The piece appeared in the Times of India on May 29, 1966. There is a lot to learn in this piece for politician, clergy and the common man. I doubt very much whether anyone writes in such an open manner for the ToI anymore. There are also a number of critical analogies that one can make through this text with the situation in Goa today. Also do not miss the tiny bit about "model state." Then weep a little -- it will help to clear sinuses and minds.
This is also a nod to the Times of India, and lovers of the ToI (although now, it pretty much pg 3 squared many times over) as Goans attempt to figure out its intentions and interest towards Goa. A Leader with a regal men by Pollux As a campaigner, Dr. Jack de Sequeira, the United Goans leader, can be ruthless. On the political battlefield he is known to be fearless. In his public utterances, he has acquired the reputation of being brutally frank. And yet, even his opponents in politics will concede that he is a thoroughly likable person. That is because he does not allow his political prejudices to degenerate into personal attacks. He likes to hit hard at his adversaries but he also respects those who give him a good fight. Day in and day out, he ridicules the leaders of the ruling party in Goa. And in return, when he earns their wrath and is attacked, he does not pull a long face. He has an infinite capacity to laugh at his own and others' foibles. "Once I used to play tennis. Now I am playing politics.. I like it better," said the man with the flowing beard and the regal mien. Dr. Sequeira is fighting for a cause which is dear to his heart. He speaks louder because he is in a great hurry to be heard. Some say he has a tendency to exaggerate but that is apparently a part of the posture. Being in the Opposition in Goa he fears that unless he talks loud enough his case might go by default. Dr. Sequeira and his party, the United Goans, are champions of a full-fledged statehood for Goa. He is opposed to Goa merging its identity with any other State. Now he has come out with a new idea. He wants the formation of Goa State as a precursor to a "Konkan State" -- stretching from Malwan to Mangalore. At the AICC session in Bombay, he was quite a conspicuous figure. He whispered in my ear, "I think I have won the battle." He said he has impressed upon the leaders that the question of deciding the status of Goa could not, under any circumstances, be decided through an election. If the people had to be consulted on this issue the only way out was a referendum. "Call it an opinion poll or a consultation poll or anything you like but ask the people only one question: statehood or merger? That will give a clear picture," he said, dramatically thumping the table. For one who has his entire education in Portuguese, Dr. Sequeira speaks amazingly good English. Wrapping his beard around his hand, he fell into a reverie telling me about his childhood when his father took pains to tutor him in English. "He was a staunch nationalist." said Dr. Sequeira about his father. "He spoke a number of Indian languages....and having been brought up under his guidance I could never stomach foreign domination.." The youngest in the family Dr. Sequeira studied at the Lyceum and later at the medical school. He became a medical graduate at the age of 21 and was just getting ready to take up blood research when his father died. Giving up the lure of medical practice he took his father's prosperous business. It was after Goa's liberation that Dr. Sequeira plunged into politics. In May 1962 he formed a party called "Goencho Paksh" [sic Goycho Pokx/Goencho Pokx]. A year later he founded the present party which came into being after merging with five other parties working for the same objective -- statehood for Goa. "So much has to be done in Goa...so much has to be done," he sighed getting into the belligerent mood that suits him so well. "If I can get Goa to run for five years I will make it a model state and from that start we will go into a larger Konkan State." I had to remind him he was not addressing a public rally. The doctor liked the joke. His ringing laughter followed me as I stepped out of his room. (Times of India on May 29, 1966) __________________________________ venantius
