For the Unsung Heroes of Goa
For the Unsung Heroes of Goa
Published on: December 17, 2010 - 00:22
BY CLARA A RODRIGUES.
The unsung tale of the Goan officer is a cause worthy to call attention to. Goans have held formidable positions in both commissioned and non-commissioned ranks. Their proficiency in strategising has been instrumental in turning the tide of battles in favour of our motherland many-a-time.
The book, ‘Patriotism in Action: Goans in India’s Defence Services’, is an attempt by senior journalist Valmiki Faleiro to recount the acts of valour of these brave men of Goa. Not many know that there was a Goan from Mapusa who went to Mozambique and raised an army of his own and ruled over a vast territory. Goans have showed their might in forces abroad as well as in India.
What made you write a book cataloguing Goans who served in the defence services?
Goans are not aware of the contributions Goan’s have made to our motherland and her defence. Proportionate to population, the number of Goans in defence services was one of the highest among all the regional communities of India, comparable next to the Anglo Indians or Parsis only. In this book, I have written about 400 officers but there are still many more not covered in this book. There is more yet to be written. Another reason that got me started on this book was the incident where Wg Cdr Oswald MF de Abreu lost his life in an air crash. Not a single publication thought of highlighting the Goans who lost their lives in earlier air crashes.
You have a keen interest on matters with regards to the defence services. Comment.
My father served in the army. He had a dream that I too would follow in his footsteps. But I disappointed him (laughs). I became a journalist.
How did you do your research for this book?
In defence circles once you have one contact you stumble onto another. It is like a multiplier effect.From a time when there were many Goans in the defence to the present period where the count has nosedived.
Would you like to comment on the possible reasons for this decline?
Many Goans were in defence services as commissioned officers serving in the top brasses of the forces. Goans were present too in non-commissioned posts and file (soldier) ranks. Today, the number of Goans in the forces is dismal. The monetary rewards in the forces are lucrative yet not many Goans join. This is either because they have a wrong impression about life in the services or they are not aware of it. Do you think the state government has a role to play in encouraging young people to join the forces? The state can certainly play a crucial role in this regard. Except in Goa, there is a pressure group in every region and community to encourage people to join the services. This group lobbies at the centre, state and with authorities for better facilities for these personnel serving in the forces.
You have called the Goan officer ‘orphans’. Explain.
As I said, there is no pressure group in Goa to lobby for the cause of the presently serving Goan officers. The serving Goan officers are left to fend for themselves. Post retirement do these Goan officers live in Goa? Not many live in Goa. Most reside in Pune. There the weather is supposedly pleasant (smiles). Many also live in Bangalore, Kolkata, some have moved abroad, too.
Could you tell us the names of some of the major battles where Goans have played a stellar role?
Goans took part virtually in all major operations. Many even died martyrs. A Goan, Gp Captain Sidney Basil Noronha was the first Indian air warrior to be awarded a Maha Vir Chakra. The second Goan to be decorated with this medal was Air C/Mshl Hrushikesh S Moolgavkar. The recent Goan martyr was Lt Narendra A Mayekar. He was awarded posthumously.
In the 1971 Bangladeshi War, Goan officers played an important role. Elaborate.
When we remember the 1971 Bangladeshi War, everyone only talks of the role Sam Manekshaw played. Although he took the primary decisions, few know that three Goans implemented the final strategy and the actual execution of the plan on all the three fronts. The war was almost laid in the hands of the Goans.
In the prologue of your book you say that one of the reasons that compelled you to write was that you wished to highlight the role of Catholics in the Indian forces. Comment.
I do not like making comparisons. But I am forced to. Catholics are as patriotic as the Hindus. The sustained campaign by the MGP and its cohorts years ago, which said that Catholics are unpatriotic and should be deported to Portugal, was the unjustified condemnation of a community that has done so much service for the motherland.
(Valmiki Faleiro’s book ‘Patriotism in Action: a book about Goans in India’s Defence Services’ will be released on December 18 at 5.30 p.m. at Goa Chitra Amphi-Theatre, Benaulim. The book launch will be preceded by a panel discussion on the author and the book).
For the Unsung Heroes of Goa
Published on: December 17, 2010 - 00:22
BY CLARA A RODRIGUES.
The unsung tale of the Goan officer is a cause worthy to call attention to. Goans have held formidable positions in both commissioned and non-commissioned ranks. Their proficiency in strategising has been instrumental in turning the tide of battles in favour of our motherland many-a-time.
The book, ‘Patriotism in Action: Goans in India’s Defence Services’, is an attempt by senior journalist Valmiki Faleiro to recount the acts of valour of these brave men of Goa. Not many know that there was a Goan from Mapusa who went to Mozambique and raised an army of his own and ruled over a vast territory. Goans have showed their might in forces abroad as well as in India.
What made you write a book cataloguing Goans who served in the defence services?
Goans are not aware of the contributions Goan’s have made to our motherland and her defence. Proportionate to population, the number of Goans in defence services was one of the highest among all the regional communities of India, comparable next to the Anglo Indians or Parsis only. In this book, I have written about 400 officers but there are still many more not covered in this book. There is more yet to be written. Another reason that got me started on this book was the incident where Wg Cdr Oswald MF de Abreu lost his life in an air crash. Not a single publication thought of highlighting the Goans who lost their lives in earlier air crashes.
You have a keen interest on matters with regards to the defence services. Comment.
My father served in the army. He had a dream that I too would follow in his footsteps. But I disappointed him (laughs). I became a journalist.
How did you do your research for this book?
In defence circles once you have one contact you stumble onto another. It is like a multiplier effect.From a time when there were many Goans in the defence to the present period where the count has nosedived.
Would you like to comment on the possible reasons for this decline?
Many Goans were in defence services as commissioned officers serving in the top brasses of the forces. Goans were present too in non-commissioned posts and file (soldier) ranks. Today, the number of Goans in the forces is dismal. The monetary rewards in the forces are lucrative yet not many Goans join. This is either because they have a wrong impression about life in the services or they are not aware of it. Do you think the state government has a role to play in encouraging young people to join the forces? The state can certainly play a crucial role in this regard. Except in Goa, there is a pressure group in every region and community to encourage people to join the services. This group lobbies at the centre, state and with authorities for better facilities for these personnel serving in the forces.
You have called the Goan officer ‘orphans’. Explain.
As I said, there is no pressure group in Goa to lobby for the cause of the presently serving Goan officers. The serving Goan officers are left to fend for themselves. Post retirement do these Goan officers live in Goa? Not many live in Goa. Most reside in Pune. There the weather is supposedly pleasant (smiles). Many also live in Bangalore, Kolkata, some have moved abroad, too.
Could you tell us the names of some of the major battles where Goans have played a stellar role?
Goans took part virtually in all major operations. Many even died martyrs. A Goan, Gp Captain Sidney Basil Noronha was the first Indian air warrior to be awarded a Maha Vir Chakra. The second Goan to be decorated with this medal was Air C/Mshl Hrushikesh S Moolgavkar. The recent Goan martyr was Lt Narendra A Mayekar. He was awarded posthumously.
In the 1971 Bangladeshi War, Goan officers played an important role. Elaborate.
When we remember the 1971 Bangladeshi War, everyone only talks of the role Sam Manekshaw played. Although he took the primary decisions, few know that three Goans implemented the final strategy and the actual execution of the plan on all the three fronts. The war was almost laid in the hands of the Goans.
In the prologue of your book you say that one of the reasons that compelled you to write was that you wished to highlight the role of Catholics in the Indian forces. Comment.
I do not like making comparisons. But I am forced to. Catholics are as patriotic as the Hindus. The sustained campaign by the MGP and its cohorts years ago, which said that Catholics are unpatriotic and should be deported to Portugal, was the unjustified condemnation of a community that has done so much service for the motherland.
(Valmiki Faleiro’s book ‘Patriotism in Action: a book about Goans in India’s Defence Services’ will be released on December 18 at 5.30 p.m. at Goa Chitra Amphi-Theatre, Benaulim. The book launch will be preceded by a panel discussion on the author and the book).
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