Tomorrow on Dr Jack de Sequeira’s death anniversary the Goa government could have unveiled at the Secretariat in Porvorim the statue of Goa’s first Leader of Opposition.
Successive governments despite their assurances have done nothing worthwhile in memory of Dr Jack de Sequeira. But for his then tireless efforts during that historic Opinion Poll which was held on 16th January 1967, Goa today would have been languishing as a mere district if not taluka of Maharashtra with less than a handful of MLAs representing us.
Dr Jack de Sequeira, the Father of that Opinion Poll as the then fiery voice of the Opposition toiled with a vision and passion towards the development of Goa. Unlike many of today’s politicians who are self-centered, he relentlessly raised and pursued issues concerning the backward, down-trodden, and neglected communities of Goa. A Leader of his integrity, honesty and commitment, we may now never see in this arena of political pygmies.
As a school student I had the privilege of interacting with Dr Jack de Sequeira and with nostalgia memories of witnessing his debates in the Legislative Assembly, always well prepared and ever so eloquent. Later after that 1975 State of Emergency I had the occasion of addressing many public meetings along with that great and inspiring leader.
Dr Jack de Sequeira always dared to speak from his heart and always walk the talk. Only a few of such politicians still remain in our midst and will also be always remembered for the good they have done for Goa. About the rest and in particularly some of the current politicians in power who have been steering and navigating Goa down the tube there will be no obituary to write and no land remaining to even raise a Samadhi, leave alone a statue. It is imperative that today students in our schools and colleges are made aware of the very rich and invaluable contribution to Goa by Dr Jack de Sequeira. He cannot be consigned as our forgotten hero.
Politics today is no longer a mission, not even an honest profession. It has been abridged to a scoundrel’s very last resort. It has become a ruthless business, with morals and ethics twisted, thrown to the winds, and long buried deep in the slush of ignorance and thuggery. Those belonging to a genre of politicians with qualities of head and heart cannot survive in today’s political pitch as he has to be thick skinned and a hypocrite to the core. Having to be always ready to breach and bend every rule possible to survive.
It is very distressing to see and be witness to the continuing rampant destruction and devastation of Goa. In 2012 we were promised a ‘Parivartan’ and ‘Acche Din’, but Goa has sadly by the day been just further corroding beyond recognition.
It should have been the endeveaour of those in power to at least salvage and safeguard what remains of Goa. Unfortunately Goa is getting defaced at an electrifying speed. Posterity will never forgive the rulers of recent years for their selfish and dubious role in this irreparable damage and obliteration of what was once a beautiful Goa, the Paradise of the East. Goa is being deviously laid to rest Bric by Bric. Dr Jack de Sequeira must be rolling in heavenly abode at the way Goa is being uncaringly and ruthlessly misgoverned.
