Goa Opinion Poll/referendum
It is the victory of the opinion poll that has protected the identity of Goa. The MGP by its very nomenclature, which remains unchanged up to date, its philosophy and policy, was to merge Goa into Maharashtra. MGP had myopic view about the intended benefit that would accrue to the liberated Goa. Goan masses by and large after liberation were new to the democratic process and were lead by new leaders, in whom they reposed their absolute trust . It was the unpleasant ,personal experience of their MGP leader, how he was accommodated in a dormitory and treated lightly, when he went for a discussion on merger issue. This incident rattled him seriously, but the previous commitment could not be abandoned all the same. Hence they worked vigorously to fulfill their promises to the voters. The United Goans party was split right down the middle on the issue of opinion poll, which was untested approach to settle the separate identity .Dr Loyola and others felt that a fresh problem would arise later about separate state and hence the opinion poll should address issue of separate state and taking such a risk was suicidal in the opinion of Dr Loyola. History showed that his wisdom was correct, as Goans had to fight once again for a separate state and then the language and that took many more years. The Rising sun party was the offshoot of the differences and disagreement on the poll .If we lost the opinion poll, it would have been a monumental disastrous blunder in history, with no opportunity for rethink. Besides Jawaharlal Nehru had solemnly assured to maintain the separate identity of Goa. Many politicians have been turn coats changing parties for personal benefits, even ditching the parent MGP in their new avatar. They are enjoying the fruits and position and power to day, only because the opinion poll was fortunately a success. Many a unsung hero fought a tough battle to win the poll, Dr Jack Sequeira and others thus became the proponents of opinion poll and later came to be designated as the father of the opinion poll. Every one irrespective of their difference on opinion poll worked diligently for its success. The protests against large number of deputationists from Maharashtra also antagonized the Goans and galvanised them against the official intruders. .The role of Sabu Dessai from Cuncolim with his joyti , who single handily, dared courageously to enter the heartland and bastion of MGP stronghold and thus created a tremendous impact demolishing religious barriers. The voters in the South Goa and Daman and Diu tilted the balance. It is wrong to attribute the success of the poll to any religious or linguistic minority. The enthusiasm of faring every eligible voter, sick and paralysed to the booth was a selfless, determined effort and so also vigilance in guarding rigorously any attempt at the bogus voting. It is ludicrous and pitiful that those who were not even born, or had any role or participated in this movement seem to wax eloquent on the success of the poll. Our present leaders, who had very little to contribute themselves personally due to their age are speaking shamelessly with unlimited authority. Those who fought against separate identity or indirectly worked for merger are today assume the role of saviours of Goan identity and enjoying the fruits of labour of others The opinion poll should have been be a day of celebration at the State level and not merely confined to the organising functions by the Congress party alone Referendum took place on 16-01-1967. It should have been reflected into History books and audio visual aids for the awareness, knowledge of the youth. Unfortunately the Congress, when in saddle never thought of it seriously, to claim now, support installing of statue of Dr Sequeira and it is hypocritical The congress has lost precious years to make their point in favour, The GFP is taking itself forward capitalizing on the emotive issue .Their support now is not lost on Goans , When out of power the Congress stalwarts expect the present Govt, to give due importance to significance of the opinion poll. The BJP is an piquant situation having to lean heavily on the shoulders of GFP, calling the shots. The complete ignoring of the historical significance of O.P by the Congress was in bad taste, Congress when in power could not even raise an official monument to the memory of Dr Jack Sequeira, whom they adore and glorify, as the father of opinion poll, merely for political mileage. They have not progressed in 51 years beyond celebrations, which they took to the constituencies, for the first time to spread awareness. It is only some private individual efforts that immortalise the memory and contribution of Dr Sequeira. The present politicians in and out of power must realise that it is the success of opinion poll, which enables them to enjoy the fruits of being Goa a separate state, for which their personal contribution is absolutely Nil. Goa is what it is to day by the virtue of being a State and the fastest developing state among the states of India. The politicians find the issue of language, script and medium of instructions to divide the people to keep alive their political ambitions intact and safe Celebration of opinion poll on 16 January on every year a significant move coinciding with the celebration of Feast of St Joseph Vaz ,patron saint of Goa Nelson Lopes Chinchinim