Alleged neglect of Vasco Da Gama’s death anniversary draws flak

Former Kochi Mayor laments lack of commemoration for Vasco Da Gama's 500th death anniversary, highlighting historical significance.

Former Kochi Mayor K.J. Sohan has lamented the general lack of historical sense of society and the failure of the authorities in not organising programmes to commemorate the 500th death anniversary of legendary Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama who remains buried at St. Francis Church in Fort Kochi.

Other than a painting competition organised at the office of India Tourism near the Fort Kochi bus stand, no function was held to mark the occasion on Tuesday.

“Whatever be his legacy, Vasco Da Gama the sailor changed the course of the world by discovering the sea route to India in 1498. The pepper he bought from Kannur and took back to Portugal sent the whole of Europe into a tizzy. It triggered a flurry of trade by sea. Had Gama managed to strike a deal with the Kozhikode emperor during his first visit, then history would have taken a different course. He came to India twice more and died here during his third voyage,” said Mr. Sohan who recalled that in the past events such as placing of wreaths were organised to mark the occasion.

Sources in the District Tourism Promotion Council said that the occasion was not marked in their annual calendar, and that no one pointed out the need to organise a function to commemorate the occasion. “We will definitely take an initiative if there arise such a demand in the future,” they added.

Meanwhile, grand functions are reportedly under way at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon where Gama’s remains were repatriated from Kochi in 1539.