Goemkarponn Desk
MARGAO: The “Wall of Freedom”, a one of its kind of Independence Day program, organized by the Margao Congress block, saw a very overwhelming participation at Margao.
The Margao Congress block under the leadership of Mr. Savio Coutinho put up a huge Wall-on-Flex at the Communidade building, wherein hundreds of participants gathered to write “What Freedom of India means to them”. Right from primary school students to Medical College students; and adults to seniors citizens qued up to draw their slot of space on the “Wall of Freedom”
Our departed state and national leaders, stone by stone built a strong wall against the oppression of the British rulers. In a similar way, the opinions expressed by all the participants who wrote on the “Wall of Freedom”, reveals the aspirations of the people living in “Free India”, Mr. Coutinho said.
Mr. Savio Coutinho further said that at a time when the Nation is plagued with so many issues, there is hardly any forum to express one’s opinion. The “Wall of Freedom” gave the people, young and old to say in one sentence what Freedom means to them.
Recalling how in the absence of TV, Internet, Social media etc. the freedom fighters had to invent ways to propagate the word of freedom to all, Mr. Coutinho without naming any politician rued over the issue where attempts to suppress the voice of dissent are normally made by harrassment by misuse of government machinery. “However in Margao, politicians try to pressurize editor’s and owners of print and electronic media, not to give media coverage to the wrongs that are exposed by vigilant citizens, Mr. Coutinho said. Such type of pressure does no good to these politicians, but only goes to confirm that they are also hand in gloves with the wrongdoers, and have some interests in the same, he said further.
Congress member Mr. Aneil Alvares informed that prizes would be awarded to the best opinions expressed on the Wall, which include Life time membership at Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes District Library at Colmorod. Spot prizes for answering history related questions were also awarded during the program. The judge’s for the competition were Prof. Lydia Menon and Tr. Anju Shridhar Kamat.
Mr. Lincoln Gomes who was in charge of the registration informed that over 15 different schools and colleges participated; while a total of 117 opinions were expressed on the Wall of Freedom. An interesting aspect was that as the participants were supposed to write in any of the four languages viz. Konkani, Hindi, Marathi and English, we had participants who wrote in Romi-Konkani aswell, he said.
While the program started with the singing of the National anthem, it wound up with the recitation of “The Preamble” by Prof. Joan Rebello. Mr. Jack Mascarenhas also spoke on the occasion.
