PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the State missed three Five-Year Finance Commission Plans as it was Liberated 14 years after India’s Independence, but every government contributed a lot for the development of the State during post-Liberation period.
Addressing the gathering at the 78th State-level Goa Revolution Day celebration held at Azad Maidan, Panjim, Sawant said that the government intends to encourage Goan youth in research and innovation and therefore had laid thrust on creating robust infrastructure and created the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chair in Goa University. The Chief Minister further mentioned that due care is being taken so that the youth should not lag behind in any sector of human endeavour.
Paying tributes to the freedom fighters, the Chief Minister said, “We are indebted to them and recall their supreme sacrifices. The government celebrates various important dates of Goa’s Liberation movement so that the present generation is made aware about the contribution of these freedom fighters and that the government has incorporated this aspect into the school curriculum.”
The Chief Minister claimed that Cuncolim Revolt was the first revolt against the colonial rulers across the country and that the State is now paying tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on July 15, every year.
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai said, “Celebrations such as the Goa Revolution Day should be a day for introspection, as the occasion reminds us to review the progress and development achieved in various sectors.”
Pillai said, “Even today we follow the ideals of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, father of nation Mahatma Gandhi and Deen Dayal Upadhyay.”
He stressed on conducting a comprehensive study on Dr Lohia, who he said, came down to Goa and ignited the national spirit among the Goans.
He said, soon after Liberation, Goa has made remarkable development in every sector because of the high regard Goans had for social responsibility and their adherence to the values of communal harmony.
Pillai along with Sawant and other dignitaries laid wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial and paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Goa freedom struggle. The Goa Police troupe gave salute while, children from Bal Bhavan presented patriotic songs at the occasion.
Goa Daman and Diu Freedom Fighters Association president Rohidas alias Daad Desai expressed concern over the sale of drugs and prostitution in the name of tourism have portrayed Goa in bad light and there is a spree of sale of land to outsiders.
Freedom Fighter Libia shares inspiring stories of Goa’s struggle for liberation with CM