MARGAO
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi shouted Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram slogans from the ramparts of the Red Fort in the National Capital on Independence Day, the huge crowd of people participating in the celebrations joined the chorus in chanting the slogans.
Benaulim-based fisherman Pele Fernandes, who was invited along with wife and three other fishermen couples from Goa to witness the Independence Day celebrations, too joined thousands of people to chant Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram slogans, but with a difference.
Unlike other dignitaries and participants, Pele displayed the red-coloured “Khasti” – the traditional attire used by the traditional Goan fishermen while venturing out in the sea for fishing. Whenever the Prime Minister Modi gave the slogans, Pele joined the people in repeating the slogans by waving the Khasti at the venue. “The khasti was given to me by my mother Esperance before I embarked on the journey to Delhi with my wife to join in the Independence Day celebrations. The Khasti was used by her husband, who was a traditional fishermen. My father used to wear this Khasti while going out for fishing,” Pele informed. In fact, Pele also displayed a T-shirt at the venue with a slogan “I love Goa” given to him by her daughter Natia, to convey a message to the people of the country that Goa is love.
Saying he had a wonderful experience to witness the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, Pele thanked the government of Goa and the Centre for recognising the contribution of the four fishermen families from Goa by inviting them for the celebrations.
During the interaction with Union Fisheries Minister Parthottam Rupala, Pele raised the issues plaguing the traditional fishermen of Goa. “I handed over to the Union Minister a memento with a portrait of a traditional fishing canoe. I drew his attention to the issues facing the traditional fishermen and suggested measures how to tide over the problems,” Pele said.
Beside Pele and Dr Renuka Fernandes, the other couples who were invited for the 75th Independence Day celebrations were Vasant Pednekar and Lakshmi Pednekar, Sebi Fernandes and Filomena Lourenco and Jacinto Guriao and Caseel Guriao.
