To build strong research culture, Goa must prioritise on boosting original thinking
A few days back, the rustic yet changing village of Virnoda in Pernem taluka played host to an uncommon event. Researchers joined students in a day-long seminar that looked at the crossover points between language, tradition, history and change. It was hosted by Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye Government College, located a little off NH66. It’s easy to miss the service road en route to this impressive college building. That is something also true of the wider reality in today’s Goa too: after spending long decades in building infrastructure, higher education and access (across diverse regions and sections), Goa today also cannot afford to miss the road to build a better understanding of its own past and its present.
On days like these, it is hard not to ponder why a lot more local research doesn’t happen in Goa itself. Our young people are eager and capable. While they may need more space and practice to hone skills, repeated events have shown that when given the chance, local researchers do come up with fairly interesting ideas.
In spaces like these, there’s the chance for many themes to emerge. From topics like folklore, to masked ritual performances in Canacona, dialects of Sattari and Salcete, contemporary Goan tiatr, Romi Konkani in the computer age, the evolution of the tribal movement in Goa, and Grierson and other scholars’ understanding of Konkani. Even if the pundits might not agree on their understanding of the past, or the trajectory of our language and society, and the road ahead, such work adds value to our understanding of society.
There have been other initiatives too, though it’s never enough. By encouraging faculty and students to engage with Goan history, culture and contemporary issues, these projects nurture a sense of place-based academic inquiry. Such efforts demonstrate that young and even rural institutions can act as incubators for socially relevant research, thus bridging classroom learning with local realities. Local research can foster an understanding of Goa’s unique linguistic, ecological and socio-cultural contexts. Left undone, such knowledge is often overlooked in broader national frameworks. Building the research capacity at colleges can also empower young scholars to contribute original work, rather than relying on external or imported studies. It boosts collaboration across disciplines. One can only hope for a greater integration of humanities, sciences and social studies in exploring Goan issues.
But despite positive steps, the scale remains limited. Goa’s higher education ecosystem can gain from prioritising research that informs policy, preserves the local heritage and promotes community development.
For a strong research culture in the social sciences in Goa, a more determined push is needed. Greater institutional support and funding for research beyond basic teaching duties is the need of the hour. So are sustained mentorship and collaboration networks. The greater use of archival material and a rejuvenation of our libraries could make all the difference. (The Goa Library Policy formulated with much efforts is waiting for implementation by the Department of Art and Culture.)
The tendency to depend on studies produced outside Goa needs to be reduced; this could lead to greater locally grounded projects that address Goan society, economy or culture. To build a genuine research culture, Goa must also prioritise not just better funding and facilities but also an ecosystem that values original thinking, publication and critical engagement with local realities.
