Looks like both of you are arguing from different perspectives -- Samir from the viewpoint of pan-India nationalism, and Selma from the perspective of a post-colonial Goan Catholic, if there is such a perspective (taking some liberties in using labels here).
While the tendency might be to prove "our" own side right, it seems that each one is valid in their own way. It's just that we're choosing different points of view from which to judge the half-empty, half-full glass of water! Incidentally, Lohia was less a Gandhian and more socialist (of the Congress Socialist Party-Socialist Party-Praja Socialist Party-Kisan Majdoor Praja Party variety, not the more radical Left, which was then the pro-Soviet CPI). He was influenced by Gandhi in his younger days, and wrote his PhD on the salt satyagraha. His dad was a Gandhian though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Manohar_Lohia This is what the Wikipedia says about him, and again facts are subject to interpretation (and sometimes distortion): QUOTE Lohia was captured in May 1944, in Bombay. Lohia was taken to a notorious prison in Lahore, where it is alleged that he underwent extreme torture. His health was destroyed but even though he was never as fit his courage and willpower strengthened through the ordeal. Under Gandhiji's pressure the Government released Lohia and his comrade Jayaprakash Narayan. Following his release, Lohia decided to vacation with a friend in Goa. Once there, Lohia was alarmed to learn that the Portuguese government had introduced new curbs on the people's freedom of speech and assembly. He decided to deliver a speech to oppose the policy but was arrested even before he could reach the meeting location. The publicity served to force the Portuguese government to relent and it allowed the people the right to assemble. The Goan people weaved Lohia's tale of unselfish work for Goa in their folk songs. ENDQUOTE 2009/6/22 Carvalho <[email protected]> > --- On Mon, 6/22/09, Samir Kelekar <[email protected]> wrote: > > For the topic in question, how does it matter where Lohia > > was born, > > assuming he was born in UP ? > > Lohia was an Indian first and last. > --------------------------------------------- > Yes, it matters, very much where Lohia was from and who exactly Lohia was. > By the time he arrived in Goa, Lohia was already a national figure, > closely associated with the Gandhian movement. > It was imperative that the "liberation" of Goa be seen by the > world as an Indian nationalist movement, that it was in the > eyes of the world linked to freedom fighters who had led the > charge in India. Hence, we celebrate 18th June as liberation > day and have 18th June Road as the main artery of Goa. > Let us not be naive as to how history is constructed > and who it is constructed by.... -- FN * http://fredericknoronha.wordpress.com http://twitter.com/fn M +91-9822122436 P +91-832-2409490 http://fredericknoronha.multiply.com/ http://goa1556.goa-india.org "Everyone has a plan until you get hit." - Mike Tyson
