Pradeep Lawande
In the year 1683, Maratha King Sambhaji tried to invade the city of Goa which was under Portuguese rule then. The Portuguese viceroy was terribly frightened seeing the huge Maratha Forces that encircled the City. He then along with his few companions instantly rushed to the nearby Basilica Church wherein the sacred body of Saint Francis Xavier was kept. There, kneeling before the casket, the viceroy earnestly prayed that the people and land of Goa be protected from the onslaught that had just arrived.
At the very same time, king Sambhaji received a message that Moghuls had attacked some of the forts of Maratha dominion. Those forts carried great strategic importance. Hence the King gave up the plan of conquering Goa and immediately turned back towards his Kingdom along with all his troops.
Here the Portuguese rulers and the people of Goa felt that it was the grace of Saint Francis Xavier that made the miracle. And that because of this, the approaching catastrophe was avoided. From then onwards, people devoutly called Saint Francis Xavier as ‘Goencho Saib’!.
The above historic incidence was seen repeated after a long period of 278 years. In the third week of the month of December 1961, a sensational news was spread across Goa. During those days, means of communications were scant. The news was that Indian military was intending to enter Goa. At that time Manuel Antonio Vassalo D Silva was the Governor-General of Goa. He was kind hearted and peace loving person. In the evening of 17th of December 1961, the Governor visited a place called Mavlinge which was the border between India and Portuguese – Goa then. The Governor was shocked when he saw from distance that the whole mountain of that frontier was filled with Indian army. He soon returned to Panaji and requested the people in the Capital to move to Old Goa with candles in hands. On that night, this kind gentleman earnestly prayed before the casket of Goencho Saib to Protect Goa and its people. That day was Sunday.
The following day was Monday, 18th Dec. 1961. In the morning of this day, the whole Goa except Panaji was liberated from the foreign yoke. That day, the air of land was filled with slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jai Hind”. The next day was Tuesday, 19th Dec. On this auspicious day capital Panaji was freed. This is why 19th December is regarded as the Liberation Day of Goa.
Goa was liberated overnight. Such incidents are seldom found in the annals of History. Without shedding a drop of blood, Goa was liberated. Goans slept in one Era and then woke up in another! All, including the Governor General felt then that it was indeed the grace of Goencho Saib!
About six years after independence, Goa witnessed opinion poll. This was the first and hitherto the only political experiment of our Country. Opinion poll was not any ordinary election. It was a ‘trial by fire’ of two Principles. And in that ‘Agnipariksha’, the niz Goemkars were victorious. Again a revolution was brought about without shedding a single drop of blood. Many people said then, “Saint Francis has saved Goa”!
Along with Christians numerous Hindus have trust in Goencho Saib. They light candles and make appeals before him. Faith is all powerful. That is why Lord Jesus had rightly said, “Faith can move mountains”!