Goemkarponn desk
Panaji: After recently clocking a century of life packed with resilience and untold bravery, Goan freedom fighter and advocate Libia Lobo Sardesai, recently walked through the gates of the Aguad Port and Jail Complex. She revisited a chapter of her remarkable past that has contributed to Goa’s independent present, memories of which are preserved at the historical site.
Accompanied by ‘hands-on historian’ Sanjeev Sardesai, she was taken on a tour of the newly restored Sinquerim-based heritage site. It is home to the ‘Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People’, where the story of her incredible contribution to Goa’s struggle for freedom is showcased in interactive kiosks with gamified consoles.
The museum’s exhibits in ‘The Struggle’ section, showcase how Libia Lobo Sardesai, along with her late husband Vaman Sardesai, operated the secret radio station ‘Voice of Liberty’ from the jungles bordering Goa. Through animated descriptions, visitors can learn how this station helped broadcast and amplify messages related to the freedom movement in short, powerful snippets. She explored various kiosks at the museum, recalling memories she shared with freedom fighters and identifying key locations linked to Goa’s freedom struggle displayed on the console monitors.
Commenting on the ‘Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People’, Libia Lobo Sardesai said, “I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that people have preserved Goa’s history for future generations. Visitors to this place will be inspired by the rich history Goa has. Especially for the youth, it’s a reminder that whenever they have the chance to help others, they should never hesitate.”
Historian Sanjeev Sardesai echoed Mrs. Lobo Sardesai’s take on the significance of restoring historical sites like the Aguad Port and Jail Complex. “The Aguad Port and Jail Complex is a four-centuries-old heritage site with a history of fortitude, foresight and fearlessness. It is a fascinating example in Goa of an architectural wonder, which has a very profound history of torture, sacrifice and bravery of many satyagrahis fighting for release of Goa from the dictatorial, colonial clutches. It is a personal honour, to be in the presence of a famous Goan centenarian freedom fighter and advocate Libia Lobo Sardesai, as she visited the site,” he said.
Naveen Chopra, CEO of Waterfront Experiences, which operates the complex, expressed his pleasure at Libia Lobo’s visit to the heritage site. “We are privileged to have had the opportunity to welcome Libia Lobo Sardesai, a living embodiment of Goan history, to the Aguad Port and Jail Complex. Her visit brings a profound and personal connection to our site,” he said.
Even at 100 years, the enthusiasm and energy that Libia Lobo Sardesai exudes is surreal. Such is the charisma of the ‘OG’ RJ of the Portuguese-ruled Goa that even various tourists from Karnataka and Pune who were visiting Aguad at the time of her visit, could not stop themselves from greeting her and getting a few pictures taken with the physical embodiment of one of the most extraordinary chapters of Goan history.
“History was made here. This land is a reminder of all the sacrifices and struggles that have gifted us the sweet independence that we taste today. It evokes a great animation in my heart and I think it has added more years to my life, to put it briefly,” said Mrs. Lobo Sardesai.
The Aguad Port and Jail Complex, open to the public daily from 10 am to 8 pm, is a must visit destination for locals and tourists alike. It offers an immersive experience into the history of Goa’s freedom struggle and culture, with iconic stories like those of Libia Lobo Sardesai, forever preserved within its walls.
