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Even five hundred years after Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama set
foot in India and opened the sea route to India for Europe, the
bitterness of the past is not forgotten in Panaji.
Portugal's efforts to have a high profile celebration in
collaboration with India, has drawn some sharp reactions in Goa,,
where European colonialism had its longest stint of 451 years.
Portuguese history puts down Vasco da Gama as the "discoverer" of
the sea route to India, after he arrived at Kozhikode in May 1498.
But his discovery is being questioned, considering that Arab and
other traders were aware of the sea route to India long before. In
1510, with the help of a disgruntled local Hindu chieftain, another
Portuguese explorer Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa, allowing
Lisbon to rule here till its forcible ouster in 1961. Now, Goan
freedom-fighters have opposed any attempt by India to join
Portugal's celebration of the event, which some argue, heralded the
beginning of European colonialism in Asia.
The Goa government has so far maintained a low silence on how it
will participate in the celebrations in May 1998. Panjim contends
that India's relations with Lisbon are now very friendly.
The Left-backed Kerala state government has sent out disapproving
signals about the year-long celebrations targeted mainly around
Kerala and Goa, two regions with which Portugal had long links.
Many groups in the country especially Kerala,
Gujarat and Goa, freedom fighters, political parties and even
alternate Christian groups. in Sri Lanka have opposed the
Portuguese plans, giving it a Columbus-like twist.
Some have linked the arrival of European colonialism with current
economic problems in the Third World, even demanding restitution
for the losses and setbacks of colonial rule. Meanwhile, in a
statement released in Panaji, the head of the Lisbon-based
Commemorations of Portuguese Discoveries Antonio Hespanha argued
that the celebrations were aimed at clearing past
"misunderstandings" and bettering Indo-Portuguese ties.
Joint exhibitions on Indian jewellery, cotton art in Portugal and
photography have been planned, besides the prestigious global
exhibition International Expo '98 in Lisbon which will showcase the
culture of the Indian Ocean. Some historians argue that it would
be particularly embarrassing for the Indian government to be seen
as joining a venture which could have colonial overtones,
particularly as the nation gears up for the 50th anniversary of its
Independence.
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