Flashback: The Goans in Pakistan
Goans contributed significantly to the development of the town and other areas that became Pakistan
August 27, 2014
Around 1900, a young bachelor named Celeriano deSouza, my grandfather, migrated for better economic opportunities from the Portuguese colony of Goa to the British colony India’s newest town, Karachi (population at that time:16,000). The Goans contributed significantly to the development of the town and other areas that became Pakistan, in schools, hospitals, professional services, judiciary, and public and government service. Manuel Misquita, a Goan, was Mayor of Karachi 1945 to 1946. Here, my grandfather is pictured in 1902 (in a suit, third from left) at a community picnic at Pir Mango (Manghopir) on the outskirts of Karachi.
PHOTO: ROLAND DESOUZA
CONCEPT: SANAM MAHER
DESIGN: SAMRA AMIR
This August, The Express Tribune will feature photographs from contributions to an open call for images from the struggle for independence and Pakistan’s formative years.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2014.
With due respect, Huma must be from the new generation of people living in Karachi or must have come from another city of Pakistan, maybe 20 years ago. Goans, mainly lived in Saddar, Catholic Colony 1 & 2 (Near Quaid's Masoleum) and Husain-DSilva Town (Nazimabad). Unfotunately, many families have migrated. Those people who have studied in Christian schools or know about its existence in Karachi will have seen Goans.
I have lived all of my life in Karachi but never have seen a Goan. ET should provide some figures of this community with this pic.
Karachi was then a small town with a small population. Now it is a bustling metropolis of millions of people, of dozens of ethnicities and backgrounds, with a GDP of about $75 billion. Proud Karachiite.