Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Commemorating Goa’s First Martyr: Jai Bhandari Foundation Honors Hutatma Bala Raya Mapari
On February 18, 2025, the Jai Bhandari Foundation in Canacona held a poignant ceremony at the Shree Gopalkrishna Temple in Mokhard to mark the 70th death anniversary of Hutatma Bala Raya Mapari, the first martyr of Goa’s freedom struggle. This event, observed as “Balidan Diwas” across Goa, pays tribute to Mapari’s bravery and sacrifice at the age of 26. The function was attended by prominent figures such as Ramu Naik, President of Shree Gopalkrishna Temple, and Jayesh Naik, Convenor of Jai Bhandari Foundation, Canacona.
The gathering remembered Mapari’s heroic fight against the autocratic Portuguese regime, highlighting his dedication to the freedom movement. Dignitaries praised his selfless sacrifice for the motherland and pledged to protect Goa from future challenges. The event was particularly significant as Mapari hails from the Bhandari community, a major ethnic group in Goa.
