Indian Military actually landed on Goan soil on 18th December 1961. We saw them in their innumerable Jeeps and Tanks early in the morning on 18th December 1961 approximately at 5.30 AM going to Aguada. First time in my life I saw Sardarjis with their beard and turbans and I was so terrified that I thought what I was seeing were not normal human beings but someone from the other planet, so much I was frightened to see them. I was young then doing my schooling in my village Portuguese school. During Portuguese time we were not accustomed to see such human beings having so different outlook as Sikhs. My one brother working for SESA Goa was stranded at Sircaim about whom we were very much worried while the other brother working for Goa Police was at home since he was a technical man at Panjim Headquarters and was not required for fighting the Bharati enemies. The distance between my house and the main Road was approximately 50 metres and next to the main road we had our paddy field. My father who had great admiration for Salazar and his strict laws in Goa was very sad to see Salazar’s rule in Goa is ending while my Goa Police employee brother was telling “now Goa will turn into a “Moula ani Chor Raj”. Very prophetic words. He made this remark because earlier he had been to Bombay where he witnessed how bad Indian rule was. Indians are not good rulers but good “Chors” and current “Chors” of Goa learnt this art from Indian “Chors”. Goa since December 19, 1961 was disgraced by the introduction of Bharati rules, tradition, culture and influx of non-Goans.
On the same day early in the morning while my father was going to check the flow of water in our paddy field, on the main road he was stopped by the Bharati Military Peronnel occupying the front Seat in the Military Tank. Since my father was wearing a white banyan, his fair body like that of Portuguese Paklo, attracted the attention of that Bharati Military man who thought my father was a Paklo too. He shouted at my father to stop there only. My father was afraid. To pacify that Indian Millitary man, my father immediately started to talk in Hindi. Then that Indian Military man stopped the convoy of Jeep and Tanks for few minutes to talk to my father. At home seeing from distance, we all were terrified mainly because of my father’s pro-Portuguese inclination. But my father did not show any leaning towards Portugal and went on answering all the questions posed to him by the Indian Military man. It was about 10 minutes conversation between my father and Indian Military while proceeding to Aguada where the major portion of Portuguese Military personnel posted. The questions posed to my father were:
1. First Question: Who are you? Are you an Indian or Portuguese? My father replied: I am a
Goan.
2. Second question: Where are you going so early? My father replied: Going to our paddy field.
3. Third question: Why are you wearing this poverty stricken Banyan? My father replied:
Because I am a poor man.
Then the Indian Military man said: Yes, we know the Portuguese Government has purposely kept you poor. Henceforth, you will not remain poor, your standard will be high under Bharati rule. Don’t worry, you will enjoy best of life in Goa under Indian rule.
4. Fourth question: What is the strength of Portuguese Military stationed at Aguada? How long it will take for our convoy to reach Aguada? And what about Chapora Fort? Is there any Military Portuguese posted there? Do you have any idea?
My father replied thus: There is nothing at Chapora. At Aguada around 200 Portuguese soldiers are stationed and it will take around 30 Minutes to reach Aguada from my place.
My poor father ignorant of Bharati Raj of “Chor” and cunning, out of happiness wrongly believing as Gospel Truth what Indian Military man told him, came home immediately even without checking the flow of water in our Paddy field, so much he was excited for the good days that will come on Goa. When he reached home, he was all smiling and in happy mood thinking of the better days to come on Goans especially poor Goans under Bharati rule. While going to our Paddy Field my father was saying Salazar Zindabad but while returning home he started saying Nehru Zindabad and Salazar Murdabad. Poor man my father!! He was fooled by Indian Military personnel. And who was he the Indian Military man? Where is he now? Alive or dead? God alone knows.
Tomorrow 19th December, Goa will be celebrating Liberation Day of Goa. What liberation? To hell with this liberation. It was NOT Liberation but it was a ROBBERY because on this day in 1961, Bharat Serkar of Nehru ROBBED MY BELOWED GOA and annexed it to his corrupt Bharat without taking into consideration our views. Goa was not Nehru's "Paiche Bens" to acquire it forcefully without our consent. A few Freedom Fighters were not the spokemen of Goa and Goans. Morarjee Desai was against using force to drive away Portuguese from Goa.
According to the landmark judgement delivered by India’s Apex Court, i.e. the Supreme Court, on 19th December 1961, Goa was NOT LIBERATED by Bharat but CONQUERED. One of the renowned Goans the then Principal of St. Joseph’s High School Arpora told the students in his class at Arpora that Goa was invaded by BHARAT and NOT Liberated while many others said on 19th December 1961 Goa as Goa was ROBBED by Bharat to destroy its genuine identity, this was what Nehru cunningly wanted. For some political reasons Nehru wanted to eradicate total identity of Goa. In view of this 19th December should be marked NOT AS LIBERATION DAY OF GOA BUT AS ROBBERY DAY OF GOA. All the genuine Goans who love Goa must oberve this day as the day of Robbery.
By all means Goa had to be liberated from Portugal but not the way it was done. Because of force used against Goa, the Non Violence doctrine preached by Bharat under Nehru was put into disgrace. World leaders accused India under Nehru for using violent method to drive away Portuguese from Goa. There was no need to use violence to exit Portuguese from Goa. Nehru was a crook. Without consulting Goans based in Goa he took unilateral action and when some world leaders accused Nehru for using force on Goa, Nehru was shocked and he took this shock very seriously leading to deteriorating of his health.
The rule of Bharat in Goa is a curse. Bharati administration in Goa is a shame. There is nothing good in Bharat and because it is so, all the top and low Bharatis are flooding in Goa making Goa as Ghantti Raj. The character of genuine Goan was destroyed by the Bharati Ghantti in Goa. Nobody trust a Bharati because he is selfish, crook, traitor and first class “Chor”. What is happening in Goa now is the result of forceful occupation of Goa by Nehru’s Congress. In order to lead a Maharjas Life, Congress stripped Maharajas of their doles and themselves turned into new Maharajas. In the name of Socialism they have amassed wealth by robbing poor citizens. In Goa every top Congressman is become a crorepoti by robbing the poor Goans. Goan Freedom Fighters are not interested in this robbery because they have already sold their sacrifices under Portuguese rule in Goa for Pensions and Tamrapatra. Their fights and imprisonment during Portuguese rule against Portuguese were purchased by the Government. For this reason they are keeping their silence over the rot that is going on in Goa now. Prof. James from Assonora, Bardez who himself suffered so much under Portuguese rule for being a genuine Freedom Fighter had no answer to this question when I met him a few years back.
Immediately following the takeover of Goa by Bharat, many of the Non Brahmin Hindus in my village were acting like Dadas, threatening Christians, firing crackers in front of the houses of Christians and Crosses and making rough statements against Christians and St. Francis Xavier as if Chritians were Pro-Portuguese and anti-Indians. Regretfully, all of them who were harassing Christians and talking against Christianity in my village died very miserably. I pity them and their families. They thought Bharati Raj means Hindu Raj for Hindus alone to rule over all others. They were ignorant because they equated India with Hindus. They did not know how the word India originated. They were communal in thoughts and deeds. Later on they all supported ZALACH PAIZE, i.e. Merger of Goa with Maharastra. They never realized the great contribution of Goan Chritians in fighting against Portuguese rule in Goa. To know more of the contribution of Goan Christians at regional and national levels they should read the latest book “PATRIOTISM IN ACTION” by Valmiki Faleiro.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
December 17, 2010
RELEASE OF NEW BOOK "PATRIOTISM IN ACTION" BY VALMIKI FALEIRO
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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