Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: Minister for Public Works, Digambar Kamat, urged students to draw inspiration from the life of late Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes and work selflessly for the betterment of the country. Speaking at a state-level programme organised by the South Goa Collectorate to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr. Gomes at Navelim, Salcete, Kamat highlighted the late leader’s contributions as a great thinker and patriot who advocated nationalism, social justice, and equality in the Portuguese Parliament.
Stressing the importance of education, Kamat said it is the best tool for individual development and appreciated Navelim village’s commitment to educational excellence. He also emphasized inculcating moral values at home and in primary education, noting that following Dr. Gomes’ principles in daily life would be a true tribute to his legacy.
Luizinho Faleiro, President of the Late Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes Memorial Trust, recalled that Dr. Gomes championed Indian nationalism decades before the freedom movement and praised the library established in his name at Navelim, urging the youth to make full use of it. Fr. Gabriel Coutinho also highlighted the importance of following Dr. Gomes’ ideology to achieve success in life.
The programme was attended by Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, former MLA Avertano Furtado, South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma, ZP Member Edwin Cardozo, President of Freedom Fighters Association Rohidas Dessai, and Navelim Sarpanch Paul Pereira. Schools in Navelim presented patriotic songs, and the programme was compered by Avito Pires de Menezes. Since 2024, the Government has declared Dr. Gomes’ birth and death anniversaries as state-level functions to honor his legacy.
