Team Herald
PANJIM: In Goa, there are umpteen stories of communal amity, celebrating each others’ feasts, Hindu craftsmen making images of Christian saints, non-Hindus celebrating Ganesh festival, etc. But in the present context of the malicious remarks against St Francis Xavier, this story narrated by Shailesh Quencro, a Goan,
is simply the icing on the cake of communal amity in Goa.
Shailesh Quencro has posted an fabulous picture on his Facebook page, which as he says, “This pic needs no caption. It depicts Our Goa in an instance!!”
Quencro narrated how his family would have to postpone its annual Ganesh Chaturthi festivities this year on account of a death in the family. So as per the norm he narrates how his family decided on a ‘one day’ installation, celebration and immersion of the Idol.
“When we reached the ‘manos’ (sluice gate) for immersion this early evening, this boatman with his canoe enthusiastically and instantly directed us to his canoe. Along with his colleague. He helped my cousin Akhil boarded the canoe with The Lord (Ganesha) and set sail for immersion,” Quencro narrates.
“Pertinent to note is the name of this carrier (the boatman’s canoe was named St Francis Xavier) which provided the service to Our Lord in his final destination. This pic says it all,” Quencro states.
His final words describe Goa, its peaceful communal harmony and brotherhood in a nutshell. “This is our Goa, our culture, our land, our brotherhood and it has been so since long and shall remain so forever - a land of abundance, a land of joy, a land of peace and happiness,” Quencro states.
It is such a shame that current politicians and failed politicians seek to divide the people of Goa, when people of other States envy Goa and are flocking to have second homes in Goa, due to its admirable civil society, common civil code and peaceful co-existence of all communities. Civil Society should strive to preserve this Goa for posterity, irrespective of the poison spewed by the establishment or their hired cronies.