I take this opportunity to greet my friend Prof Subhash Velingkar as he today completes 75 years of his life. Birthdays are important milestones in our lives, not only to celebrate but more importantly to reflect on the life lived, on the joys and pains experienced, on the successes achieved, on shortcomings faced, on friends and others — indeed on the entire gamut of one’s existence — so that one can handle better the unfolding mosaic, the rich tapestry of what lies ahead.
Prof Velingkar has reasons to feel contented and be proud of so many achievements of his in the educational and political arena, some of them challenging and, albeit, controversial. Living in a land as harmonious and tolerant as the State of Goa, part of the world’s largest democracy, one is bound to have imbibed that one virtue of which we all are truly proud: tolerance and respect for the right of others, of everyone, to free speech, so long as that right does no harm to others. I cherish this the most.
So, it should not be a surprise that despite our very different and fundamentally opposite views on some of the issues that my friend of many decades has taken up and advocated, I have decided to put the person and friendship before and above the divergence of our views. Thus, I feel extremely happy to wish Prof Subhash Velingkar the best of what life has yet to offer. Ours shall always be a broadminded fraternity, and we shall debate without rancour and with nobility of spirit to achieve a healthy air and a clear light to make our lives better.
As the former Goa RSS chief, he may have his beliefs deeply rooted in the RSS, whose philosophy is contrary to the secular foundations of our great Nation. But that does not stop us from greeting Subhash Velingkar on his auspicious occasion while recognizing his great and enormous contribution to the educational field in Goa. We are all different because we are all unique. Without diversity life would be boring.
We must be ready to live amid diverse viewpoints and live in harmony while leaving room for all to express their opinions with tolerance, respect and without fear. As President Jimmy Carter reminded us, we have become not only a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic of different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes and different dreams.
May Prof Velingkar enjoy his Birthday. May he have a long and contented life. My good wishes to him, to his family and friends. May he be blessed with good health and the precious gift of discernment between right and wrong, and a zest for tolerance and harmony to contribute positively to society for many years to come.
