The Calangute Panchayat and its strong man Joseph Sequeira deserved highest compliments for erecting at Calangute the first statue of the late Dr. Jack Sequeira in Goa. This was the fitting tribute to the great work Dr. Sequeira put in to get victory for Goans in the Opinion Poll and precisely because of his enormous efforts and leadership he is rightly called the Father of Opinion Poll.
In Candolim there is one Vaddo known as Pintos Vaddo where from came the renowned revolutionaries, the “Pintos” who though failed ultimately in their goal to oust the Portuguese rule from Goa thru their revolt known in the history as the “Pintos Revolution” yet they sent a strong signal to the colonialists that their rule over Goa is not tolerated. This Pintos Revolution was led by the Catholic Priests and it took place 2 years before the French Revolution. One of the priests Abade Faria who was implicated as a distant party to this revolution from Portugal, left Portugal in time to avoid suspicion against him while some of his colleagues including prominent Catholic priests were arrested in Goa, tortured and hanged in and around Panjim. From here it should be noted that the first revolutionists against Portuguese colonialists were none other than the Christians and that too the Catholic Priests.
From Portugal to be on the safer side, Faria moved on to France where he came in contact with some of the renowned French revolutionaries whom Faria divulged all the facts of the Pintos revolution in Goa. Buoyed by this news, the French revolutionaries devised their strategy and embarked on their revolution which came only after the Goa’s Pintos revolution. The great French revolution was inspired by the Goan Pintos Revolt against Portugese regime in Goa.
The name Abade Faria is no doubt a history yet it is a living history and as such it should be kept alive for the posterity to know its greatness. Abade Faria is known all over the world and Goa is fortunate enough to give birth to this great man. It is a great honour for a small Goa to produce such a big world renowned Hypnotist. It is also a great honour for a tiny Pintos Vaddo in Candolim to give birth to such a mighty world famous personality. The Pintos Vaddo in Candoim carry the unique distinction of giving birth to this great genius whose house where he was born is kept alive. No doubt, now since it is under the custody of Goa government where orphan boys are housed there yet it should be converted into a great Museum of Abade Faria to attract intellectuals from all around the globe seeking more knowledge of Abade Faria.
In Candolim many times I met some globetrotting tourists who were inquisitive to know more of Pintos and Abade Faria. Worldwide intellectual giants are more interested in knowing more of world famous Abade Faria than the locals and insiders.
It is said “Prophets are not adored in their locality” and precisely because of this nobody in Candolim thought of erecting a Statue of Abade Faria on the main road opposite to his house or opposite to Bosio Hospital where there is nice location. Candolim Panchayat should have taken up this task long time back but it failed inspite of having one of the long time Sarpanchas as an educationist. For Candolim Panchayat to erect this monument financewise is not difficult, only the will to go ahead is required. Candolim Panchayat is a rich Panchayat and as such it can easily erect this Statue.
If Calangute Panchayat can erect the Monument of Dr. Jack Sequeira in Calangute then I am sure the Candolim Panchayat can very easily erect the Monument of the son of the soil, Abade Faria in Candolim.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.