Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The Shadow Council for Margao in collaboration with Bhimshakti Sangatan commemorated 18th June Kranti Diwas with a well-attended event held at the Grace Church Hall, Margao. The occasion honoured Goa’s liberation movement and echoed a strong call for unity against oppression and marginalization in contemporary society.
Goa Freedom Fighters’ Association President Rohidas Dessai and veteran freedom fighter Raya Shirodkar were felicitated at the hands of Rajya Sabha MP and Bhimshakti Sangatan founder Chandrakant Handore, who was the chief guest for the event.
The programme drew participation from a diverse group of social activists and local leaders, including former Sarpanchas Zacarias Goes and Herculano Niaso, Rama Kankonkar, Anthony D’silva, Pratima Coutinho, Jack Mascarenhas, Dyneshwar Varkandkar, Adv. Snehal Onskar, Loyola Rodrigues, Anwar Naroo, Sadanand Vaingankar, and Lalan Parsekar, among others.
Addressing the gathering, Handore praised the legacy of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr. Juliao Menezes, whose efforts sparked Goa’s freedom movement. He affirmed that Bhimshakti Sangatan, which has a presence in over seven states, will launch a new Kranti to unite the middle class, underprivileged and marginalized communities in their fight for justice. “As Captain Viriato Fernandes raises Goa’s voice in the Lok Sabha, I will strive to raise the same voice in the Rajya Sabha,” he assured.
Freedom Fighters’ Association President Rohidas Dessai recounted the events of 18th June 1946 and detailed the brutal response of Portuguese authorities following the historic meeting led by Dr. Lohia and Dr. Menezes.
Shadow Council for Margao Convener Savio Coutinho, in his address, highlighted various instances of suppression faced by vulnerable sections of society at the hands of those in power. He pledged to continue the fight through collective action in collaboration with Bhimshakti Sangatan.
Speakers at the event also included Bhimshakti Goa In-charge Bhushan Gaikwad, Dyneshwar Varkandkar, Rama Kankonkar, and Anthony D’silva, all echoing the call for solidarity and grassroots resistance to injustice.
