This is reference to Roberto Rodrigues’ recent demand via Herald (dt. 16 January, 2016) that a life size statue of Dr Jack de Sequeira be installed at a prominent place in Panjim. I respect his sentiments. However, installing a statue is not the best way to commemorate the great.
No doubt, Sequeira’s contribution to Goa’s historic Opinion Poll has been immense. Otherwise also, his name is recorded in the annals of history as the first Leader of Opposition in the Goa, Daman & Diu Legislative Assembly.
However, erecting a statue will not necessarily be the best tribute to him. As far as I am aware, two statues of Sequeira exist in Goa, one each at Dona Paula and Calangute. Similarly, a road is also named in his honour. Do we really need another statue? I think that adding a chapter on him in our school curriculum would be a greater tribute to him.
Politicians and the general public too, are fond of statues. Let us take the example of our first Chief Minister late D.B. Bandodkar here. His statue is located next to the Old Secretariat in Panjim, at a prominent place. But the government installed another statue in the premises of the Goa Legislative Assembly Complex at Porvorim too. Was it really needed?
These statues are garlanded only on the birth and death anniversaries of these leaders. Otherwise, no one cares for those statues. Birds poop on those statues, and they remain neglected. The MLA of Fatorda has demanded a statue of Dr. Sequeira and also said that his statue would be installed in Margao’s Municipality jurisdiction.
But what is the state of the statues in Margao’s Municipality Garden? How many Modgovvkars know whose statues are indeed located in the garden? The plaques below the statues are not possible to be deciphered, and the statues do need a facelift. The Margao Municipality should look into that matter.
Statues and busts are not the only way of remembering a person. A better way could be to install Dr Sequeira’s portrait in some prominent building, and even better- in the State Legislature premises itself. I remember that some years ago, a portrait of Swami Vivekananda was inaugurated in the Assembly.
The Parliament of India has now stopped installing statues, and prefers portraits instead. For instance, to mark the Golden Jubilee of Goa’s Liberation, a portrait of T.B. Cunha, painted by Harshada Kerkar, was inaugurated in the Parliament. This should serve as a precedent for all.
Last but not the least, I think the best way to honour great Goans like Dr Sequeira would be to issue a postage stamp through India Post.
