Mr. K N Gupta, a veteran journalist, who is still very active and committed to help the nation even at his age of 92 years.
On the occasion of the Goa Liberation Day and narrated the story how he had help to liberate Goa from Portuguese occupation.He told that I organize the Goa Freedom Movement from our senior RSS functionary Rajeshwar Nath’s house at Todar Mal Lane in New Delhi. as early as 1956-57.
I organised meetings with Goanese leaders like J.M.D’souza, Prof Pereira and our Indian Express colleague F.V. Roadriguese to free Goa. Mr D’souza , leader of Goan freedom movement apprised us of the Goan scenario and sought a pitiable sum of Rs ten lakhs only to procure arms to throw the Portuguese out as they were very timid to face freedom fighters. What a pity that our political leaders couldn’t get even this much support. I tried to persuade then Milap editor belonging to the Congress Party to arrange the required sum through his good offices with Mrs Indira Gandhi. A pity, our efforts failed. A few years later, we planned to send former RSS stalwart Vasant Rao Oak to lead a band of 51 karsevaks belonging to all parties to Goa and free it from the clutches of the Portuguese. Oak had come under fire from the Portuguese police, taking a bullet. He recovered just fine.
Before Vasant Rao left for Goa, I bid him farewell at the Old Delhi Delhi Railway Station with a gota garland. This was followed by a reception for Oak. Many years passed before Indian defence minister V.K.Menon decided to take action in December 1961 to free Goan from Portuguese rule. Nehru ji and Congress were afraid of the Western countries’ reaction to Indian action. Menon wanted to use his action to win brownie points for himself and the Congress . I felt very happy and relieved on this day in Mussoorie where I had gone soon after my marriage. December 20, 1961, was the Vijay Diwas when India won freedom after 451 years of Portuguese rule. Whenever I go to Goa now ,I feel very glad and tell the people there about our humble contribution to Goa’s freedom. I love Goa, and wish to visit Goa whenever I get an opportunity. My family too enjoys visiting and living in Goa.
after Oak returned to Delhi, we welcomed him back with a huge procession and a welcome reception near my home in Jogiwara. The likes of Satya Narain Bansal, a notable Sangh leader that would later succeed Hans Raj Gupta as Sanghchalak, was also present. Bansal happened to be the Managing Director of Bharat Prakashan, the publisher of both Organiser and The Motherland, and chosen as the Chairman of Delhi Municipal Corporation’s all-powerful Standing Committee.
Late Wing Com H. P (Parameshwara) Hande of the Indian Air Force, navigating a Canberra, was the first one to drop the bomb to free Goa from the Portuguese.
We as a family are proud that 5 out of the ten of us, are from the Armed Forces. Dr. H. V. Hande, brother of Parmeshwara says.
So there were many sailent freedom fighters who contributed a lot for the freedom of Goa. Mr. K N Gupta is one of those great solider who liberated Goa by his journalistic abil ities.
