One of the major reasons of our sufferings in Goa since 19thDecember 1961 from the successive State Governments in providing good governance was the silence of the Freedom Fighters over the mischief played by our politicians. While admiring all the genuine freedom fighters who genuinely worked and suffered physically for the sake of Goa, I disagree with their silence over what misgovernance given by all the successive governments in Goa. If they had to indicate at least half the might of what they indicated to the Poruguese, they would succeed in doing something good for Goa. Their voice and action have got more power and when they speak even Delhi listens. They are a powerhouse by virtue of being Freedom Fighters.
There were so many movements done in Goa to preserve Goan identity but they as a powerful group refrained from lending their support openly and loudly. This gave an impression that they had no vision for post liberation Goa. Throwing out Portuguese from Goa was not enough but after Portuguese ousted what is the fate of Goa? As freedom fighters they had greater responsibility to protect Goa and the interest of Goans but in this mission they failed miserably. If necessary, as a mark of protest, they should have been ready to surrender their Tamrapatras and even Pensions instead of seeing Goa going to this ebb due to politicians’ hara-kiri on Goa.
But instead two of the renowned freedom fighters, namely Lambert Mascharenhas and Prabakar Sinari, to show their disgust over the current disgusting Goa, vomited their displeasure in harsh terms. Mascharenhas wrote a book “THE GREATER TRAGEDY” where he indicated his disgust over liberated Goa and later on he even made an open statement saying “he preferred the Goa of the Portuguez days”.
Prabakhar Sinari a brave teenager then joined “Azad Gomantak Dal” the only organization that believed in and used arms to end the Portuguez rule in Goa. Some of them including Prabakar Sinari paid for their actions by serving time in jail. Daring as he was, made good his escape in a dramatic second attempt!
This same Prabakhar Sinari now laments in an article “Quo Vadis Goa” published in the local daily, The Nawhind Times. Among other observation in his article, he says:
1. Looking at the liberated Goa, 54 years after the Portuguese left our shores, the sons of the soil are the ones who have been left high and dry. It is therefore not surprising that they chose to leave Goa most of them permanently.
2. Look at the very things are being allowed here, Goa is on the verge of losing its identity. In fact, Goa has already lost on many counts.
3. As a matter of fact, this development by permitting major change in demography, raises a pertinent question in the minds of all surviving freedom fighters including me:
“Is this Goa for which we made so many sacrifices?”
While the above 2 Freedom Fighters expressed their disgust over the so called liberated Goa, the rest of them it looks are oblivious of what is happening in Goa, it looks they are least bothered to take note of the ugly happenings in Goa, they look content with the doles and privileges they get from the Government. They and all of them must know one thing that they have failed Goa and Goans at the very critical time.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel:7507394349.