Norman Fernandes
Goa, the youngest child of Bharat Mata, has always had a mind of its own. While India celebrates its 81st Independence Day, Goa marks the 65th anniversary of its Liberation. Unlike the rest of India, Goa was freed from Portuguese rule on 19 December 1961.
When Goa held its first election after Liberation, its people surprised the political establishment by voting overwhelmingly for regional parties rather than the Indian National Congress, which was then the dominant political force across much of India. It was on this occasion that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru is said to have remarked:
“Ajeeb hai Goa ke log!” And with great pride, I say: yes, we are ajeeb and proudly Indian.
Proudly unique, unmistakably Indian
Goa’s uniqueness does not contradict its Indianness. Instead, it represents one of the many beautiful colours in India’s vast and varied heritage.
The way we worship, manage our Comunidades, celebrate our feasts and festivals, organise our functions and prepare our food is unmistakably Goan. From a village zatra to a church feast, and from katrepaav and pork sorpotel to a simple plate of patal bhaji, we have a special way of turning everyday life into a celebration.
Independence Day also coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Assumption, which commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. On this occasion, the traditional sweet patoleo is prepared with rice paste spread over fresh turmeric leaves, filled with coconut and jaggery, and then steamed.
The joy of susegaad
Perhaps our greatest talent is the ability to enjoy life’s smaller pleasures: an unhurried susegaad afternoon, a friendly gup-shup, a song drifting from a village home or a neighbour’s invitation that begins with, “Just come for a little while,” but ends several hours later.
In Goa, the phrase “small function” is often a polite description of a full-scale celebration with food, music and enough conversation to continue until the following day.
We may be ajeeb, but we are never short of affection. We may disagree loudly, eat happily and arrive “in five minutes” after half an hour, but we know how to welcome people with a warm “Dev borem korum” and a generous helping of something delicious.
The Goan spirit
That warmth is one of the reasons visitors from across India and around the world flock to our coastal paradise whenever the first long weekend appears on the calendar. They may come for the beaches, but they stay for the susegaad, the stories, the music, the food and the unmistakable Goan spirit.
On the occasion of India’s 81st Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all my brothers and sisters across the country. Let us celebrate not only our freedom, but also the rich diversity that makes India truly extraordinary.
As we proudly recite our National Pledge: India is my Country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.
Let us always remember that patriotism does not require us to be identical. It allows every region, language, culture and community to contribute its own unique note to India’s grand symphony.
So, let Goa remain proudly ajeeb, cheerfully susegaad and unmistakably Indian.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat! Jai Goa!
