When the Portuguese conquered Goa (geographical size not as of today) on St Catherine's Feast Day 25th November, 1510 defeating Adil Shah of Bijapur (their first unsuccessful mission was in March 1510) to satiate their desire for spices - trade from Goa , little did one expect that they would last for 451 years.
Conquering first the Old Conquests of Ilhas (Tiswadi) Salcete Mormugao Bardez by 1543 and then the New Conquests of Canacona, Intruz mahal (Ponda) Sanguem Quepem Bicholim Pernem Sattari ( Daman and Diu now ceded from State of Goa. With that a new culture evolved --- a fusion of East and West. No one can deny that this fusion brought about a new identity to Goa, and Goans an identity which is unique and respected the world over. There is no doubt that history of Portuguese in India is replete with one of the worst human genocide the Inquisition from 1540 and the latter day dictatorial rule of Dr Salazar from 1932 to 1974, suppression of Concanim (Konkani) Roman script etc by our erstwhile rulers. That Catholics in Goa are Hindu converts no one denies. That some of the Churches (notably Church of the Holy Spirit in Margao to name a few ) which stand today are built after the destruction of Hindu temples by the Portuguese. But all this is history and it is pointless raking up controversies if a nation has to progress. Look what the demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6th December, 1992 has done . But on the good side there were several fruits introduced in Goa from Portugal the Civil Laws which every Goan takes benefit of -- notably the "communion of assets" the devolution of property . In fact it is for this unique identity of Goa and Goans that Indians of all shades make it a MUST visit destination, to have a feel of the east west fusion.in our 25th tiny state of India ( fromed in 30th May 1987) Now that the Indo Portuguese treaty has been signed on 31.12.1974 after a democratic government came to power in Portugal and relations have improved on all fronts besides visits of leaders like Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr Murli Manohar Joshi Mr Eduardo Faleiro, Mr Francisco Sardinha to Portugal a leading power in the European Union.have set historical facts in limbo Therefore when the sail training ship *Sagres* on its round the world voyage for among other mission - commemorationof the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese arrival to the Far East they had in store - noble plans keeping it open for the public - to witness one of the tall ships in the world - enjoy the cusine - learn more about its culture. Therefore given the above reality it was expected that the Govt of Goa who were hosts to the inmates of the vessel when it docked at the Mormugao Harbour Goa ought to have reciprocated the good will mission. The first day of its arrival on 12th November, 2010 Friday and 13th November, 2010 were days when the public got to visit the ship and even in an unfriendly terrain ( the port handles cargo like ore carbon aluminium etc ) .From the headland one could see the majestic sail ship and children who were on Dipawali the festival of lights in India got a rare opportunity to visit the ship. There will always be elements who register their protest just as some would jump head over heels to get a handshake of the American President (they did it to Barrack Obama ). this speaks volumes for the freedom of speech and expressions Indians enjoy in the worlds second largest populated country. So if the some freedom fighters and some members of the right wing hindu fundamentalist party the Bharatiya Janata Party register their protest the visit of the ship to Goa ( P.S there is no resolution passed by either the Goa Freedom Fighters Association in Goa or the BJP Goa unit as confirmed by this writer to this effect ) there is nothing wrong to provide them a sterile area near the Port to do so. But none of the above protestes could threaten the public from visiting the vessel to force them to succumb to their views.. The law enforcing authorities ought to safeguard the public when there is an apprehension that the public life and property would be endangered. However what is indeed a shameful act and calls for condemnation which one hopes that the Portuguese Consulate in India should record in writing is the last minute skipping by the Governor of Goa and the Chief Minister of Goa from the dinner reception on the vessel . The Ministry of External Affairs should take note of this faux pas commited by the Head of State and CEO of Goa; which was definitely in bad taste, and does not befit Goan culture or hospitality. . When this writer visited the ship on 15th November, 2010 evening and interacted with some cadets and Mr Orvalho Coelho Sargeant of Logistics "Sagres" they claimed to have been ignorant of the protests outside but did read some of it in the local dailies. After a brief exchange of pleasantaries in Portuguese and English and a rendezvous of the ship some literature on the ship and a photo shoot for their website it was indeed a memorable commemoration of the Portuguese arrival in Goa days ahead of the 500 years of celebration. They were enthused by the response of the public . It was a rude Commandant of Central Industrial Security Force who is believed to play spoil sport in preventing several visitors on the vessel on 15th November, 2010 -- this writer tried to contact him on telephone but was out of reach. The Traffic Manager to could not cite reasons for the refusal of entry to public and this too when the newspapers clearly announced that the public would be permitted on the vessel. To annul this unsavoury treat from the Government it must be said to the credit of the fishing community who armed with brass band music and shoal of fishing vessels serenaded the SAGRES and its cadets beyond the break waters to a roving good bye. Let it be clear to the Government of Goa that as we enter the 50th Anniversary of the departure of the Portugese from Goa there are more and more people in Goa who cherish those good old days-- a trend of the things to come is evident from the fact that there are more and more people who are learning to speak Portuguese, there are more seekers for Portuguese passports there is greater enthusiasm shown in Mando festivals the Republic day floats in New Delhi evokes such a strong emotive appeal from the audience -- that despite efforts of many to negate or the suppress the East West culture they are only revealing their hypocritic ways, while discreetly enjoying the goodies of the erstwhile Portuguese rule in 451 years. This writer has appealed to the Union Minisitry of Tourism and the Ministry of Railways to conduct a round robin trip - from Goa to Anjediva Island (near Karnataka ) Calicut (Kozikhode) Kappad Beach in Kerala - Cochin where the navigator Vasco da Gama set foot since 1498 as we celebrate Indo Portuguese relations -- during 500th year of their advent to India and later 50th year of their departure from Goa India. This is the desire of Goans that this writer has interacted to collate their views on the ill treatment meted out by some and the Govt of Goa to the visiting dignitaries. GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [email protected]
