The renewed tamasha after 51 years to erect a statue in the name of Dr Jack Sequeira has not been lost on anyone. It is a political move to gain mileage. The Congress, when in power, did precious little towards this issue. Now they are raising objections, protests by boycott. The GFP is moving forward politically much to the surprise of the voters, but at least they have brought the issue in sharp focus. The MGP has no credible defense to offer, except that the people have forgiven them, as if re-election is a measure of the people’s appreciation of defeat of merger? All the 40 MLAs including the CM and his ministers are enjoying power only because Goa is a state by virtue of the Opinion poll. Otherwise, Goa would just be a district with a collector. The statue of the first CM at the Old Secretariat should have been more than justified as the honour to him. A samadhi at Campal is not a place of intended reverence to his memory. Glorifying Bandodkar with exalted position on pedestal as the only monument in stone at the New Assembly Complex is out of tune, reason, lacks credibility and has no meaning for independent Goa, which he tried to subvert with all his might.
The father of the Opinion poll has been ignored and dumped historically. Move away from this static idea, decaying notion of immortality of statues by annual forced respect. Instead, honour many a unknown face like freedom fighters, institute pensions, establish a chair in university, let the movement be included in study, institute a scholarship, awards competitions at various levels, in his honour, promote research in the history of opinion poll, tributes to him in song and verse. Name some projects like bridges, hospitals, institutes, seminars, lecturs, etc or even a museum dedicated to Dr Sequeira. Open other useful projects for the benefit of society to keep him in the monument of our heart and mind.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
