Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Canacona Patrakar Sangh (CPS) marked Patrakar Din by celebrating the contribution of traditional farmers and observing the death anniversary (Punyatithi) of freedom fighter and journalist Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak at the paddy fields of Gulem in Canacona.
As part of the programme, the portrait of Lokmanya Tilak was garlanded in tribute to the nationalist leader, social reformer and founder of the newspapers Kesari and The Maratha.
The highlight of the event was the felicitation of ten veteran farmers from Gulem and Chapoli villages in recognition of their decades-long contribution to agriculture. Among those honoured were two nonagenarians, four octogenarians and a senior woman farmer, acknowledging their lifelong dedication to preserving traditional farming practices.
The farmers felicitated were Ram Velip, Panglo Velip, Pangodo Gaonkar, Kantu Gaonkar, Ghatu Velip, Fondu Velip, Parvathi Gaonkar, Chandrakant Gaonkar, Ganesh Velip and Bangdu Gaonkar.
Shristhal Village Panchayat members Nilesh Gaonkar and Ganesh Gaonkar attended the programme and spoke about the invaluable contribution and sacrifices made by the farming community.
CPS President Babesh Borkar welcomed the gathering, while senior journalist Ajit Poinguinkar delivered a talk on the role and challenges of journalism in the present times. Photojournalist Soiru Komarpant and journalist Narayan Desai highlighted Lokmanya Tilak’s contribution to society and his association with journalism. The programme was compered by journalist Sanjay Komarpant.
In a symbolic gesture of respect, journalists present sought the blessings of the elderly farmers, recognising their enduring service to agriculture.
