If one thought some profound business of politics happens at
a national party’s national executive, here are some gems from chats with top
leaders in the BJP. Mind you, very top so take it seriously: Ninety per cent
speeches are repetitive…yawn…so what if only top leaders speak. Ninety per cent
attendance is good…so what if those missing include L K Advani, Uma Bharti,
Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh, Shatrughan Sinha. One leader is so bored inside
that he prefers to read on i-pad than focus on the proceedings. In his words he
is physically present, but mentally absent. Conclusion: video conferencing
would be better. Well, going by illnesses, it might become the norm.
***
You can not miss him. Not because he looms larger than life,
but for his contrariness. Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar presents a
refreshing change for a politician. No commandos, no hang ups. Have heard the
stories of his aam aadmi-ness. Like he flies cattle class, goes to buy fish on
his scooter even now. And then I get to see it with my own eyes. He has come to
the airport to receive his party's leaders. His motorcade is only of
two cars, but the one for other VIPs creates a commotion at the Airport.
Unassuming Parrikar gets down and helps the vehicles move back and forth. No
wonder even my Muslim driver Shabbir has a sense of ownership over his CM.
***
Goans, much like our Sorathias, love easy life. The day
starts not before 10 am, and then shuts down for an afternoon siesta. Except
for the tourism industry they call it a day early as well. In an idea of the
kind of weighty issues Goa Ministers must tackle, they are chief guests at
cooking contests. Here they make policy announcements like culinary skills need
to be improved, err further? Mushrooming casinos show the premium on good life.
There are big ads in papers saying Goa against
Casinos, but unperturbed, government has brought in a new legislation for even bigger
ones! Above, video of a spice plantation.
***
Shabbir tells of how a good numbers preferred to retain their
Portugese passports and have in fact migrated, leaving behind their costly real
estate, transfer of which is governed by State law. All of it is heritage now
lining the uptown Miramar Road Goa .
There is a writ pending in the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court against
hundreds of top government officials, including legislators, against their dual
citizenship Interestingly, though Indian law does not allow it, the present Goa
government is game for it. I ask Manohar Parrikar himself in the hotel lobby
while going through the newspaper and he laughs saying he too was born a
Portugese citizen! Left, Basilica of Bom Jesus, UN World Heritage.
***
***
Much of Catholic understanding among Indians is Goan, thanks to Bollywood. On the ground the place is as syncretic as one can get. Two examples of Hindu influence: use of Hindu temple style garlands to
adorn deities in churches, and roadside religiosity with crosses put up like
Hindu shrines. Extending the example of Goan syncretism is the mosque by Adil
Shah. Its architecture (right) would easily pass off as Hindu if one is specifically not told that
it’s a mosque. Goa is the only State of India
that has successfully running common civil code. Shabbir does not mind. He
feels it to be more of an enabler in Goa ’s
good communal relations than a differentiator. May his tribe increase.
***
Beaches and football in many ways define Goa .
So not unnatural to spot football on the beach. We might not hear a lot of the
Salgaokars and the Dempos in the post-Doordarshan era but football is alive,
and well, kicking in Goa . Mercifully, cricket
can take a back seat. After a piece-to-camera at the Miramar
