PANJIM: A conference held at the Portuguese consulate on Saturday to discuss the impact on Goa as regards the Iberian nation discarding monarchy in preference to Republic status, exactly hundred years ago, witnessed a number of Goan experts in various fields drawing a clear picture of the event in its centenary year. They maintained that the political transition in Portugal brought in major changes in the life of Goans, especially women.
The noted historian, Mr Percival Noronha speaking on the topic, ‘The little Republicans’ maintained that initially only a couple of Catholics and few Hindus from Margao as well as Ponda displayed enthusiasm about the Republic status of Portugal. “However, subsequently the locals who were dominated by select few saw the advantages of the new political system,” he stated, pointing out that a number of personalities in Goa and Portugal had in fact, acted as catalysts for this political system.
“The Portuguese prime minister, Marques De Pombal, who introduced large social and economic reforms and had given special attention to Goa, Daman and Diu regions, and Dr Francisco Luis Gomes, who supported liberty, justice and impartiality, were in the forefront as far as vision for Republic Portugal was concerned,” Mr Noronha stated, pointing out that in Goa, people like governor Horta e Costa, Justice Siuram Rau, Suriaji Rau, Justice Antonio Floriano de Noronha, Ramchandra alias Dada Vaidya and Sitaram Quercar campaigned for Republic Portugal.
Observing that under Republic Portugal, development in Goa ranged from construction of Campal Avenue to setting up of schools, Mr Noronha further stated that Dr Antonio de Oliveira Salazar put the things in order in Portugal, including bringing in discipline in the economic status of the country.
The senior advocate, Mr Manohar Usgaoncar, speaking on ‘The Republic and its impact on the family law’ said that three family laws were passed in Portugal immediately after the country became Republic on October 5, 1910, namely Marriage Law, Divorce Law and law for Protection of Children, which acted like pillars for families. “Subsequently, Portuguese Constitution was introduced in 1933 and more legislations as regards Portuguese colonies were later enacted,” he noted.
Mr Usgaoncar further observed that it is to the credit of the Republic of Portugal that uniform family laws were implemented in Goa. “Unlike in Britain, the Civil Code prepared by Portugal was applicable to all communities,” the senior advocate stated, mentioning that the Portuguese laws helped us to know the Portuguese legal system as it operated in Goa. “The dream of the Article 44 of the Indian Constitution finds itself satisfied in Goa vis-à-vis Portuguese laws existing in the state,” he concluded.
The noted writer, Dr Fatima Gracias, delivering an address on ‘Goan woman under the Portuguese Republic’ observed that the new political system changed the outlook of Goan women and brought them in contact with world outside their home. “It helped transformation of women in Goa,” she reiterated. Speaking about Goa, Dr Gracias said that annulling 12 years as the proposed age of marriage for girls as per the Portuguese Civil Code, the Republic political system in Portugal raised it between 18 and 21.
“Republic Portugal also witnessed equality of sexes as far as inheritance was concerned, and increase in the number of girls going to Goan primary schools between the period 1910 and 1950,” she stated, adding that the Goan families further started thinking about better education for girls and careers for them in fields like medicine, pharmacy and nursing.
The director of the Xavier Centre for Historical Research, Fr Delio Mendonca, speaking on the topic ‘The Republic and the Church’ said that immediately after the end of monarchy in Portugal, the churches, convents and monasteries in Portugal suffered attacks and destruction, as the power of Church ended and Catholicism was no more the state religion of Portugal. “Soon the anti-clerical movement started in Portugal, with the importance of religious orders reduced substantially, and Catholic symbols removed from the public offices, public places and schools,” he informed, pointing out that in Goa however, the Church and the state did not get separated though the church discourses became more moderate. Other religions attracted respect and Catholic symbols went out of the government offices.
The librarian at the city Central Library, Ms Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa, discussing ‘The proclamation of the Portuguese Republic and the Goan press’ said that news about Portugal turning Republic took time to travel to Goa and local Portuguese language newspapers published related reports after receiving the information by telegram service. “In Goa, the development was proclaimed at night after a high level meeting was attended by the last monarchical Governor of Goa, Jose Maria de Sousa Horta E Costa at the Adil Shah’s Palace and then ‘A Portuguesa,’ popularly known as ‘Heróis do mar,’ which is the National Anthem of Portugal was sung in the city with copies of the lyrics distributed to the public,” she informed, adding that “people then went around the city singing to the accompaniment of band.” It was also informed that the portrait of King Dom Manuel as well as the symbol of Portuguese crown was removed from the Adil Shah’s Palace.
Later, senior advocate, Mr Fernando Colaco read out a letter written by his relative, a 16-year-old Goan boy, Bernardino Joao Salvador Gracias, on October 4, 1910, from Lisbon, describing the revolution which overthrew monarchy in Portugal. The director of Instituto Camoes, Dr Delfim da Silva moderated the conference. (NT)
4 comments:
Perhaps we now need the Republic of Portugal to come back to Goa to bring back the "RULE OF LAW".All the current 40 Dictators practising their trade in the Legislature at Campal should be carted off to Dubai and put under Sharia Law and given errand jobs to run Goan Events in the "name of God" such as, The St Marys Sodality.
The St Marys Sodality is the ideal place for these 40MLA`s.Inthe name of Goa they can rule for the "few" corrupt Goans and exclude the "many" decent ones.
Perhaps Anthony Gongret, Rafael and Bernard could also benefit.
Yes N.Fernandes, all the 40 chors should be sent to Dubai with theie leader Cowmuth and they should be named Gongrets, not Congress. If these 40 chors are sent to Dubai, they will disappear in no time, because Judas is just waiting to sell them off one by one. If they are left to stay in Dubai, Judas knows that they will be after his skeletons in the cupboard. All cut-throats.
We will celebrate the Liberation day on 19th of December like every year since 1962. What a shame, we are not yet liberated from our bondage to the politicians and goondas of Goa. You need to be a slave or chamcha of politicians or bureaucracy to get your work done. You are forced to be the slave of our own system because the system works on corruption.
We were better under Salazar and of course Portuguese rule. The state of Goa would have not turned to the present days situation if Portuguese Rule was there. There was equality for everyone but presently, everyone is equal if your hand is glued tot he politicians pocket.
What a shame, you can even draw a caste certificate in Goa to certify that you are OBC to avail of benefits and the eyes of the Government are shut. Take the example of one Gonzaco in the Margao Municipal elections who overnight became OBC to contest election as the ward was reserved for OBC candidate. What a shame!!!
Dubai is too good a place for these guys. With all the money they presently own, they would live a luxurious life in Dubai. They ought to be put in one shipping container and thrown from the train in the desert between Alcobar and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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