ASI plaque at Old Goa courts controversy

OLD GOA

With attention now focused on the decennial Exposition of the Relic of St Francis Xavier, which is barely three months away, a group of residents from Corlim have raised objection to the huge name plaque of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) near the ‘Se Cathedral de Santa Catharina’ monument.

The concerned residents have now petitioned Union Minister for Tourism Shripad Naik to direct ASI authorities to replace the name plaque of the world heritage monument with that of the ‘Se Cathedral de Santa Catharina’.

In a letter to Naik, social activist Baptista Pereira and others stated that while ASI is expected to protect and maintain heritage monuments and its surrounding area, they claimed that ASI appeared to be grabbing attention and space in some way or the other.

“The ASI has installed its huge engraved granite name plaque in the circle right at the centre of the Se Cathedral property at Old Goa. This used to be the site where the statue of Louis de Camoes had been erected during the Portuguese colonial rule,” said Pereira.

“While the ASI has prominently installed its own name plaque at a prominent site, it is shameful to see a small signboard pointing the two world heritage monuments ‘Bom Jesus Basilica’ and ‘Se Cathedral’ by the roadside.”

“If one enters the main gates of Se Cathedral and Bom Jesus Basilica, one can only see the name plaques of ASI, which gives tourists and devotees the impression that these are the hubs of the ASI. In fact, the ASI is only the protecting and maintaining authority and not the owners of Se Cathedral monument and its surrounding properties, besides other heritage sites.”

“We have urged Union Minister for Tourism Shripad Naik to look into this matter and act accordingly, as the State government is also very keen to promote the forthcoming Exposition of St Francis Xavier worldwide.”

In their letter, Pereira and others have requested Naik to direct the ASI authorities to replace their huge ASI name plaque with that of Se Cathedral de Santa Catharina.

“If required, the ASI can engrave in small letters ‘Protected & Maintained by Archaeological Survey of India’,” added the letter.

Speaking to Herald, Pereira said Shripad Naik’s son, Siddesh, who is also panch of Old Goa, had assured them that their grievances would be looked into, as the issue seemed genuine.

When contacted, ASI-Goa Circle Superintendent Archaeologist Mahadevaiah refused to comment in the matter, claiming that he was not authorised to speak to media persons.

However, an official inside the ASI, requesting anonymity to speak candidly, ridiculed Pereira and other concerned residents who have sought to create a controversy over the name plaque.

“The name plaque was installed more than 20 years back. When it was installed, nobody objected to it and on the contrary, many people even appreciated the ASI,” the official informed. “One can only question the real motive of those who are raising the issue more than two decades later.”

Reacting to allegations that numerous ASI signboards had been installed, particularly those pertaining to its 150th anniversary, the source said: “The boards were installed when the 150th anniversary was celebrated in 2011. Why rake the issue now?”

When brought to his notice that residents were aggrieved that signboards indicating the names of the world heritage monuments had not been displayed prominently, the official shot back and advised the concerned to first check the ground reality before questioning the ASI authorities.

“There are several signboards which are installed in and around the monuments, which provide sufficient information,” the official added.

“If concerned persons had any substantial issue, they would have first approached the ASI rather going to the media,” stated the official and claimed that the ASI office had not received any representation from any corner.