JC's response to Vasant Baliga (VB) Dear Vasantbab .....Thank you for the courtesy of your well thought out response. My own thoughts are interspersed.
VB [1]: The military takeover of Goa was, in my opinion, wrong and misplaced and was contrary to India's professed foreign policy at that time-Nehru spoiled the global image of India for temporary political gain and perhaps to divert public attention from other pressing matters. JC [1]: Professed policies and lip service having been noted, 1961 was an opportune time to divert attention from the other issues facing the populace especially as a general election loomed. Politicians have only one goal i.e. re-election. That is the only method of retaining power, influence and amassing wealth while producing this drama about 'service' and 'democratic will of the people'. -- VB [2]: Although Salazar was adamant against negotiation on Goa,sooner or later Portugal would have negotiated-subsequent events proved that with the collapse of his fascist dictatorship in the mid seventies and the Carnation revolution. JC [2]: If one really believes in democracy, one should start with consulting the people for whom 'decisions' are being made. Neither Salazar nor Nehru sought to engage Goans in discussions about their future. So, I ask, what democracy? -- VB [3]: Democracy has it’s flaws,but is the only system where a robustly free press, independent judiciary and periodic elections hold people accountable.Dictatorship of any kind can never be a substitute. JC [3]: Democracy is like Milk. Milk is available as Full Fat, 2%, 1% and Fat Free. So also, Democracy. Politicians control funds and licensing of news-media (until recently, even news-print was controlled). The Judiciary at the top is usually principled - but one needs to have money and good legal advice to overcome the hurdles in the lower rungs. And then, we have unscrupulous lawyers -- VB [4]: The PM is personally honest but presides over a corrupt Cabal. Goa suffers in this regard,like the rest of India and has it's share or more of dishonest politicians. JC [4]: But are the members of the 'cabal' not the one's who have been elected by the process termed as 'democracy'? As far as 'dishonest politicians' are concerned, are you aware of any corrupt Goa politicians (and civil administrators) in the first 60 years of the 20th century? What happened thereafter? -- VB [5]: Now as regards development of Goa from 1961 onwards-it presently has the third highest per capita income of Rupees 1,06,000,just behind Delhi and Chandigarh. JC [5]: The per capita income for Goa was always higher than for Indian States - Such data and figures are skewed (Gaussian distribution) and would benefit from a study of the folks in the middle 95% -- VB [6]: In the Sixties there was no electricity and water supply in the villages and hardly any pucca road connectivity. Literacy is now at 80% as opposed to 30% in 1961. Healthcare access as also telecommunications and road connectivity have also vastly improved. JC [6] Considering that 'water supply' is different from 'availability of water', I would suggest that the vast majority of Goans had more than enough clean drinking well water in 1960. The other indicators (I hope) have also commensurately increased (with time) in Karwar, Sawantvadi, Hubli, North Kanara and Ratnagiri. -- VB [7]: There is no dire poverty in Goa, as we know it, as compared to the rest of India. JC [7]: If true, No difference from 1960 -- VB [8]: Portugal did not invest adequately in Goa's infrastructure-the British did pay attention to India's infrastructure. JC [8]: You mean to suggest that Portugal did not build schools, hospitals, non-collapsing bridges and flood-drainage systems (as in Panjim)? I, for one, would have thought that compared to what resources and wealth Britain took from India, Britain did near-nothing for India. We all know, do we not .....WHO swiped the funds belonging to the sons and daughters of the SOIL? Enough for one day from me (:-) jc * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Goa-launch of the well-received *Into The Diaspora Wilderness* by Selma Carvalho on Aug 29, 2010 (Sunday) at 11 am at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Meet the author, buy a signed copy (only Rs 295 in Goa till stock lasts). http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/