Nearly 7 lakh devotees and pilgrims have visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus/Se Cathedral Church complex from 21 December until now for the 18th decennial exposition of St Francis Xavier, which is currently underway in Old Goa.
Unfortunately, since the exposition began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi (who otherwise finds time for frequent trips to Goa during elections and to visit his favourite holy places across India on special occasions) has not bothered to visit Old Goa even once to pay his respects to Goa’s most beloved saint, ‘Goencho Saib’.
Not only did he skip attending the High Mass on the Feast Day, but he also failed to post a simple message wishing Goans on the auspicious occasion of St Francis Xavier’s Feast on 3rd December. This contrasts sharply with the Leader of the Opposition and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi, who ensured his warmest wishes reached the people of Goa through the print media, acknowledging the importance of this year’s exposition in Old Goa.
Prime Minister Modi, despite his “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” rhetoric, has shown how much he truly values Goans (especially Goan Catholics) by neither sending wishes nor visiting this significant holy heritage site during the ongoing exposition. Meanwhile, some still naively hope that the leader will invite Pope Francis for an official visit to Goa in the future.
