,   Orlim,   Raia,   Sarzora,   Seraulim,   Sernabatim,   Sirlim,  Telaulim,  Utorda,   Vanelim, Varca, Verna.

BARDEZ TALUKA (39) Aldona (2), Anjuna, Arpora, Assagao, Assonora, Bastora, Calangute, Camorlim, Canca, Candolim, Colvale, Corlim, Cunchelim, Guirim, Mapusa, Marna, Marra, Moira, Nachinola, Nadora, Nagoa, Nerul, Olaulim, Oxel, Paliem, Parra, Pilerne, Pirna, Pomburpa, Punola, Revora, Saligao, Sangolda, Siolim, Sirsaim, Serula, Tivim, Ucassaim, Verla.

MORMUGAO TALUKA (14) Arossim, Cansaulim, Chicalim, Chicolna, Cortalim, Cuelim, Dabolim, Issorcim, Mormugao, Pale, Quelossim, Sancoale, Vadem, Velcao.

PONDA TALUKA (28) Adcolna, Bandora, Betora, Betqui, Boma, Borim, Candeapar, Candola, Codar, Conxem, Cuncoliem, Cundaim, Curti, Marcaim, Nirancal, Orgao, Ponchevadi, Priol, Querim, Queula, Siroda, Talaulim, Tiurem, Vadi, Vagurbem, Velinga, Verem, Volvoi.

BICHOLIM TALUKA (23) Advolpale, Amona, Arvalem, Bordem, Bicholim, Cotombi, Cudnem, Dumaxem, Gangem, Latambarcem, Mencurem, Mulgao, Naroa, Navelim, Pale, Piligao, Pissurlem, Sarvona, Sirigao, Surla, Usgao, Vainguinim, Velguem.

PERNEM TALUKA (12) Agarvaro, Alorna, Arambol, Dargalim, Ibrampur, Mandrem, Morgim, Paliem, Pernem, Tuem, Uguem, Virnora.

QUEPEM TALUKA (24) Molcornem, Ambaulim, Assolda, Avedem, Chaifi, Chic-Xelvona, Cotombi, Curchorem, Cusmane, Quepem, Xelvona, Sirvoi, Vodar, Xeldem, Cacora, Provincia de Bali, Quitol, Naqueri, Bali, Adnem, Fatorpa, Quedem, Canvorem, Pirla.

SANGUEM TALUKA (7) Astagrar, Colomba, Curdi, Netrauli, Nunem, Rivona, Zaqui.

CANACONA TALUKA (7) Canacona, Cola, Gaundongrem, Loliem, Nagorcem-Palolem, Poinguinim,  Polem. OTHERS (3) Ambelim, Assolna, and Velim to be re-established.

Additional References

 * Braganza Menezes & others. A India Potuguesa,1923. Nova Goa, Impresa Nacional, vol. II, 1923. p 376.
 * D'souza B.G. Goan Society in Transition, 1975. Popular Prakashan, Bombay.
 * Xavier, P.D. Goa: A Social History (1510-1640), 1993. Rajhauns Vitaran, Panaji.
 * Velinkar, J. Village Communities in Goa and their Evolution, 2000. in Borges et al (eds) page 124-132.
 * Dias, R A D. The socio-economic history of Goa with special reference to the comunidad system(1750-1910), 2004. Thesis submitted to the Goa University.
 * Agrawal, A. Common property institutions and sustainable governance of resources, 2001. World Development 29 (10), 1649–1672.
 * Alvares, C. (ed). Fish Curry and Rice: a sourcebook on Goa, its ecology and life-style, 2002. The Goa Foundation, Mapusa, Goa.
 * Shastry, B.S. ed. Goan Society through the Ages 1987, Asian Publication Services, New Delhi.
 * Newman, Robert S. Traditional Colonial to Bourgeoisie Capital in N.Dantes (ed.) "The Transformation of Goa", 1999. The Other India Press, Mapusa.
 * Correia-Afonso S.J., John. Indo-Portuguese History: Sources and Problems,1981. Oxford University Press, Bombay.
 * Borges, C.J., O.G. Pereira & H. Stubbe (eds). Goa and Portugal: History and Development, 2000. XCHR Studies Series No. 10, Concept Publishing Co., New Delhi.
 * Lawrence Leo. - Nehru seizes Goa, 1963, Pageant Press, NY. Paperback. 1st ed.

News Articles

 * Comunidades: Goa-World.com
 * Special Status: IndiaTimes.com
 * Voice of Gaunkars: GoaPluses.com


 * Demands of Comunidades: Mail-Archive.com
 * Demand for Separate Tribunal: Merinews.com


 * Land Disputes: IndiaTimes.com
 * Death of Commune: IndianExpress.com
 * Task Force Action: IndiaTimes.com
 * Threat to Khazans of Goa: IndiaEnvironmentalPortal.com
 * SEZ's in Goa: Hindu.com
 * Comunidades: GoaSu-Raj.com
 * Goa's Heritage: Goacom.com

Possible info to sort through
In case you don't have time to go through all references provided. Let all Indian wikipedians read this. http://books.google.co.in/books?id=IVDtjzY3r2gC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=status+goa+non+self-governing+territories&source=bl&ots=XgsZhvjrCi&sig=hXi_GSvDXYCydeiuLo7ZA1E_8mg&hl=en&ei=O_qnSuSKNYj6kAX9r-2KCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=&f=false --Gaunkars of Goa (talk) 19:04, 9 September 2009 (UTC)

Don't get too excited, resolution 'not adopted' simply means the people of Goa have the right to self-determination in their sovereign territories. It is yet to be exercised. --Gaunkars of Goa (talk) 03:34, 10 September 2009 (UTC) Yep, as I guessed, you are still not ready to wake up from your dreamland. So this will be my last post. Any more of your rants on Wikipedia and I will proptly revert them without explanation. If you insist on pushing your lick, I will definetely ask for a block. Good luck with your Independence movement

Goa is a territory of the Indian sub-continent (do not mistake as Indian Union), a sovereign self-governing independent territory existing since times immemorial. It existed much before(about 2000 - 3000 years before) the formation of the Indian Union (just formed in 1947). How can India ever lay any claims on Goa, except in her imagination? So when Goa was under Portuguese rule, the United Nations proclaimed the territory as non self-governing. In 1961 India attacked Goa, and annexed it into the Union. The Indian annexation has been termed as illegal by the United Nations in the 987th & 988th meeting of the UN Security Council, http://www.undemocracy.com/S-PV-988.pdf. The people of Goa are yet to exercise their right to self-determination as per UN Charter Article 73e Chapter XI, Goa's legal status will only be determined thereafter. Believe it or not, this is the fact. This is the part of History wikipedia is afraid of, don't ask me why. --Gaunkars of Goa (talk) 17:35, 27 September 2009 (UTC)

1. Is Goa special or deserves mention? 2. If so, what is notable about the situation? 3. Are there references for 2? 4. What are the most important details, if any, about Goa in relation to India?

Number 4 is pertinent to the India article. More detail is appropriate for the Goa article. One example of undue weight is as follows: Anna Nagar is an area of Chennai. Description of Anna Nagar in the India article would be undue weight (at least from what I know of the place). Suomi Finland 2009 (talk) 15:53, 7 October 2009 (UTC)

OK if you insist; Ans 1) Yes, Goa is special and deserves mention, especially the political History of it and its legal status. Ans 2) Its legality as a state of the Indian Union is questionable. The conquest and annexation of Goa by India itself was annunciated as illegal (UN Charter prohibits use of force) by the United Nations in its 988th Council meeting. Majority of the nations rightly demanded to resolve the issue through self-determination of the people. Nehru had also promised the same but he turned out to be a real chameleon and instead attacked Goa. He thought by attacking Goa, India could claim sovereignty over Goa, poor fellow didn't know the meaning of Non self-governing territory & Right to self-determination (Article 73e Chapter XI of the UN Charter). When Portugal conquered Goa in 1510, the Indian Union never existed, it came into being as an Union of States only in 1947, how on earth can it claim sovereignty over Goa? Thus the case of Goa has become a laughing stock in the case studies of International Law.

Also for the Indian Union to make Goa as one of its state, it has to meet the Constitutional obligations, e.g. obtaining Proprietorship Titles from the absolute owners or by signing Land Tenure Contract/Agreements with the absolute owners (in this case, Gaunkars of Goa, and not Portugal). So the treaty signed between Portugal and India as regards transfer of Sovereignty is null and void.

Ans 3) This is not my concept and imagination that is taking shape, this case is well documented and authored by many. Just type combination of relevant keywords in any search engines, you will get a plethora of information. [4]

Ans 4)see Ans 2 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Suomi Finland 2009 (talk • contribs) 18:20, 17 October 2009 (UTC)