Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: The 134th birth anniversary of the Father of Goan Nationalism Dr. Tristao Braganza Cunha was commemorated by the Indian National Congress and Goencho Ekvott at a function at Cansaulim.
GPCC General Secretary Captain Viriato Fernandes, GPCC Treasurer Orville Dourado Rodrigues, South Goa District President Savio D’Silva, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott President Agnelo Rodrigues, Congress leader Olencio Simoes, Velsao Sarpanch Diana Maria Gouveia, Panch Rudhika Ashlina, Ex-Panch Camilo Fernandes, District Member Peter Fernandes, Youth Congress Working President Mandar, Jawahar Bal Manch Chairperson Raposo and a large number of villagers were present.
Olencio Simoēs states that T.B Cunha is a true son of the soil who fought for Goa’s freedom since 1928 irrespective of class, creed or religion he belongs to. Cunha formed the Commission do Congressi de Goa (Goa Congress Committee) in 1928 and then affiliated with the Indian National Congress in 1938 with the sole objective of liberating Goans from Portuguese rule.
He was also instrumental in publishing a newspaper called Free Goa and he was the first civilian to be court-martialed and sentenced to an 8-year Jail and subsequently deported to Peniche Fortress in Portugal.
Simoes stated that it is said that Dr T.B. Cunha has lost his relevance by the day nor the government has given him his due but on the contrary, we are glorifying others who have done nothing for Goans freedom struggle.
Simoes also demanded that the government give state recognition and install a life state at the Assembly Complex
