Minister for Water Resources, Shri Filipe Neri Rodrigues felicitated 10 eminent freedom fighters from Salcete Taluka posthumously for their contribution towards freedom Struggle of Goa, at a programme titled `Sangharsh Sanman` organized by Ravindra Bhavan, Margao in association with Department of Information and Publicity held at Margao, yesterday. The Family members of the freedom fighters received the honour on behalf of them.
MLA Shri Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco; Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao Shri Damodar (Damu) Naik, and Member Secretary Shri Prasanna Acharya along with Information Assistant, Department of Information and Publicity Smt. Sanghamitra Faldessai, Former Minister Shri Eduardo Faleiro and council members of Ravindra Bhavan were among those were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Rodrigues recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters and said that the struggle of all freedom fighters and martyrs to liberate India and Goa is infinite, result of which is visible being able to live freely in this country.
The Minister further emphasized the need to showcase our culture, tradition and history and freedom struggle across the Country during the yearlong celebrations of 60 years of Goa`s Liberation. People of Goa has always wholeheartedly supported for projecting Goa at International level through its culture, traditions, tourism etc., and Goa has adjudged as best State among Smaller States in the Country. In Goa, there is no dearth of artist, tiatrists, sports personalities, farmers, musicians, etc, whose contributions are tremendous. Let’s us work together and unite to preserve our culture and tradition for betterment of our future generation he remarked.
The Water resource Minister said that Goa is a unique State. Goan people are friendly and have unity among them. We may raise many questions against certain decisions of the Government, but we Goans are never divided based on religion, caste etc. We are united and that’s the beauty of Goan people, he said and urged to keep the same in future too.
Freedom fighters who were felicitated posthumously included Costa Sam Paul Cruzinho Alias C.P.DE, Narayan Vithal Palekar, Umanath Anant Verkekar, Mangueshkar Ramakant Keshav, Paes Emiterio Antonio Jaao Alias Sebastio Alias Emiterio, Jouquim Conceicao Souza Ferrao, Fernandes Roque Santana, Kesarkar Vishnu Harischandra and Shashikant Bondre.
On the occasion late Antonio Gauncar was felicitated (posthumously) for his contribution towards upliftment of ST community in Goa. Smt.Maria D’Souza, wife of late Antonio Gauncar received the honour.
The Minister also felicitated six people from ST community towards their tremendous service in the respective field – Shri Andrew Gomes, Sports man; Shri Antonio Pango, Sports and Social work; Shri Anthony Gomes, Employee of Central Government Navy, Vasco; Shri Joao B. Fernandes, Dy. Collector, SDO II, Salcete; Shri Jose Francisco Gomes, Principal of Multipurpose School, Borda and Shri Elvis Barbosa, PSI-IRBN Police.
Groups from Chandrawado and Borda performed traditional ghumat vadan on the occasion.
Smt. Sanghmitra Faldessai welcomed the guest; Shri Anant Agni compered the function while Shri Prasanna Acharya proposed the vote of thanks, as informed by the Department of Information and Publicity.