Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai visited Libia Lobo Sardesai, a Goan freedom warrior and recipient of the Padma Shri award.
The Governor was proud of Lobo Sardesai’s Central Government recognition during his half-hour visit to Sardesai’s Panaji home, saying the honor is a worthy homage to her service to the country.
On behalf of Goa and the Central Government, the Governor congratulated her and wished her continuing good health and vigor.
Sardesai responded to the Governor’s generosity by attributing her success to divine favor. Even at this point in my life, I give thanks to God for my good fortune. All of this would not have been possible without God’s mercy, she remarked.
Regarding her role in the liberation movement in Goa, Sardesai stated, “I just did what came my way; I don’t think I did anything extraordinary.”
Her late husband, Vaman Sardesai, received the Padma Shri in 1992 and was also a diplomat.
Sardesai had been a key figure in the fight against Portuguese colonial rule throughout the Portuguese government.
He said that during the six years between 1955 and 1961, when Goa was under a Portuguese dictatorship and all civil liberties were suspended, Libia and Vaman Sardesai established an underground “secret” radio station in the jungles outside of Goa to broadcast news, speeches by Indian leaders in Parliament, and updates on the anti-colonial struggle and nationalist movement. They did this in order to counter Portuguese propaganda.
The radio station, known as “Voz de Liberdade” for Portuguese and “Goenche Sodvonecho Awaz” (Voice of Freedom of Goa) for Konkani broadcasts, also helped the Indian Army establish a transmission center so that it could transmit messages to the Portuguese to surrender.
