Dr. Olinto de Sousa's Speech
© 2003, A.D., P.J. Mascarenhas, Goa Livre Organisation
Address Delivered By Dr. Olinto de Sousa, Far East Delegate, To The Goan Conference, Paris
Mr. President,
Members of the Committee,
Fellow-Goans:
It is really my pleasant duty to be here this evening and I would like to congratulate the President for, first of all, having been elected the President, and I believe he is the most worthy President we have amongst us (Cheers).
I would also like to thank Mr. Antonio da Fonseca who has been travelling far and wide to invite all of us to come here. If any one of us had entertained any doubts that this meeing and Movement would be a failure I am sure by now they have definitely made up their minds that it can be nothing but a success. (Cheers).
After you have heard such eleoquent speeches both from the Chairman and others who followed him I am sure what I am going to say is going to be very mild but nevertheless just as sincere as my predecessors. So I would like you to bear with me in what I have to say. We have assembled here from far flung parts of the globe and many eyes are upon us. We are small in number drawn from all small communities orginating from a small but dearly loved home — GOA &#: andour love for that dear home is strong because it does not depend upon power but on a tender yet intensively powerful force — LOVE!
Love, my dear brothers, is not imposed on any one, it grows spontaneously and rises from the heart. Our deliberations here today may be observed by many and it is not for us for us to try and please anyone or other party except the dictates of our own conscience. (Cheers).
With such an obligation imposed upon us let us search our hearts and carefully and deliberately and before man and before God declare our innermost feelings on what may be an important decision for the future. In this way, we owe a duty first of all to our brethren all over the world and then to the memory of our forefathers from whom we have all come. We have yet another one to those who will come after us. Their memory and their presence observe us and to all ofthem I do humbly but proudly offer genuince andsincere salutations. Let us not fear then to speak openly and wholeheartedly about that which we feel compelled to unburden to all in the world who would listen to us. Our memories should goback to a time when the world was filled with fear and foreboding and when great men offered to mankind the contents of a document which was to guide the world. I recall the general elation of that clarion call that went forth to the world when the Atlantic Charter was announced. Among the purposes of that document was a right of each people to have four freedoms and of this one on which we deliberate today is a right to the Government we desire. (Cheers).
Four and half centuries ago Portugal introduced into that corner of the world which we call our home a new form of administration. Besides that form of rule she also introduced new ideas, new visions and new thoughts. We are today after several generations an integral part of that new tradition. Our debt to Portugal then is a great one and looking back into the history we can invoke the names of men who made their mark in the annals of the world. You have heard from the past speakers how the Goans have gone all over the world and have spread culture of our country. Nevertheless, I would like to mention just two names: Francisco Luis Gomes, a great parliamentarian and whose work and presence in the Portuguese Parliament was so distinguished that he won the admiration and respect of the Metropolitan intellectuals and then Dr. Gama Pinto whose work as an Eye-Specialist was acclaimed among the greatest Ophthalmologists of his time.
These and many others like them whose names are welknown have helped to make the name of Goans a noble tradition. The memory of what they did and those who helped to do it serves as a reminder to us that our duty towards them is a serious one. There are Goans in many countries all over the globe who work hard at their various callings and they fill various places in various communities in which they live. What would they want us to do, what about their feelings about the future? I lay special emphasis on the sentiments of the men and women of my race who live in Hong Kong and all over the Far East. They will be observing, I am sure, with the most avid interest all that takes place here today and I wish to be able to carry back to them a message of encouragement and cheer. (Cheers).
I will not speak of the descendants of those who may have to face the future with divided loyalties if a mistake about their future should be perpetuated. Our obligations there are serious ones and we cannot hesitate to take upon ourselves the right to make a decision that will help many of our brethren. With the Almighty above to guide us and our hearts let us ponder carefully over what we have to do and deliberate and announce to the world a clear and an unequivocal request that we may be given the right — a right that was solemnly offered to all people, to seek SELF-DETERMINATION. (Cheers).
Thank you.