As token of gratitude, State to rename all govt-run primary, high schools after freedom fighters

Team Herald

PANJIM: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday declared that all government-run primary schools and high schools and will be renamed after freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives fighting for the country and the State. 

In his Independence Day address from the Old Secretariat- Panjim, Sawant appealed to all to contribute towards maintaining peace and harmony in the State, which is special since different religions lived in harmony following a uniform civil code. 

“We have decided to rename government high schools and primary schools after the freedom fighters as a token of gratitude to pay them tribute for their sacrifices,” Sawant said remembering freedom fighters who strived for India’s Independence in 1947 and the liberation of Goa in 1961 after hoisting the tri-colour. 

Sawant said the State was in line with “One nation, one emotion, one identity.” “We have shown that Goa is special,” he said. 

“With a Uniform Civil Code, we have shown the unity among Hindus, Christians and Muslims,” he said. “We will always keep our unity intact in the future as well. Everyone needs to contribute towards building a new golden Goa,” he said. 

He also appealed people to take responsibility of preserving Goa’s environment. “Government alone cannot be responsible to preserve environment. People should ensure that they do no liter. We need to educate tourists visiting the State. Littering on beaches, tourism places, temples and surrounding should be stopped. If we want quality tourists to visit Goa, then we need to keep Goa clean and green,” he said announcing that government intends to promote Goa as tourism capital of India. 

In a slew of announcements, the Chief Minister said the Mopa Greenfield International Airport would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October, this year. “The Mopa International Airport, although a little late, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji,” he said. The airport that has been touted as a “game-changer” for Goa tourism, and was earlier slated for an opening in September, would now be completed in October, he said.

He also said that government is committed to resume iron ore mining activities through auction of leases in next four to six months. 

Sawant appealed all the newly elected panchayat members to be part of the government’s Swayampurna Goa 2.0 scheme and make it success. He urged elected members to keep their political affiliations aside and work together to ensure that every scheme of the Central government and the State government reached the last beneficiary. 

 “If newly elected sarpanch, panch members forget political differences, if NGOs support this work, then truly we will make Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav a success and make Goa sujalaam, sufalaam (irrigated and fertile). I call upon you to say that the government needs your support,” Sawant said.

The implementation of the National Education Policy had already begun in the State, he said, and added that Goa was the first State to introduce coding and robotics in its school curriculum.