A SALUTE TO the NAVY AND SAO JACINTO ISLANDERS

They will do so again on Independence Day, so August 15 therefore will dawn bright and clear for the State with no shadow of any purported ‘anti-national’ feelings.
Here’s what transpired: as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of Independence, the Ministry of Defence planned to hoist the National Flag for three days in a pan India initiative. It was in relation to this that Navy personnel visited Sao Jacinto island where they met with reluctance from the residents of the island who stressed that this was private land and that it belonged to the traditional fishing community. The residents pledged that they would hoist the National Flag on Independence Day, in the same manner in which they did in earlier years. The Navy accepted this explanation, and their statement on August 13 was clear that the plan to unfurl the National Flag at Sao Jacinto island was cancelled as this was objected to by the residents of the island. They did not force the issue. It could well have ended there, but for some political statements made.
Former Minister Jose Philip D’Souza on August 13 had gone on to warn that the villagers would not remain quiet if the government tried to take over the island. This was stretching the argument to stop the hoisting the flag too far, as a takeover of the island was never part of the plan. It was an irresponsible statement made by the former minister, who is also the president of a political party, Nationalist Congress Party. A day later Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant referred to the opposition to hoisting the National Flag as anti-India activities and warned that it would be dealt with an iron hand.
Were these comments of the political establishment required in this context? Shouldn’t both the politicians have been more guarded in airing their views? As head of government the Chief Minister should have stepped forward to intervene and explain to the people what the programme was and be the mediator. There was no need to take such a strong stand on the issue, that was clearly a ‘misunderstanding’.
It was the Navy that approached the residents of the island again the next day on August 14 and explained the nature of the programme to them, which was accepted by the people and the flag was hoisted by the people of the island and the Navy personnel in the most amicable of manner. In this the Navy displayed a lot of tact and maturity and so did the islanders who accepted the explanation of the Navy personnel, while the political establishment did not show any such understanding of the situation and make efforts in finding a solution.
The issue got settled within less than 24 hours without further escalation and it is all thanks to the Navy and the residents of Sao Jacinto. To make it clear, the islanders were not being anti-National they were just caught unawares, so let’s not label them as such. This episode shows how a little dialogue can clear misunderstandings. Goa needs more of such conversations between the elected and the electors. There are many issues that can be resolved with dialogue. Why not start some of it now? It could be a good initiative this Independence Day for the government and the people to resolve to discuss more on issues and find amicable solutions.
Happy 75th Independence Day!