PANJIM: Various programmes were organized across the state to celebrate 65th Goa Revolution Day (or is it a Goa doomsday) to pay tribute to martyrs and other freedom fighters (real and original?) who fought for Goa's liberation from the Portuguese. It was to commemorate the call given by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia from Margao to the people of Goa to join the freedom movement on the same day in 1946.
In Panjim, governor S S Sidhu and chief minister Digambar Kamat led the citizens in paying homage at the Martyrs Memorial at Azad Maidan which was marred by protests over medium of instruction issue. In his address the governor said, "We owe this day to the 67 martyrs and other freedom fighters who fought for Goa's freedom."
Sidhu also recalled the crucial contribution of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia in Goa's freedom struggle. He also stressed the need to include Goa's Freedom struggle in the test books of schools and colleges not only in Goa, but also all over the country so that the same could serve as inspiration to the present and future generations.
Chief minister recalled the sacrifice of martyrs and freedom fighters and said in a democratic set up there can be differences among various sections of people on different issues which can be sorted out amicably across the table. He called upon people to remain united. On the occasion, 16 freedom fighters, 11 posthumous and five living were honoured with shawl, srifal and replica of martyrs memorial. B Mulgaonkar who was honoured by the government on behalf of his late freedom fighter father Dadu B Mulgaokar disagreed with the stand taken by Goa, Daman and Diu freedom fighters association on the medium of instruction issue.
After the function, Mulgaokar said "We have to be practical. English is required for jobs, or even communication. You can't expect jobs today based solely on knowledge of Konkani or Marathi. "
After the official function, freedom fighters paid their tributes and were followed by leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar. He contended that "Digambar Kamat will go down in Goan history as the CM who began the destruction of the state."
"What the Portuguese didn't do, the CM is doing," he said of Kamat who was number 2 in his cabinet from October 2000 to early 2005. Programmes were organized in Ponda where home minister Ravi Naik was the chief guest while sports minister Manohar Azgaonkar launched some development works in Pernem taluka.
In Margao, PWD minister Churchill Alemao Alemao hit back at the freedom fighters who were protesting against the issue of medium of instruction. "The freedom fighters fought for the country's freedom and we are indebted to them. I, however, fail to understand why they are now opposing the government's decision to give freedom to the parents to choose the medium of instruction for their children."
It is quite surprising that even after 50 years of "so called" Liberation, that the Government can create Freedom Fighters out of thin air.
ReplyDeleteSureyl there should have been an Organisation to collate & look after the interests of true FF`s.
It seems like the fake FFS were given priority over the real FF`s.
Based on what I am reading, you can be assured that ,even a hundred to two hundred years (1-2 centuries) down the line,that there will be new Freedom Fighters Honoured on 18th June..And nearly all Post Humously.
Where does the Goa Govt. find them? And where do their pensions go?