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Father of the opinion poll He was born as Joao Hugo Eduardo Sequeira alias Jack De Sequeira ,JAK SIKER in Burma on 20.4.1915 to Erasmo (Doctor) & Mrs Ana Julia de Sa ,married at the age of 23 .After Lyceum he joined Goa Medical College and qualified as Doctor at 21years winning gold medal in Microbiology.Death of his father when he was 21 made him to abandoned his passion for continuation of Medicine.He had to take over the reigns of prosperous business "Agencia E Sequeira"dealing in Bharat Petroleum pumps,Wimco and other fast moving products. He was first elected from Panjim and 3 times from Santa Cruz. Since he lost at the 4th attempt, he gracefully quit politics in 1979 in humility. Instrumental in forming UGP ,merging Goencho Paksh,Partido Indiano ,Democratic Party ,United Front,& Goan National Union .Elected as the President of UGP was the first leader of opposition.He was a gifted ,charismatic leader,orator delivering studied discourses. Labelled as principled, honest ,generous,⁰ , intellectual ,distinguished politician hungering for transparent ,non corrupt administration .The lingua franca at home undoubtedly was Konkanni .In 1963 UGP won 12 seats and MGP with 14 seats formed the Govt with support..He thwarted the hurried move of MGP for merger by vote in the Assembly.Delegations were led to P. M.Nheru wanting a cooling period of 10/ 15 yeras, then Lal Bahadur Shastri and finally to Mrs Ghandi , who sanctioned mother of all referendum, first time in Independent India ,instrument of direct democracy by people of Goa, assuring outcome to be accepted compulsorily by Govt of India .Date fixed on 16Jan 1967 by secret ballot after dissolving the Assembly. He was assisted by various leaders, Advocates ,Poets, Indudtrialists, Tiatrists, social workers,journalists followers of all religions working tirelessly to maintain unique identity of Goa..Salcette sealed the fate of two laves by a convincing margin of 54.2% of votes confirming thereby that Goa is not backyard of Maharashtra..The sobriquet. "Father of opinion poll"The author who conferred that title is unknown but appears that media bestowed this title ,wholeheartedly accepted by the people.There cannot be two fathers as in the case of Mahatma Ghandi likewise being called Father of Nation.He was not an astitute politician .Had he supported K.B.Naik, breakaway group of 7 from MGP demanding CM post it would have been requiem for ,MGP . . His vision along with dedicated leaders preserved the identity of Goa, culture ,language and Geographical borders.Further his avowed wish was to make Goa " role model state in India" .January 16 is observed as ASMITAI DIS.Goa thus became a separate state with Kon as the official language.Opinion poll is not officially celebrated,recognised by the State nor his statue adorns the precincts of Assembly with Bandodkar, inspite of persistent requests. If Goa was merged then there would be no CM, but 2 MLA's,one MP and one Collector.Politicians enjoying the privileges of STATE should be grateful and at least officially perpetuate his memory. The historical event is to be cherished and passed on to new generations A statue in his honour is erected at Calangute on 16.01.2007 , Asmitai Dis. Dona Paula too has another statue as a landmark. Salcette has the first and only statue by Ambelim Panchayat inaugurated on 11.12.2023 at the initiative of new APP MLA Eng Cruz.The road from Dona Paula circle is named after him.Countless songs remind nostalgically his legacy for unique identity of Goa Edwin Costa has dedicated a CD to his eternal memory. Books and literature record his legacy.A special cover is released by Indian post on his centenary . It is sad that centenary celebrations were officially marked by mute response He passed away on 17.10.1989 at the age of 74. He leaves behind 3 sons and 6 daughters.Erasmo was an MP for 2 terms (1967 -77) and no other siblings joined politics. Dr Jack did not object his 3 daughters marriages to non catholics In honouring others we honour ourselves The collaborated efforts under the leadership of Dr.Jack cannot be wished away by parochial considerations .Goans wonder why an individual bent upon obliterating the unique identity and Goan heritage is glorified in comparison The historical aberrations needs correction Nelson Lopes Chinchinim Chinchinim https://lopesnel Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com