In the last week, political parties have been jockeying for ownership of Dayanand Bandodkar’s legacy. The man whose name was a giant by political stature. For that reason, this author is diffident to make comparisons or comment on anyone who spoke for or against Bandodkar for fear it would belittle the great man’s life and work.
Bandodkar played a prominent role in Goa’s struggle for liberation from Portuguese rule and played a key role in the State’s development after its Liberation. Bandodkar was the undisputed first Chief Minister of Goa, serving from 1963 to 1973. There are many obsequious identities that his name brings to mind in Goa. Goa held its first election in 1963 with all the fairness, integrity, and competence it required. The movement for the new era was led by the Bahujan Samaj – a first of its kind in the country.
Eminent political scientists and thinkers have defined Goa’s post-colonial era of freedom and development as overlapping with “India’s First Democratic Revolution”. His leadership in the struggle for Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule came with backing from Jawaharlal Nehru, and later from Indira Gandhi. Bandodkar was inclusive in building post-colonial Goa by constructing political alliances with Goan leaders from all parties, but notably the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
Bandodkar was not born into wealth. His one and only preoccupation was the people, and their progress. He was a lower-caste mine owner and philanthropist whose reputation emanated from his achievements and who remained humble throughout, living a simple and down-to-earth life. Known for his clean and incorruptible image, he earned the respect and admiration of the people of Goa.
Bandodkar faced significant personal challenges during Goa’s struggle for independence from Portuguese rule. A cruel Portuguese colonial set-up persecuted non-Christians. Torture met anyone who dissented. Bandodkar aspired to equity for all people and, post-liberation, he worked to restore Goan identity, self-respect, and dignity. As a leader in the anti-colonial struggle, he aspired to reverse the maltreatment and return to Goans their rights and dignity.
His leadership focused on promoting education, healthcare, and economic development in the State. Viewing education as vital to the future, he established several schools, colleges, and institutions, including Goa University.
Bandodkar recognised that without adequate attention to industrialisation and agriculture, Goa’s development would be at stake. He added tourism as a way to boost Goa’s economy. Infrastructure development did not lag behind, and he initiated projects for roads, bridges, and water supply systems. The Dayanand Bandodkar Memorial Award is presented annually to recognise outstanding contributions to Goa’s development.
Bandodkar recognised the need for better healthcare infrastructure in Goa. He initiated several projects to build hospitals, dispensaries, and healthcare centres across the state. He believed that access to medical care was a fundamental right. Bandodkar worked to ensure that medical care was available and affordable for all, regardless of their economic background. He set up hospitals, dispensaries, and healthcare centres across the State. Today, Goa can boast of having among the best primary health care services in the public sector. He launched initiatives to promote awareness about family planning, nutrition, and disease prevention.
Bandodkar encouraged industrialisation in Goa, recognising its potential to create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth. He implemented initiatives to promote agricultural development, including irrigation projects, soil conservation, and crop diversification. Bandodkar saw tourism as a vital sector for Goa’s economic growth, including the development of infrastructure, marketing, and conservation of natural resources.
Bandodkar was passionate about promoting Konkani culture, language, and traditions. He encouraged the use of Konkani in education, literature, and administration. He also recognised the importance of preserving Goa’s historical sites, including forts, temples, and churches. He initiated projects to conserve these sites and promote cultural tourism. Bandodkar encouraged the preservation and promotion of Goa’s folk arts, including music, dance, and crafts. He supported local artists and artisans, helping to keep these traditions alive.
Bandodkar believed in empowering marginalised communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. He initiated programmes to promote their social and economic upliftment. He was a visionary and, long before the current crop of political leaders in the entire country, recognised the importance of women’s empowerment in education, employment, and politics, and implemented initiatives to promote their welfare and safety. Bandodkar shunned social injustice and inequality and worked to eradicate untouchability and caste-based discrimination.
Bandodkar understood the importance of preserving Goa’s natural resources long before it was a popular global or national issue. He implemented measures to protect these resources and promote sustainable development. He initiated projects to build dams, canals, and water supply systems, ensuring that clean water was available for all.
Bandodkar was a firm believer in secularism, harmony, and coexistence among people of different religions and communities. Future generations of Goans who aspire to recreate a just and inclusive society will do well to study his political philosophy so that a new Goa of justice, with probity in public life, and holistic visions of renewal will reemerge. It is said that towards the end of his life, he became intolerant of the mediocrity in public life and resorted to tough measures that people unfairly described as autocratic. To him, indolence was unacceptable in public life.
When he died in 1973, it is said that people in remote corners of Goa locked their houses to join his mass funeral to bid goodbye to this visionary leader. Will we ever see another Bandodkar in our times?
(Solomon is a writer and human rights activist)
