August 12th is the death anniversary of Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar. Though Bandodkar may have initially been for merging Goa with Maharashtra, he respected the people’s verdict and later toiled with a vision and passion towards the development of Goa. Unlike many of today’s politicians who are self-centered, he relentlessly raised and pursued issues concerning the backward, down-trodden, and neglected communities of Goa. Leaders of his integrity, honesty and commitment we may now never see in today’s shoddy arena of political pygmies.
Dayanand Bandodkar dared to speak from his heart and always walked the talk. Only a few of such politicians still remain in our midst and will also be always remembered for the good they have done for Goa. About the rest and in particularly some of the current rabid Ministers in power who have been steering and navigating Goa down the tube there will be no obituary to write and no land remaining to even raise a Samadhi, leave alone a statue in their memory. It is imperative that students today in our schools and colleges should be made aware of the very rich and invaluable contribution to Goa by Dayanand Bandodkar who cannot be consigned as our forgotten hero. Dayanand Bandodkar must be rolling in heavenly abode at the way Goa is being uncaringly misgoverned today. As a school student I had the privilege of interacting with Dayanand Bandodkar and recollect with nostalgia witnessing those great debates in the Legislative Assembly and his pointed but witty replies. Today the Goa Legislative assembly has been reduced to a mere uninspiring classroom keeping MLAs speechless. Dayanand Bandodkar as a friend and carer of the poor with a vision laid the foundation of an all round development of Goa which was ably administered with just three Ministers. It is distressing to now see and be witness to the continuing rampant destruction and devastation of Goa. Our State is so sadly by the day just getting further corroded beyond recognition. It should have been the endeveaour of those in power to at least salvage and safeguard what remains of Goa. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com