Wednesday, October 14, 2009

da Gama Day

This year's Columbus Day in the US - Monday 12th October - made me wonder what ever happened to Vasco da Gama and his setting foot on India. As we know, Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 A.D. looking for India in the Asian continent. He overly underestimated the earth's circumference - so much so that he ended up in the Bahamas islands, almost 1/2 the earth away from India. However his life is celebrated widely.

And then we have Vaso da Gama - who set sail in search of trading with India - and landed up in Calicut on 20th May 1498. Bulls Eye!! But nobody cares for him today!

Is the new world saying: Nothing succeeds like failure ?!

True, Columbus' failure musta prodded, motivated and excited Vasco to try another route and finally reach his target. Whatever the case - can we have a da Gama Day on May 20th every year - to celebrate the success of Vasco, and give him his rightful due?

Swasti!!
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1 comment:

  1. ShobanaTue Oct 27, 03:34:00 AM 2009

    Hmm, I think India would have to celebrate such a day. I don't think US really cares in the large scheme of things that India was discovered. May be they should, considering the current economy! :)

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