New Delhi: In a historic milestone, Joseph Pereira, a 78-year-old Christian man of Goan descent, has become the first person from Goa to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019. Pereira, who had migrated to Pakistan before the liberation of Goa, was granted citizenship in a formal ceremony presided over by Goa’s Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Pereira was born in 1946 in Paroda village, in the Salcete taluka of South Goa. His migration to Pakistan took place during a time when Goa was still under Portuguese rule. In Pakistan, he found employment and built a life before returning to India on September 11, 2013. Since then, he has been residing with his family in Cansaulim village in South Goa, patiently awaiting Indian citizenship.
The journey to citizenship was difficult for Pereira, who had applied for Indian citizenship 11 years ago. Despite his Goan origins and being married to a Goan, his application remained unprocessed for years, leaving him in a state of limbo. “I had been praying… I spent days pondering on this subject. I would look at all the files and wonder when I would get citizenship,” Pereira recounted emotionally.
Throughout this period, Pereira had to renew his visa every two years through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The process was arduous, requiring special visas and letters from his wife to justify his stay in India. Pereira expressed his gratitude towards the current government for enacting the CAA, which facilitated his long-awaited citizenship. “I am thankful to the PM and the Union Home Minister for bringing in the CAA. I am grateful to all the government officials for processing my application,” he said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, while handing over the citizenship certificate, remarked, “I am honoured to present the citizenship certificate to Joseph Pereira under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.” He further encouraged other eligible individuals to approach the government for similar assistance.
Mahi Saha
Mahi Saha, from Ranchi, reports for Neo Politico.
