The tiny state of Goa, once an overseas territory of Portugal was all overjoyed and excited to welcome His Excellency Dr Marcelo Rebelo de Souza, the President of the Portuguese Republic for his two days visit to Goa where in a series of agreements and Memorandums of Understandings were inked between Goa and Portugal.
For Goans in general, Portugal and Goa is no different. In fact they are both Goans and Portuguese. The indelible mark which the Portuguese left on Goa during their 450 years of sincere and dedicated governance truly manifests in the development of Goa which still today stands testimony, the culture, the human values, the religion, the gastronomy and above all the Portuguese language, spoken by a large segment of the Goan populace is reminiscent in the love, affection and respect which Goans and the Portuguese have for each other.
The grand reception hosted in honour of the President at the “Laranja” hall of Hotel Cidade de Goa overlooking the Arabian Sea on Sunday at noon witnessed a large Goan attendance. It was truly a Latin ambience with most of them conversing in the language of their forefathers (Portuguese) and less of English.
Upon the arrival, the President was welcomed with a standing ovation with a long thunderous applause, followed by the pre-recorded national anthem of both India and of Portugal. Almost everybody in the hall besides singing the ‘Jana Gana Mana’ also enthusiastically sang “Heróis do Mar” with all that feeling and delight. It was an excellent opportunity for many to sing it after decades bringing back surely the fond memories of the yesteryears and to a certain extent to overcome the nostalgic reminisces of the pre-1961 era (matar as saudades). Accompanied with the President on the slightly elevated stage at the “Laranja” flanked by the national flags of both the countries, India and Portugal was His Excellency, the Ambassador of Portugal to India Dr. Carlos Pereira Marques, His Excellency, The Cônsul General of Portugal to Goa Dr António Chrystêllo Tavares and a host of other Portuguese dignitaries.
The President in his prolific and resounding address, lauded about the ‘universal spirit of Portugal’ which according to him was reflected in the Portuguese communities spread throughout the world, and exalted that Goa was one of the riches which India received from Portugal. He went on to say emphatically that Goa is different from rest of the Portuguese communities spread over the world amidst thunderous applause from the audience, emphasizing that it was different in terms of history, culture, gastronomy, habits and customs and even religion.
Hopefully, the visit of the President of Portugal to Goa will go a long way in cementing the ties between Goa and Portugal and help disseminate the Portuguese language in Goa through various institutions. The Portuguese language has a crucial and fundamental role to play in preserving and maintaining the rich culture which the Portuguese has bestowed upon Goa and Goans. Adeusinho Senhor President! Até a próxima.
