Family Tree

Interview  Questions  &  Answers

Questions  &  AnswersHow  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.

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>.

Research Notes

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.  

Narrative

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.  

 

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 Willy’s jeep.This jeep was used in world war two by American soldiers. Some of these vehicles

have been converted into jeepneys in Philippines.

Author’s Note

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.

Reflection

Pictures of freedom fighters of Goa