The MGP and now the RSS demands of a public apology from Portugal for their colonial rule of close to four centuries in Goa that came up in the context of the present Prime Minister of Portugal being of Goan origin is somewhat far fetched. In fact if anyone who has his roots in Goa does well in any part of the world in his or her chosen field of work or whatever it should be a matter of pride for Goa. More so like Keith Vaz from the UK who acknowledges his moorings to Goa. Thus there is nothing wrong in according a civic reception to the present Portugal PM as a son of Goa, that is if he accepts, and the MGP and RSS have no business in objecting to it.
At the same time one must say that when this news had first become known a couple of months ago there were some feelings expressed as to what he would do for Goa. This is wrong since we need not have any such expectations and in fact the initiative for whatever the new Portuguese PM wants to do to better relations with Goa should come from him voluntarily.
Reacting to the MGP’s unseemly apology request there have also been many feelings expressed that there was nothing to apologize by Portugal since during colonial rule there was more peace as well as law and order. But that was all since the Portuguese deprived Goa of education particularly higher education but for the medical college and no industry worth the name existed. The Portuguese deliberately followed the policy of keeping the people of Goa ignorant and indolent so that there would be no rebellion and their writ would then be dominant and unquestioned.
If Portugal had continued in Goa then the situation here would have been like many a Portuguese colony in Africa which have turned into banana republics. This is not to say that our present government in Goa is beyond question but we are perforce compelled to accept the best of a bad bargain.
