Monday, 20th April 2015 was a memorable day for all Goans in Goa and all over the world when on this day, we celebrated the 100th Birth Anniversary, of Dr. Jack de Sequeira, the leader of the Opposition of the first Legislative Assembly of Goa and lovingly known as the Father of the Opinion Poll.
Much has been written and spoken about this great man who had a vision for Goa and who kept the Goans united and fulfilling his pledge dream by having a separate state of Goa, which we all now enjoy are his fruits of labour.
Dr. Jack de Sequeira, a honest politician did not seek glory, although he worked tirelessly, to keep Goa’s identity and unity during the Opinion Poll which he along with his United Goans Party won, it was late Dayanand Bandodkar who claimed to be the first Chief Minister and by holding that position, thronged to merge Goa with Maharashtra along with his counter parts from the Maharashtra Assembly, but his efforts were futile as Goans under the leadership and visionary Dr. Jack de Sequeira kept Goa safe without merger and obtain the status of statehood of Goa.
During the Opinion Poll, during my youth days in Bombay, (now Mumbai), along with my late father, who worked rigorously along with late Dr. Simon C. Fernandes, former Mayor of Bombay, and editor of the popular Goan weekly – The Goa Times, to see that all Goans went to Goa and vote to save Goa being merged into Maharashtra, which all Goans heeded and thus we have our own state of Goa.
I was privileged to go and attend the 100th Birth Anniversary celebrations called for by his family members at Dona Paula and was shocked and surprised to see few people who had love for this great man gathered to pay respect and spoke about this visionary who gave us Goans the identity. Although there might have been other programs elsewhere, but the presence in large numbers for this morning celebration should have been felt, as there were no sign of any of our tiatrist who sing their praises during the shows or the members of the past and present Goa Legislative Assembly with the exception of one MLA, who are enjoying the benefits of his creation of separate identity for Goa, without realizing where they would be otherwise.
I salute you Dr. Jack de Sequeira for giving me an identity as Goan and a state of which I proudly am, and praise those who gave you the title you so deserve, the Father of the Opinion Poll, but now who want it to be rightly called as – FATHER OF GOA.
