Lt. Commander Harbans Singh writes on:
Tue Mar 19, 2002  11:53 pm
 

I have read through a number of very interesting and educating editorials and articles on the web site. I wish to offer my views on some of the specific issues raised.

In early 16th century, Goa formed part of a bigger political empire in the south. It is only after the take over by the Portuguese that it started developing a distinct identity. Conversions to Christianity coupled with the Inquisitions in Goa for nearly 2.5 centuries may have had a lot to do with it.  Inquisitions in particular provided an unpopular but foolproof frame work for forcing the change. Whatever the reasons, Goa along with Daman & Diu as a group came to be known as "Portuguese Colonies".  After 1961 this group was placed
under the charge of a Lt. Governor and came to be known as " Union Territories Of Goa Daman & Diu". These three territories had nothing in common except the history of Portuguese Occupation but geographically were situated far apart. It was not found administratively convenient to govern all the territories from Panaji. It was then only natural that these territories get split up for no other reason than mere administrative convenience. Forgetting the Daman & Diu parts, the territory of Goa, being the dominant partner managed to become an independent state in the Indian Union. That was the final form it acquired after a lot of political churning both inside and outside Goa.

It is true that Pt. Nehru had started coming under increasing criticism from the opposition for non performance of congress in respect of the five year plans. The Chinese aggression of 1962 only added fuel to the fire. His policies of world peace and non alignment took a lot of beating. This was particularly so towards the fag end of his life. He died in 1964. However, it would be a gross exaggeration to state that Pt Nehru or the Congress needed some external props like taking over Goa to help them win elections and retain power in Delhi. Nothing can be farther from the truth!

The truth was that Nehru's leadership was still, by and large, unquestioned, whimpering from the opposition notwithstanding. After Nehru, "WHO"? was still the question which was haunting the entire country. No! It was on the lips of the entire world.

The real reason behind decision to liberate Goa perhaps was the intended move of the Portuguese to convert Goa into a NATO Base. Preparations towards this end had already been started. It was rumoured that Dabolim airport had been spruced up to house the forces. This would have put a permanent stop to the ever looming threat of the Indian take over of Goa. Clever move this!

However, it ran counter to the Non Aligned Movement of Tito, Nasser and Nehru. That was probably the last straw which brought an abrupt end to the Portuguese rule. What an ignominious end at that!

All right thinking people would have desired a much more dignified end to the longest ruling colonial power in the subcontinent. They could have easily followed the British, French and the Dutch examples.

It has been stated that Indian Army just "Walked into Goa" in order to liberate it. There is also a helpful hint that the Portuguese authorities were so generous that they offered Goa to the Indians as a gift on a silver salver. Very nice thought this! Though, the Armed Forces personnel who were engaged in this operation may not entirely agree!

Another allegation against the Indian Army is that it indulged in looting and rape of .....They would further make us believe that it was an army of occupation and not of liberation. This kind of propaganda achieves nothing but creates disaffection in the minds of Goans for the armed forces of their country.

Permit me to explain the composition of this so called "Army of occupation" which the "Indian government" is alleged to have "let loose" on the Goan populace. Yours Truly joined the Indian Navy in 1957. Let me take the example of my own class of 30 trainees selected by the Indian Navy after a competitive written test and medical tests etc. there were two candidates from Margao, Goa. They were recruited under the same set up as the rest of the candidates from various parts of the country. I think that represents a lions share from Goa, considering its relative size. We, later on, realized that the demographic distribution of Goan boys was similar in the other seven or eight batches of trainees senior to us. It is also noteworthy that the senior training staff in the training establishment of the Navy (as in the rest of the navy as well) had a generous sprinkling of Goan names like Fernandes, DeSouza, Parulekar, Rodricks, Gomes et al. Indian Navy's example here only provides a very minute peephole to know how Goans were / had been faring in the Indian Armed Forces.

Now with this scenario, if it is decided to launch a military action of this type, who will be the natural choice of personnel to take part in it? Naturally those who are familiar with the terrain, know the local language etc. With considerable numbers available in the forces, the choice would naturally fall on Goans. Indeed, such was the case! It may come as a surprise to many that the first air strike against the Portuguese on the Dabolim Airport was led by Air Vice Marshall Pinto of the IAF. Does the name ring a bell? Ever noticed that the road stretch from Chicalim junction to the civil airport is named after him? This brave son of Goa had risen to the exalted rank of AVM in the
Indian Air Force. This only proves that he must have joined the IAF at least 25 to 30 years ago! They don't recruit Air Marshals directly. He was not alone but one among many to reach that and even higher positions in all the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces. Space does not permit me to recount the number of Goans who covered themselves in glory and even laid down their lives in the process. Such was the glorious tradition with which the Indian Military consisting of Goans and Non Goans alike entered Goa on that fateful day.

Well ladies and gentlemen! That was a representative sample of the composition of the "Indian Military" which came to liberate Goa. The least that can be expected from the present generation is to desist from malicious and venomous propaganda against the armed forces of the country of which Goa and Goans are very much an integral part.

It is true that Goans were always welcome in India. It is the Portuguese administration of the time that did not encourage the Indians to come into Goa and mix with the locals. I reckon the Portuguese had a vested interest in so doing at that time. But to give vent to a similar sentiment at present, whose interest is being served? Not that of the Goans in any case! It is the Goan interest which will be better served by free interaction of people from both sides. It may be realized that cultures do not flourish under isolation as well as they do under free environment. We cannot afford to lag behind when the entire world is heading towards globalization. The shackles of the colonial era must be abandoned. AMEN!

Gabriel de Figueiredo's response to Harbans

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