This is not news. However, it must be mentioned here because we believe that we have to show how capable we are to ‘attempt lunacy’ given half a chance. Well, when attention-seekers don’t find themselves on media, they stoop to never-before-imagined levels of stupidity to grab any kind of attention that comes in its way. No, issues are not important to them, only publicity is. They would try every trick, tomfoolery, in the book to gatecrash into public memory to make sure that they exist in this planet. Their existences, however wretched it might be, are still existences and people must know. So folks, you have it here in the form of this blog.



The story goes like this - Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and an obscure group of freedom fighters called Desh Premi Nagrik Samiti (DPNS) have joined hands to disturb and vandalize a cultural festival held by a quiet Latin quarter of Panjim called Fontainhas. The festival known as the Fontainhas Festival of the Arts promotes the Portuguese heritage of Goa. This festival is promoted every year by Panjim’s municipal corporation and Goa Heritage Action Group.



The RSS & the DPNS have found this was particularly offensive to the sentiments of nationalists and ’sentinels of cultural freedom of India’. Why? Because Goa was ruled through oppression by the Portuguese and Fontainhas has a distinct Iberian mark to it as the residents are descendents of Portuguese settlers who live in inherited properties that looks distinctly European.



The Portuguese undoubtedly squandered and plundered the wealth of Goa, ruled barbarically and were true oppressors. But they have been long booted away and Goa attained complete freedom and merged with India voluntarily. That was ages back. Why is the ruckus now? What’s wrong in the Fontainhas’ residents to desire preserve the Portuguese culture & heritage that has nothing whatsoever against India. No, they are not taking upon our self-respect as a sovereign nation; they are as much Indians as RSS and DPNS if not more.



In fact, if you try telling them that ‘Indian Culture’ is nothing but a great collection of diverse cultures from all over the world. This is one of the major reasons why we are the greatest nation in the world. Snuffing out one culture will only diminish our great culture. If at all anyone is hurting the Indian culture it is them; groups like RSS and DPNS.



But then, sensible talk is nonsense to people without brains.



Like Valentine’s Day and the Fontainhas Festival of the Art today. The Urs festival may come next (who knows?) or for that matter next in line could be holding of masses during Christmas (after all missionaries brought this tradition in India) or the celebrations of Chinese new years and other festivals in China Town, Kolkata or Anglo-Indians may be forced to change their way of living because I am sure they won’t give up attempting weirder ‘revolutions’ or should I say attempt lunacy as I mentioned before.



Goodness Heavens! They were not successful before (as in the case of Valentine’s Day or US fast foods) and they won’t be in the future as well (hopefully). Otherwise, there would be nothing called Indian Culture.



If at all there is any threat to Indian self-respect or culture, it is nowhere but from groups like the RSS and DPNS. RSS is nothing but a nationalist [sic] militant group.