The news report “Eduardo Faleiro suggests gallery of freedom fighters in Assembly” (June 17) deserves kind notice of the State Government of Goa. As reported the former Union Minister had floated such a proposal six years’ back but with no response. A sincere lover of Goa that I am and having been a student of modern Indian history can understand what bondage and desire for political freedom means for a nation and state colonised and therefore welcome the proposal of the ex-minister.
Both India and Goa have chequered histories of the interface with foreign rule, its achievements and failures and the desire of the people to conduct their own lives with dignity and freedom.
Without political awareness and the contribution of many freedom fighters, Goa could not have had shaken the strong foundations of Portugal. It would also be a travesty to say that Portugal rule was all evil and inhuman. On the credit side Portuguese rule brought development on a massive scale to modernise the condition of cluster of villages, rich buildings of homes and churches, beaches, better condition of roads, pubs and bars, places of tourism and cultivation of a genteel culture though strengthening the privileged and rich and these have become today’s heritage and past civilisation, Goan people fun loving and non-violent in disposition, civil and hospitable are largely due to close contact with foreign rule, just as the British rule made people civilized and be agents of modern thinking.
On the debit side interfering with other religious beliefs, destruction of temples and replicating them with churches, cultivation of fear, restrictions on freedom to say and write, strict censorship (even envelopes were internally scrutinized) and devaluing anything rebel against foreign rule. The debit side became so pernicious as to destroy all human and republican feelings. An understanding of history becomes all the more important and in every country colonialism and colonial policies play a double task first with enlightenment eventually making the place and lives of the people suffocating and hence resistance.
It may be pertinent to name organisations and people who resisted Portuguese rule for a new moment. Their photos must adorn the Assembly and remembrance by the present legislators a necessity that without active participation and involvement, Goa’s freedom may not have come or further delayed. State text books on history have to incorporate figures who fought for freedom and this is how everybody in the present can understand the past and make the present more enriching in all facets of life in this smallest state.
However, adornment of Assembly gallery with full size figures of illustrious personalities, a necessity should not be the end in all. Legislators must be fully aware of the needs and aspirations of the people in relation to their basic needs, empowerment and surroundings. The legislators must enact laws which can benefit the people of Goa down to the last person and governance should be people friendly, then only the Goan spirit for adventure and liberalism will take shape far better than under once Portuguese rule.
