Team Herald
PANJIM: Two days before Liberation Day, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant took an indirect dig at those who have urged President Ram Nath Kovind not to attend the Liberation Day Function in Goa.
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Sawant said that Goans should be proud that the country’s President will be participating in the Liberation Day function. “Goans should be proud of the President coming for the Liberation Day function for first time. We should be proud of it. Anybody who has written to him not to come should withdraw the letters,” Sawant said addressing the media.
The Chief Minster also said that proud nationalists will never oppose the President’s visit.
The CM’s statement comes days after Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai wrote to the President urging him to cancel his visit to Goa as the State intends to spend Rs 100 cr on the 60th Liberation Day even as people are struggling financially.
“The State will not spend Rs 100 cr in one day. It is for an entire year celebration,” Sawant said. He said all the participants in the year-long celebrations will be 100 per cent Goans.
“Goa’s Liberation is something every Goan needs to be proud of. Hence, we want the entire nation to know about the struggle,” he said. He added, “Goa’s freedom struggle will be extensively covered in the school syllabus too.”
Providing details of the President’s visit, Sawant said that President Kovind will land in Goa on Saturday at 1.05 pm. “He will then proceed to GU via helicopter at 1.35 pm and from there to Raj Bhavan. The President will attend functions at Azad Maidan and DB Bandodkar ground, near Kala Academy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also unveiled the logo for the 60th year of Liberation celebrations.
“Three entries out of 164 were shortlisted for 60th Liberation Day logo. Out of the three, Bhavesh Velingkar’s logo has been selected by the selection committee. He will get Rs 10,000 cash reward,” Sawant said.
