Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The Balram Charitable Trust on Wednesday handed over the keys of its 74th Shram-Dham house to widow Kesar Gaonkar and her son Kishen Gaonkar at Amone in Poinguinim village, providing the family with a permanent home after years of living in a one-room thatched hut.
The house was constructed under the Shram-Dham initiative spearheaded by Tribal Welfare Minister and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar. The mother-son duo had been residing in a small hut in difficult conditions when the Trust took up the project four months ago.
Addressing the gathering during the housewarming and key handover ceremony, Tawadkar said Shram-Dham volunteers, local residents of Amone and members of the Gaonkar family joined hands to complete the house in a record two months.
Designed by Shram-Dham engineer Vinay Tubki, the house has been built on a 70-square-metre plot and comprises a verandah, hall, bedroom and kitchen. The project was completed with the cooperation of neighbouring families, enabling the beneficiaries to move into a safe and dignified dwelling.
Tawadkar formally inaugurated the house by cutting a ribbon and handing over the keys to Kesar and Kishen Gaonkar in the presence of Poinguinim Sarpanch Savita Tawadkar, engineer Vinay Tubki, trustees of the Balram Charitable Trust and local residents.
He noted that the family had been facing financial hardship since the death of Kesar Gaonkar’s husband, Vithoba Gaonkar, who worked as a driver and passed away more than two decades ago. Relatives, neighbours and residents of Amone contributed voluntary labour, with many dedicating nearly 15 days of service to help complete the project.
“Constructing Shram-Dham houses is a prime example of humanity, brotherhood and community spirit. It reflects the noble tradition of people coming together to support families in need,” Tawadkar said.
He informed that four more Shram-Dham houses are nearing completion and announced an ambitious plan to lay foundation stones for 100 Shram-Dham houses on a single day after the monsoon season.
“Our Shram-Dham warriors derive immense satisfaction from helping fellow citizens secure a decent place to live. This initiative continues to strengthen the spirit of collective service and social responsibility,” Tawadkar added.
