Thanks for the clarification.
Slzatzer, as a Konkani-Hindu whose ancestral temples continue to stand in Panaji and Ponda, I most certainly do not identify as “Goan” nor do I, or any other Konkani person I know, many who lived in Goa under Portugese rule (including my parents), believe Goa should be an independent state. No doubt there was a ruling Anglo-Portugese class that enjoyed being under the thumb of colonialists but to paint all of us who have our roots in Konkan as being Pro-Portugese or Pro-Independence is pretty outrageous. My grandfather was very active in the Indian independence movement, even getting jailed and beaten up for his views-he most certainly did not envision the occupied portion of the country from which he originated as being separate from India as a whole. When I tell people where I’m from I always say “Indian” and when asked specifically either Konkani-Marathi or Marathi (Konkani being too obscure a concept even for some Indians), never “Goan not Indian.”
But that’s a Chinese dish! 
What’s it doing in an Indian. Or were they triangular? If so, they would have been pakoras.
Re: spring rolls
I wondered about that myself. Also, there was a lot of beef on the menu. The menu actually said, “A fusion of flavors from India”, so I guess that was the fusion part.
I ask a friend of mine about an Indian restaurant here several years ago.
“They have beef so they aren’t Hindi, they serve liquor so I presume they aren’t Muslim.”
My friend grimaced, “They are probably Christian.”
Well, Goa was offered independance, in 1961, and the Indian army did invade and kill people (that’s a fact). A lot of people were too scared to assert themselves and demand the promised referendum and as a result the Indians were unopposed despite a ruling from the UN in favour of self-determination. The Indian government then encouraged immigration and land grabs putting paid to any hope of an independant Goa for anyone.
Yeah, by switching from being ‘under the thumb’ of Portugal to being ‘under the thumb’ of India wasn’t exactly a good deal for Goans of any persuasion.
All that being said, I know why we have totally different outlooks (you’re Hindu, I was raised RC). I apologise if my earlier comments pissed you off, it wasn’t intentional, although I do resent the tone of your correction.
The Goan community is large, especially in London and I think in Toronto as well as a huge population in Brazil, and we do identify ourselves as Goan and not Indian.
Why did he grimace?
He is Hindi, so he many have been distressed at beef being served, or someone becoming Christian, or he just may have been amused. I am obviously ignorant of the subjects involved and didn’t pursue that part of the conversation.
Nitpick- it’s Hindu, not Hindi. Hindi is a language, Hindu is the religion.
I imagine there are some less-than-observant Hindus and Muslims who might run a restaurant that served things forbidden by that religion, just like there are some less-than-observant Jews who run non-kosher restaurants.
Thanks. My error comes from hearing his American wife saying he waa Hindi. I probably misunderstood her.
On the other hand, it may have been a typo.
[Hijack] Why is being under the thumb of India a bad deal for Goans, exactly?!
And FTR, I have plenty of anglo goan friends, some very close, and I’ve never, ever heard any of them (or their respective families who live in Goa) offer the views you just did. Maybe yours is a predominantly expat anglo goan view?
This is a misrepresentation. I’d say about 98% of Muslim-run “Indian” restaurants over here server liquor. The only “Indian” I’ve ever been into where alcohol was not sold was a fantastically good strict vegetarian Bel Puri house in Euston, London that was run by fundie Hindus, but even they allowed you to bring your own booze.
Thanks!
Being given the choice between self-determination and being ruled from afar… I don’t see how that might be seen as anything but good (wasn’t that one of Ghandi’s arguments for an independant India?).
Maybe that’s what it is. It’s not like anyone I know is sending money, arms or even support to any groups… it’s more of an opinion that it could have been much much better for Goans if they had been given the opportunity for self-rule that the UN thought that they should have had. It’s more of a recognition of the history and culture of Goa than anything (which is what started this whole sorry argument).
Oh, and I’m only Anglo-Goan because my mother was English, my father’s family is just Goan, not Anglo-Goan. I don’t have anything against India, I have family in Mumbai and friends in New Delhi and my half-sister is Indian.