Family Tree
Interview Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers How were you affected by the liberation of Goa? I have seen India become free in 1947. I was member of (RSS). Goa did have one branch of congress to make Goa also free from foreign rulers like Indians. My friend Kakkodkar was part of Azad Gomantak dal(free Goa party) working from Mumbai. We wanted to make Goa free. What was the emotional part of the liberation? When they were approaching Goa from the north east border, A jeep Nilled with Portuguese soldiers opened Nire on them and entered the chest of my friend. We were trying to hide in bushes but still in front of my eyes my friend got killed. When did you leave to go there? In the morning in 1962. What was the day like? It was a humid day in Goa with winds. What did it smell like? There was a salty smell of the sea wind. Was there a road? It was a jungle road. What was the color of the jeep? It was olive green with eight soldiers riding it. Was your friend wounded or did he die instantly. He died instantly and we ran away. Later we performed his last rites. Did the Portuguese soldiers shoot again at you as you ran away? Yes, they kept shooting at us. So the Portuguese soldier opened Nire everywhere and then they went out. What did you do after that? We decided to stay here to help Goa become free. After how many hours of walking did the jeep arrive? The jeep arrived after walking in the jungle for six hours. Was it painful hiding in the bushes? It was extremely painful because we stayed there for 2 days and got to eat only fruits and drink some water. We were waiting for our friends to join us before entering Panjim. What did you with your friends body? We cremated him and performed the last rites. Why didn’t you attack the jeep? We did not have guns. The only weapons we had were sticks and swords.
Research Notes Heckler and Koch G3 •Made in 1950s •Created in Germany •Made in Portugal under license •Used in Goa warfare Walther P38 •Created in 1942 •Semi automatic hand gun •Used in World War II •Portuguese Armed forces used it Willy’s Jeep •Used in world war 2 •Americans mostly used this jeep •Has a powerful four stroke engine. •Four wheel drive •Portuguese Army used it Walther P38." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Dec. 2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walther_P38> "Heckler & Koch G3." En.wikipedia.org. N.p., n.d. Web. <http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler_%26_Koch_G3> "Willys Jeep History (1941-1945)." Willys Jeep History 1941-1945. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://classic-car-history.com/willys-jeep.htm>.
Narrative
I stopped after a tiring walk to take a sip of water. A well-‐built friend named Kakkodkar was travelling with me. The sun was a blazing Nireball and my body sizzled as sweat evaporated off instantly. I was a crab being boiled in hot water and all I saw was miles of emerald green leaves. MagniNicent hedges and bushes surrounded me. “Take Cover!” Kakkodkar suddenly yelled. I took cover in the diamond sharp hedges. Immediately, I felt some razor edged needle like plants scratch my normally resistant skin. The agonizing pain was like a million needles bursting into my skin. The distant monotonous rumbling of an olive green jeep Nilled my ears.
I saw eight hefty soldiers orderly exit the jeep. They got out their Heckler and Koch G3
riNles and aimed them accurately at me. A robust soldier ordered with a brisk voice.” Go back to your country! You are not allowed to enter Goa!” I raised my hands up to show that I surrendered. Terrifying seconds later Kakkodkar Nlung his keen stone square into the face of a strongly built soldier. I stood still as another muscled man wearing a captain’s uniform marked by three bands, took out a deadly Walter P38 pistol and Nired at me. The dense lead bullet whizzed past my frail ear and missed me by a few minuscule centimeters. A soldier took aim as the Captain ordered, “Fire!” I stood still and could not move as the Ninger moved ready to pull the trigger. Kakkodkar burst out of nowhere and pounced on a soldier. Then, he sprinted at the speed of light towards the other.
The Walter’s muzzle Nlashed and the deafening sound hit my ears. Kakkodkar crumbled
onto the Nloor like an old rag doll. I lunged at the towering captain and savagely pummeled him.
He took the blows and tried to Nire again before I sent a savage blow to his head and knocked him out. Kakkodkar muttered, “ Go! Run away from this place! Go!” I did nothing except look around. Kakkodkar’s last word was ” Go!” I steadily buried the body and left. Panjim’s tall buildings loomed in the distance. All I could think of that day was courageous Kakkodkar and how he died to save my life. Kakkodkar gave his life away for his country. In my eyes he shall always be a freedom Nighter.
Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note The Walter P38 pistol mentioned in this narrative was semi automatic handgun manufactured in 1943. This side arm was used in Goa by Portuguese Soldiers. There is also a Heckler and Koch G3 rifle mentioned also used in Goa by Portuguese soldiers. It was manufactured in the 1950s. The jeep mentioned here is a typical 1950s Willyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jeep.This jeep was used in world war two by American soldiers. Some of these vehicles have been converted into jeepneys in Philippines.
Reflection My family has gone through the worst and best conditions. Also I did not know what my grandpa had been through in his life. Now I can talk to my grandpa more and socialize a lot with him. My identity was shrouded in mystery until this issue came up and broke through the wall.Projects like these help us connect to our families lot more. Before this I did not talk to my grandpa and did not get to know. Now I can talk to him and share more information to him. I enjoyed the researching the information as can see what other people think.
Pictures of freedom fighters of Goa