Panaji: Goa’s efforts to gain easier access to historical records from the Portuguese era have received a boost, with Portugal indicating its willingness to cooperate with the State in identifying and accessing documents related to Goa.
Chief Minister and Archives Minister Dr Pramod Sawant informed the Assembly that the State plans to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Lisbon on the matter.
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A significant collection of records relating to Goa is currently preserved in archives and libraries across Portugal, making direct access difficult for researchers and historians in the State.
Sawant said the Portuguese authorities have expressed their willingness to cooperate in identifying records that could be shared or exchanged with Goa.
The State is also exploring the possibility of delegations from Goa and Portugal visiting Lisbon and Goa respectively to examine and assess the historical material available in both countries.
The proposed initiative could help researchers gain access to valuable archival material documenting Goa’s history, administration, society and cultural heritage during the Portuguese period.
