PANJIM: The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday announced to introduce the history of Goa Revolution Day (June 18, 1946) in the History textbook of Class XI from the next academic year.
Sawant was speaking at the State-level function of Goa Revolution Day at Martyrs’ Memorial at Azad Maidan, Panjim.
Addressing the demand of President of Goa Daman and Diu Freedom Fighter Association Gurudas Kunde, Chief Minister announced that history of Goa Revolution Day will be introduced in the textbook of Std XI History subject from the next academic year.
“Currently history of Goa Revolution Day is already included in the syllabus of Std IV of Gomantak Bhal Bhartiya textbook. But it is important that we teach the history even to higher secondary students,” he said.
Sawant said, “From this academic year onwards we have already introduced Cuncolim Revolt in the school curriculum.”
Assuring that no injustice will be done to freedom fighters, Chief Minister informed them that within one-and-half months, the pending pension of Freedom Fighters will be processed immediately.
He also said that all 100 applications of the children of freedom fighters pending with the State government will be disposed of within a year and applicants will be employed before June 18, 2024.
Earlier, Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai said that freedom is not only confined to political but also social and economic freedom.
“We can proudly say our system is developing day by day and our Indian Constitution is accepted as one of the finest in the world,” he said.
Pillai also recalled the contribution of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliao Menezes, who fought against the Portuguese regime and said their contribution should be passed on to the new generation.
Gurudas Kunde, President of Goa Daman and Diu Freedom Fighter Association raised concern over the sale of liquor in places of historical importance and forts. He said that government should immediately act as these places serves as temple of freedom struggle.
He also appealed to the government not to push the freedom fighters away or ignore them just because they don’t become part of vote bank.