Shri Prabhakar Naik, Freedom Fighter and other members of Navajivan Society of Freedom Fighters offered floral tributes to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia’s statue at the historic Aguada Fort in Aguada, Bardez on the celebration of Goa Revolution Day today. The Goa Revolution Day, popularly known as “Kranti Din,” is commemorated every year on June 18 to recall the sacrifices of freedom fighters and Martyrs of Goa’s liberation struggle.

Shri Prabhakar Naik was literally in tears as he recollected and shared their efforts to liberate Goa from the Portuguese regime claimed that was the most difficult period they ever had. He stated that Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia’s clarion call to the people of Goa had awakened every Goan and contributed to resist colonial rule and liberate Goa from the Portuguese regime. This call motivated many Goans, resulting in the State of Goa’s liberation on December 19, 1961.

Shri Ajeet Narvekar, Shri Daulatrao Rane, Shri Dashrat Naik and Dhiraj Pednekar the members of the Navajivan Society of Freedom Fighters were present at the occasion.

Freedom is not only confined to political but also social and economic freedom said Governor Shri P.S Sreedharan Pillai. He was speaking at the State level function of Goa Revolution Day after paying floral tributes at Martyr’s Memorial at Azad Maidan Panjim today.

We can proudly say our system is developing day by day and our Indian Constitution is accepted as one of the finest in the world. Expressing his happiness over cordial relationship  between ruling party and opposition party existing in the State, he said  minds of the both ruling as well as opposition  are always widened in every issue. Governor also recalled the contribution of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliao Menezes fought against the Portuguese regime and said their contribution should be passed on to the new generation. Goa having the highest per capita income will be able to make the best, affluent State in the country he concluded.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant extending his greeting on the occasion of Goa Revolution day said it was on June 18, 1946 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Julião Menezes led the initiative to resist persecution by Portuguese rulers and people of the Goa started mass revolution to take back their homeland from Portuguese.

Addressing the demand of Gurudas Kunde, President of Goa Daman and Diu Freedom Fighter Association Chief Minister announced that history of Goa Revolution Day will be introduced in the text book of Std XI History subject from the next academic year. Currently history of Goa revolution day is already included in the syllabus of IV standard Gomantak Bhal Bhartiya textbook, he informed. Assuring that no injustice will be done to freedom fighters, Chief Minister informed them that within one and half month the pending pension of Freedom fighters will be processed immediately. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also said that all 100 applications of the children of freedom fighters pending with the State government will be disposed of within a year and applicants will be employed before 18 June 2024.

Shri Gurudas Kunde, President of Goa Daman and Diu Freedom Fighter Association recalled the acts of courage and sacrifice of freedom fighters for liberation of Goa and also highlighted the history of Goa revolution day on the occasion.

Present on the occasion were Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Power Shri Ramkrishna alias Sudhin Dhavlikar, Opposition Leader Shri Yuri Alemao, Shri Rohit Monserrate – CCP Mayor,  Shri Rudolfo Fernnades, MLA ST Cruz, Shri. Jaspal Singh DGP Goa IPS along with other government officials.

Agriculture Minister, Shri Ravi Naik on the occasion of Goa Revolution Day today urged every citizen to keep up the spirit of unity and maintain the peace, communal harmony in the State. He appealed to the people to cooperate and work together to maintain peace and communal harmony and rededicate ourselves to the cause of progress and prosperity of the State. He said that there is a need to promote national integration and communal harmony among people of all religions and castes.

Shri Naik was speaking after laying a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Kranti Maidan, Ponda to mark the celebration of Goa Revolution Day at a function held at Ponda today.

Paying rich tributes to the memory of known and unknown  freedom fighters who shed their blood in Liberating Goa Shri Naik recalled the immense contribution made by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia along with Dr. Julião Menezes, a great Nationalist and Freedom Fighter to liberate Goa from the colonial, fruits which we are enjoying today.

Shri Naik further said Goa geographically though being a small State has seen noteworthy development in almost all the sectors – be it in education, culture, sports and health. Central government has contributed for the overall development of Goa, thereby benefiting us tremendously under the able leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Naik added that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is respected all over the world and called upon the people to strengthen his hands to lead our country. He urged all the communities to work together to usher in development.

Among those present on the occasion were  Shri Ritesh Naik, Chairperson, Ponda Municipal Council;  Commanding Officer 6 TTR, Ponda,  Col. Jasvinder Singh , ZP’s, Sarpancha’s, Government Officials, Shri Rohidas Naik, Ex-MLA and General Secretary of Freedom Fighters Association, Goa, Freedom Fighters and large number of students.

Earlier on his arrival at Kranti Maidan, the Agriculture Minister was received by Shri Vishal Kundaikar, Additional Collector,  Shri Raghuraj A. Faldesai, Dy. Collector and Shri Ashish Shirodkar, Dy. SP.