Team Herald
MARGAO: Freedom fighters were honoured at “Deepotsav”, organised to commemorate the 60th Liberation Day, by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, on Saturday.
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While addressing the gathering, Kamat said, “It is unfortunate that the government completely ignored the heroes of the freedom struggle and did not find it important to invite them for the function attended by the President of India. I strongly condemn this act of the government whose focus is only on extravaganza by spending crores of rupees.”
“Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru needs to be remembered for his immense contribution to Goa. Today, some sections are deliberaty trying to malign his image. Panditjis statue needs to be erected in Goa, said Datta Damodar Nayak.
“I along with my freedom fighter colleagues are feeling hurt with the approach adopted by the government of completely side-lining us from the function at Panjim today in the presence of President of India. I regret to state that this government has a different agenda and ulterior motives in organising the said function, said Pandurang Kuncolienkar, a freedom fighter.
“We fought bravely against Portuguese regime. Some of our colleagues laid down their lives in the Goa liberation struggle, but it is sad that today even the government does not find it important to invite us for the very function, which could take place because of the freedom fighters. I am extremely saddened to note that the chief minister remembered us yesterday late night,” said freedom fighter and former MLA Gajanan Raikar.
“It is the bounden duty of any government to preserve the historical monuments. Unfortunately, this very place where Dr Ram Manohar Lohia lit the flame of Goa Liberation with his Revolution on June 18, 1946 is neglected by the government. I appeal to the government to immediately take up the renovation work of this Lohia Maidan,” stated freedom fighter Gopal Chitari.
“The government needs to help the needy and prioritise on giving timely pensions to the freedom fighters, senior citizens and others who are dependent on the government support. I regret to mention here that when the government is spending crores of rupees on the function at Panjim, I along with other freedom fighters did not receive my pension for the last month,” said freedom fighter Shashikala Hodarkar Almeida.
“Today my age is 83 years. I have only one wish of seeing this historic place renovated. I appeal to the government to ensure that the renovation work of this glorious Lohia Maidan is taken up on top most priority,” stated freedom fighter Vaman Prabhugaonkar.
The entire Lohia Maidan was lit with candles and tributes were paid at the Martyrs Memorial, statue of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and the freedom fighters.
