the goan I network
MARGAO
Saying that the world knows about country’ first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s contribution towards the Independence of India and Goa’s liberation, Congress MLA Reginald Lourenco on Wednesday said the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s statement holding Nehru responsible for the Liberation of Goa is in bad taste.
“Let me remind the Chief Minster that Nehru spent nine years in jail for independence. Nehru is recognised internationally for his contribution to foreign policy of India and the initiatives of Non Aligned Movement. Nehru stands tall as a builder of modern India. Nehru is studied in universities all over the world and each year over 200 books are churned out by scholars on his politics and foreign policy,” Reginaldo said, while drawing the attention of the Chief Minister that it was Nehru after Liberation who stood for maintaining Goa’s unique identity within the Union of India.
“One of Nehru’s famous quote to protect Goa’s identity is as follows “I have felt for a long time that Goa had a distinctive personality, and it would be a pity if anything were done to take away that personality. It may be that gradually time and other factors will bring about changes, but it is not for the government to enforce changes that will affect Goa’s personality….Goa can develop as it likes within the framework of India and thus add to the richness of India,” he said,
Reginaldo said that is the reason why Goans in India and overseas will celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the historic Opinion Poll on January 16.
“Otherwise, Goa today would not have been an independent State of India but a small district of Maharashtra after its merger,” he said, adding that it is the language of the RSS which uses people to destroy the real secular fabric of India.
“The platform of Army Day used by the CM for his utterances is improper and he should avoid such statements, which brings a bad name to Goa and is certainly not expected from Pramod Sawant, for whom I have great regard,” he added.
