GOA SHOULD BE A PROGRESSIVE STATE by Yogesh Marathe (Goa), Dubai

I am Goan currently working in the Middle East. Came across this website a few days ago, saw some astonishing write ups on the website about Goa. What forced me to write this reply below was the NRP SAGRESS issue, hope this gets published in this website, proving that Niz Goenkar is a fair ground for people with different views.

About NRP Sagres, felt really bad about the kind of abuses thrown at the freedom fighters, don’t mind the politicians being bashed but it was a sorry sight to see the young generation making a mockery of the freedom fighters.

Most of the bloggers seem to be upset about being liberated against will, that’s an interesting fact noticed. I would love to know what there parents and elders would have to say as they might have seen the Portuguese rule.

Some say that the Indian government annexed Goa without opting for Goans views. If it had been the case than it I would have been difficult to imagine Goa as an independent entity in today’s world. Either it may have been a US base to keep a check on India or china, another possibility is that it may have even been used as a base for anti India activities. It may have been an impossible task to maintain the sovereignty of Goa had it been an independent state.

Most of the writers claim that the Portuguese era was the most magnificent chapter in the Goan history which I feel is highly objectionable. Yes, the Portuguese are to be noted for the development work they have done. I personally feel good about the last governor general Mr. Vassalo Silva. I duly note the developments undertaken during his tenure.

But most of the Portuguese period is known for its harshness and the calamity it laid on people. Not to forget the infamous Inquisition that is hotly debated issue even today.

To be frank, the Portuguese had a clear diktat for Goa. Their message for Goans was clear, make merry, cheap booze, cheap food but don’t get into the freedom demand which was the scene for almost 400 years of their rule in Goa. The Portuguese were merciless, ruthless administrators and their acts are well documented in history books not only by local historians but even by foreign travelers who visited Goa during that time.

As in the case of NRP Sagres, the abuses that were thrown at freedom fighters are totally uncalled for, it seems to prove that this people had committed a major mistake by fighting for the freedom cause. I would agree that it’s a big mess now as in terms of who can claim as freedom fighter (as new entries are received every year claming their fight for freedom). About the action of opposing the said ship’s visit, nobody would have raised an opposition if it would have been any other Portuguese ship but this ship is commemorating the 500 years of Afonso Albuquerque’s ruthless crusade, and what you expect to greet them with flowers and bands?

As in regard to colorful send off given to the ship by a handful of people by means of parading in the Vasco streets and waiving flags, one can clearly make out the real deal and vested interest of such thinking may be Portuguese passport (life long dream) I don’t have any personnel grudge against the so called Portugal supporting youth, but one can see that they have been well rewarded with freebies (check the snap with the youth proudly posing, it’s a bar)

Finally it’s very easy to blame the politicians about the mess, Goa is in today but aren’t we at fault for doing so. We get them elected every 5 years; the so called strong voices are the first people to pounce on the opportunity for free booze and food during the election campaigning of such politicians. No state or country is perfect; perfection comes with constant efforts by people like us. There’s no point in playing the blame game anymore, we sell the land to Outsiders, we oppose employment yielding projects in the state, the projects still manage to go ahead and who’s employed? The outsiders.

My final request is that please don’t abuse the Freedom fighters at least to those who are not alive to defend themselves. They didn’t fight for freedom with a motive of any personnel gains, irrespective of religion, caste. They fought for their motherland, our motherland – Goa.