Flying coffins

Last week was tragic for Goa and I'm sure it must have made moist the eyes all blue-blooded Goans, instantly. First, came the news that Wing Cdr Oswald de Abreu had perished in an IAF MIG-27 crash at his Hashimara base in West Bengal, and the very same day, Rohidas Shetgaokar, the cabbie from Morjim who was brutally assaulted by a Russian 'businessman' a week ago had breathed his last at the GMC.

Oswald was a contemprary of mine both in school at Don Bosco's and at Dhempe's. I do not qualify to be called his 'friend' because we completely lost contact with each other after leaving college. I wasn't even aware that he had joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) until, by a strange coincidence, we bumped into each other on the streets of Panjim as recently as in December 2009. During that brief five-minute conversation, he seemed an extremely satisfied and proud member of our defence forces. He even told me that he was "doing exceedingly well" and was due for a promotion soon. So, when the news of his tragic death came in on Tuesday evening, it was indeed a shock. But, it's not my personal tryst with Osie that has inspired me to pen these lines. Rather, it's the thought that my tribe has shamefully failed this valiant son of Goa, by being mute spectators at the ceremony held at INS Hansa to induct another variant of the MIG -- MIG-29 -- into the Indian Navy, instead of grilling the big guns there on the 'flying coffins'.

Around the same time that Wing Cdr Oswald de Abreu was being given the final adieu at St Inez church and cemetry, the country's Defence Minister AK Antony was waxing eloquence about the MIGs and of plans to buy more of these for the Indian Navy at INS Hansa-Dabolim where all and sundry from the fourth estate lapped it all up with not a word on the aircrafts which have for long come to be called 'flying coffins'.

Rahul: Flatters to deceive?

Over the last year or so, there has been so much hype and hoopla about Rahul Gandhi's reforms in the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the grand old party's frontal organisations which he commandeers as the 'crown prince' and AICC general secretary. Indeed, his road-shows, unconventional methodologies in enrolling new members or electing office-bearers, etc., etc., were seemingly a refreshing change from the Congress party's lethargic reliance on political heirs. Unfortunately, however, at the crucial final bend he has faltered....err.... flattered to deceive.

When it came to breasting the tape, Rahulji just dumped all the fundas and embraced the long-followed doctrine in his political party -- handpick a 'political heir' for the top prize.

Last week came the news that Rajiv Satav, an MLA from Maharashtra has been 'appointed' the IYC chief. Quite a dampner from all the hype and hoopla generated by Rahulji with his 'democratic processes' including the 'Aam Admi ka Sipahi' programme. Yet, it could still have been admirable if Satav was the son of an 'aam admi' or of the ilk of Kalavati, the farm widow whose cause he so eloquently espoused in Parliament, during the debate on the N-deal confidence vote. Instead, it turns out that Satav comes from this new caste that's come to dominate India, its politics, society, economy, etcetera, etcetera -- POLITICIANS. His mother, Rajnitai Satav, is a former minister of Maharashtra. What an anti-climax!

Unsung hero

It's over a month since he passed away and barring a condolence meet and a few other elougies, there has been not much said about this illustrious son of Goa. Dr Bailon de Sa, was indeed a man of great achievements. I've not known him from too close except for a couple of chance meetings, but I admired the guts of the man who literally ploughed a lone farrow and stood his ground against the might of a Chief Minister in a fight that he unfortunately lost to retain the 'independence' of the Institute Menezes Braganza.

To recall that bout of the late 1990s, the state government abruptly issued a 'decree' that it was taking over the Institute Menezes Braganza. The unsavoury sequel to this was a stiff but unsuccessful resistance to the move put up by Dr de Sa. The government explained that it was taking over the institute ostensibly because it was "tying up with colonial forces" (sic) apparently because the insitute had inked a deal with Fundacao Oriente to renovate the edifice. Months later the government itself tied up with the Macao-funded Fundacao Oriente to refurbish the Police headquarters, Customs House, old High Court building and many more such projects!!

Not many know the real story that provoked the administration of the day to take the drastic step of taking over the Institute. As a greenhorn journo then, I was assigned the story by my boss at The Navhind Times. Thus I was privy to the real provocation for the government's decision which was: Dr Bailon de Sa's refusal to part with the Institute's piano which the then Chief Minister had requested be shifted to the Kala Academy. And, a whole cabinet just watched as mute spectators when the CM had his way, like a copy-book despot.

Dr de Sa may have lost that battle with judiciary giving the government's decision a stamp of approval by 'dismissing' his writ petition, but he nevertheless displayed the guts that we Goans so often lack to stand up against the powers that be for a cause. Unfortunately, not one luminary who called themselves friends of Dr de Sa had the onions to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him and be counted in the fight against the CM and his government. On the contrary, some connived with the enemy and meekly accepted positions to manage the institute after the government took it over!