By Joseph M Pinto
My first impression of him was of a fearless citizen. I left GT within a year, but kept constantly in touch with them. Now that he is no more and I have lost my close & dear friend, the last impression of Satish is of a good human being, compassionate and caring.
But always his over-powering character is that of a free, frank and fearless, but
fair citizen.
FREE: As a lawyer, he was his own master. I recall telling him that some of our earliest freedom-fighters and patriots were lawyers and, therefore, their own masters. He added, “So we are free to be servants of the people.”
In the tradition of Gandhi’s guru, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who set up the Servants of India Society in 1905, Satish always kept himself “free” to serve the people of Goa and
of India.
FRANK: If you wanted an opinion and knew Satish, you could walk up to him and ask a question. He could be trusted to be frank. If he did not know the subject, he would say, “Sorry, Joe. I do not know. I can’t say.” If he felt that you were likely to disagree with his view, he would be careful not to hurt your feelings, while he expressed his own. He wanted to keep your friendship, while he disagreed with you -- frankly.
FEARLESS: Each of us can cite examples of how fearless he was. This trait is critical in Goa, because it is such a small state. Everyone knows some-one. So it is easy to be afraid of hurting the interests of some-one you know, when you take a position in the public interest.
FAIR: Despite being fearless, Satish could be counted upon to be fair. His deep sense of justice did not carry him away and make him self-righteous. He was careful not to become an arrogant know-all or a gullible do-gooder.
“Fearless … but Fair” is a rare combination, especially in Goa, where everyone thinks he or she is more sincere and honest than his or her neighbour or even friend.
As a working journalist and editor, I could trust Satish Sonak one hundred percent. As citizens and patriots how can each of us pay tribute to Satish?
First, ask hard questions to those in power. Do not be afraid: use RTI to pursue the powerful, ruthlessly to the very end. Speak up; stand up!
Second, understand and respect the first three words of the Preamble to our Constitution: “We, the People …” The people of India, ie, you and me, are sovereign, not Parliament.
Do not ever be over-awed by parliamentary democracy. Satish was a Gandhian to the core and practised civil disobedience, since he knew the law.
Third, and above all, be compassionate and hold Gandhi’s Talisman close to your heart:
“I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?”
Satish loved our people, the poor and the needy. He looked deep into their eyes. And listened to the voices of the voiceless. He felt their hearts, beating with his own. That brave heart is still.
Farewell, my fair friend,
just Satish!
