I landed in Goa in June 1962. In 1962, this story was very much alive. Now after approximately 50 years since my return, I can still recall the sense of outrage against the thugs of the Indian Army who did this dastardly deed. On the other hand, there was a view in circulation that this was a post battle incident and that victorious soldiers always went on rampages and an attempt was made to white wash the incident. Possibly this view was a planted view - I must confess I do not have any authentic or inside information whether this is true or not. Be it as that may, there was nevertheless quite some resentment about what had happened.
When I was in school, there was a lot of anti Indian feeling among the students. Like students would not stand when the National Anthem was sung. Disparaging remarks about the Indians were rampant. I hardly knew Portuguese, but many in my class in a Panjim school took great pleasure in singing Jana Gana Mana este gaja sacana ......(I am sorry if the words offend the sensibilities of some readers, but I am merely quoting facts as I remember them) However six years down the line, when I changed my role from a student to a teacher, patriotism was the flavour of the day with all the national days being celebrated with gusto and pride. The anti Indian attitude of the students has now disappeared. This could be the result of the many programmes organized by schools at the instance of the Department of Education and also because the present day students are distanced from the events prior to and during liberation. -- ** "Tony de Sa" < tonydesa at gmail dot com > ** --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------