Team Herald 

PANJIM: Pledging to give the State corrupt-free governance, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday assured to complete all the infrastructural works within two years. 

Addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag on the Independence Day at Old Secretariat, he sought co-operation from the citizens, particularly the youth, to make Goa number 1 state in the country. 

“I assure you all to give corruption-free governance in the State that will be pro-development and also reaching out to the last person. I expect co-operation from everybody including the youth to make Goa number 1 in the country,” he said.

Claiming that he is the “Mukhya Sevak” of the State, Sawant also appealed to all the government employees to remember that they are there to serve the citizens. “Every youth should come forward on his own and contribute to the society and also to the development of the nation which is essential step towards creating New India, which is envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. You should have positive attitude,” he added while delivering over 10-minute long speech.  

He said since Goa was liberated 14 years after India attained Independence, it lagged behind the other parts of the country but managed to keep pace with the nation. “Goa was liberated 14 years after India’s Independence and hence we joined the mainstream belated but have managed to keep up the pace with country’s development,” he said. 

Sawant recalled the contribution of State’s first Chief Minister late Dayanand Bandodkar and former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar to the development of Goa across all sectors. Interestingly, Sawant always makes a point to mention his “Guru” (Parrikar) in his speech. 

“We are indebted to late Bandodkar and late Parrikar who laid foundation for the Goa of current times. Bandodkar took elementary education to rural Goa besides working for the development of the State whereas Parrikar is the architect of modern Goa. He (Parrikar) has immensely contributed for the State’s future,” Sawant said. 

He said that patriotism is must amongst the youth for nation building, which unfortunately is on the decline. “

On the recent development of the lifting Article 370 and 35 A from Jammu & Kashmir which has now split into two union territories, the CM commented that India is now independent in the real sense.