All over the world freedom fighters are well respected and recognised by their institutions and are given special status and privileges for their dedication and sacrifices, the freedom struggle was the key that slammed the doors on oppression and opened the doors to freedom. A lot of freedom fighters have lost their lives, some were in prison for years, others lucky to be alive and free.
[Photo courtesy: www.kamat.com/kalranga/freedom/congress/o085.htm ]
Goa after a being ruled by the Portuguese for over 400 years, was finally free of foreign rule for which many of the brave freedom fighter who are alive today are being honoured by the Government and special privileges have been bestowed unto them and rightly so, though the credibility of our freedom fighters has been somewhat tarnished because at the time of the so called liberation there were unknown number of criminals in jail, who now claim to be freedom fighters, as they were all released from jail after the so called liberation, so the presence of freeloaders among the actual freedom fighters is a clear possibility too.
Every year the 18th of June has been celebrated as the Goa Revolution Day, and every year our politicians are seen felicitating our freedom fighters, but is the work of the freedom fighters done and finished with ? Was it for the prevailing present, that they had fought for, the sacrifices they had made for?
During the time when Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency, freedom fighters like Jayprakash Narayan blew the bugle of war against Indira for turning India into a dictatorial power from the democratic setup. He fought bravely and was again put behind bars, where he was treated like a mere criminal, but it did not break his resolve and kept on the fight. What do we see in Goa? Our so called freedom fighter are more interested in getting rid of the Portuguese names, is that what they fought for? Does changing of names, gives us the actual freedom? I am happy that at least one of them had the courage to speak against the Casino culture, but are they all blind to see the depravity and the corruption that is thriving in their beloved Goa, that they fought for? Why is it that not a single freedom fighter is raising his voice against the dire effects of mining and mega housing on our ecology, environment and the lives of their fellow brethren? Or are they so desperate for the goodies that the Government throws at them, that they fail to see the reality around them?
Politicians and bureaucrats in Goa are on a rampage tearing and selling ever bit of Goa, not thinking of the posterity or even the immediate future. They are not worried about improving the quality of life of Goans and infact doing their best to make life of Goans even more difficult. Corruption and crime are runaway monsters spreading faster and wider than a cosmic explosion.
Is this what our freedom fighters had fought for?
[ http://lilliandcosta.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/army.jpg ]
With all due respect for their efforts and sacrifices during the freedom struggle, they should at least gave the guts to say to our inapt and corrupt government that the prevailing depravity and corruption was not what they had fought for.
[http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/freedom/congress/batch1-076.htm]
Our politicians are certainly making a mockery of the lives and sacrifices of our freedom fighters and yet they fail to see it, unfortunately the vision of our freedom fighters has been distorted and needs to be reverted or else their fight for freedom will be in vain and we'll most certainly need another Goan Revolution, this time not against any outsiders but against our very own.
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes
Dubai - UAE
ffernandes.dgj@emaar.ae
www.goa-world.com
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