Goemkarponn desk
QUEPEM: In a big statement on Monday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has contributed to preserving the Hindu culture of Goa.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s rule was even in Coa. Many people tried their best to erase history. 450 years of Portuguese rule was limited to only a few Taluka’s,” CM said.
He said if we turn back the history pages, we will come to know that the Portuguese didn’t rule the whole of Gomantak.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has always worked to preserve Hindu culture in Goa. As of today, there are so many documents related to Goa which are in Portugal; I’ve instructed the Minister that they should contact the Ministry of External Affairs to get all documents back to Goa. If required, he can even go to Portugal and retrieve those documents,” he said.
CM was speaking at a function organized by the Directorate of Archeology on the occasion of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja.
Archeology Minister Subhash Phaldesai, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, former Deputy Chief Minister Babu Kavalekar and other dignitaries were present.
Earlier, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited Shivaji Maharaj’s temple built at the residence of MLA Subhash Faldesai and presented a wreath to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Later, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Faldesai said that the temples destroyed during the Portuguese rule would be rebuilt, and our efforts would be made to recreate the tradition and culture of Shivaji Raje times.
He further said that he would always be there for the conservation and beautification of this fort in future, and at Betul fort, every function will be celebrated which is related to Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.