The naming of the 3rd Mandovi Bridge after PM Atal B Vajpayee is welcome and non controversial. He was the moderate face of BJP and veered from extremes. He stepped down from PM’s post with dignity and honour, upheld the sanctity of the institution, rather than resort to mechanism of defections and allurements, when the signs were clear on the horizon of numbers. He was a thorough diplomat and a statesman to be counted among the tallest stalwarts of Indian politics. To his credit, credibility and trust, the then ruling party nominated him to represent India in International forum, as the leader of opposition, singularly a rare honour.
BJP top brass silently dissuaded him to be beware of oblique threat and trap to his reputation and implication to the party, but he was polite and determined in brushing of their concerns and unfounded apprehension. Unexpectedly, his trail blazing address at the United Nations resounded with aplomb, upholding National pride and patriotism. Thus his reputation remained untarnished and praise worthy as an Indian. The cunning, deceit and cloak of secrecy to spring a surprise is a treacherous path and lacks openness in a democracy. It maintained stoic silence of the dead of possible name. Why was BJP afraid of openly naming the bridge, when there was a wide consensus and suggestions from wide section of people? The only late hint floated at the last minute was that privilege is left to the centre to decide in the footsteps of Congress culture.
The reason espoused is that huge grants are extended to Goa, as if it is a largess from the private coffers of BJP. This argument is not convincing reason and no other reason is mentioned publicly as to the merit deserving the nomenclature. BJP naming the stadium after Shyam Prassad Mukerjee, a BJP stalwart, whose identity makes mockery on Goa scene is on the beaten part of previous Govt to resurrect, perpetuate and immortalise only politicians in the country.
BJP is no better, similarly imitating Congress in the naming game, while blasting the Congress of partisan trends. It will be in the fitness of things that Zuari bridge be baptised in the name of a living person in advance, a la Idi Amin and whose contributions are tomtomed as super and unparalled in the history of liberated Goa.
It matters very little the nomenclature. Atal will not rise in the perception of Goans an inch more other than having been PM like many others too living and dead. It does not in any way add to the glory, safety and importance of the link or glorify the historical figure or enrich the content of history. It is time to move away from naming after personalities, especially politician.
Goan stalwarts are bereft of privilege, as they are too small and insignificant to merit such honours. No one is a king in his own country as the proverb goes.
