The day heralding the Liberation of Goa, Daman & Diu --
Dec. 19, 1961 -- all the Freedom Fighters languishing in Aguada Jail were
released in one go. Among them, was the late Madhu Limaye, a socialist,
disciple of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, who in later years emerged as an outstanding
Parliamentarian. He, along with a few others, including an eminent Goan, Mr
Alvaro Pereira (proud owner of Goa Farm Products near Azad Maidan, Panjim),
upon release from jail were guests of honour at our ancestral house at Mala
Fontainhas for lunch. Knowing that Madhu Limaye was a Chitpawan Brahmin hailing
from Pune – and a pure vegetarian at that – my brother had asked the oldies in
the house to prepare typical Goan vegetarian food varieties for the guest.
While all others were feasting on nonvegetarian items, the late Madhu Limaye,
pointing at my plate, inquired as to why “Bangdeachem Sukem” (Mackarel Shak
Shak) was not being served to him. Limaye disclosed that every weekend,
Alvaro’s mother used to visit the jail carrying head load preparations of
nonveg food and then, it was feast time for all the jailmates. Later, Limaye relished
the Mackarel Shak Shak to his heart’s content.
Post Liberation, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru made his first
official visit to Goa as the Prime Minister in April 1962. He was put up at
Hotel Mandovi, the only hotel of repute in the capital city. I was enjoying my
holidays after answering the first ever SSC Board Exam held in Goa in the
liberated atmosphere in March 1962. All enthusiastic youngsters including
myself had gathered in front of Hotel Mandovi to have a glimpse of Pandit
Nehru. Believe it or not, we were freely allowed to shake hands with Panditji
on the footpath beneath the hotel.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee headed by the late
Purushottam Kakodkar, had organised the first public meeting of the Prime
Minister at Campal grounds to herald the successful integration of Goa and the
overland pockets of Daman & Diu, with Mother India. It is another matter
that within a year in 1963, the Congress Party bit the dust in the first
elections to the 30- member Legislative Assembly of Goa, Daman & Diu. The
unbelievable outcome of the Poll prompted Panditji to sarcastically comment
that “Goa Ke lok ajab hain”, as he honestly felt that having bestowed freedom,
the people of Goa were duty bound to entrust the reigns of power to the
Congress Party. But alas!, it was not to be
After the unfortunate assassination of Indira Gandhi, the
security for the Prime Minister has been so tightened that today the occupant
of this highest executive office in the country has practically become
inaccessible to the public at large.
The late Rajiv Gandhi who succeeded his mother as Prime
Minister was invited to Goa to usher in Goa Statehood on May 30, 1987. While in
Goa, a special cruise on Santa Monica was organised. As the end of the cultural
programme, which culminated with “Corredinho” Rajiv rose from his sofa seat to
congratulate the performing artistes. The SPG personnel seated behind also
stood up. Myself and the late DySP FA Moraes were standing behind the SPG.
Unfortunately for Moraes, the baton under his arm touched one of the SPG
personnel from behind. Without even bothering to see who he was the concerned
SPG threw down the DySP on the deck floor. Such is the misuse and abuse of
authority often displayed.