One link ties all seven Portuguese nationals in Air India crash — Diu roots

“Many from villages in Diu have taken up citizenship of Portugal and the UK but they remain connected to their roots and make at least one annual visit to meet elders back home or attend weddings and major festivals,” Dinesh Bhanubhai, a panchayat member of Bucharwada, told The Indian Express.

According to officials from the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, the Air India crash brought grief to many families in the region whose members were on “regular visits”. Of the over 50,000 population of Diu, they estimated that at least half the households have members who have taken up Portuguese citizenship or are British nationals.

“Most residents depend on fishing and tourism for their livelihood, and most families have members who have taken up Portuguese citizenship for future prospects. Some of those abroad help in managing local businesses, such as fishing, which is handled by their families back home. Hence, they visit frequently. Youngsters eligible for citizenship continue to aspire to settle in Portugal,” Bhanubhai said.

The unique link in Diu’s history dates back to the 16th century when it became a colony of Portugal until the island joined India in 1961. Portugal, subsequently, allowed those born in its erstwhile “Estado da India” (state of India) to retain Portuguese nationality — an offer that also covered two generations of their descendants.

According to officials, many from the villages of Diu further chose to become British nationals. Once they obtained Portuguese citizenship, they were permitted to stay and work in the UK when the country was part of the EU. And once they stayed for a certain period of time in the UK, they were eligible to seek dual citizenship — a route chosen by several Goans to become British nationals.

Since the crash, several people from villages in Diu have travelled to Ahmedabad to help in the identification of loved ones. On Monday, officials said two bodies were sent to Diu after identification.

The seven Portuguese nationals with links to Diu who lost their lives have been identified as Chandu Baguane, Santubhai Bica, Hemaxi Shantilal, Vanita Kanha, Devji Lachmane, Girish Lalji and R Vassaramo Premgi.

The lone survivor Viswash and his brother Ajay were also on a visit to Diu to also help manage the local fishing business of his family. Ajay died in the crash.