Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Pramod Sawant assured residents of Cuncolim that he would ask the Assembly Assurance Committee to reassess the decision of Assembly to constitute a historian committee to include Cuncolim 1583 revolt in school syllabus.
Sawant was speaking as chief guest at Cuncolim Chieftains Day function, organised by Chieftains Trust and Cuncolim Municipal Council to commemorate 434th anniversary of first uprising of Cuncolim.
Cuncolkars had challenged Portuguese rule way back in 1583, Sawant said, adding that Cuncolim chieftains were our real heroes and their contributions should be recognised.
I will ask the House Assurance Committee to study the proceedings of Cuncolim revolt, which had come up for discussion in 2014 Assembly session, with Vishnu Wagh and Rajan Naik raising the issue in House.
He appealed Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias to follow-up the issue, saying he was privileged to attend such an important event and honour the five eminent Cuncolim personalities.
The uprising was the first against foreign rule and government should recognise this revolt not only at the state level, but also at national level. I am sure that the government would respect the Cuncolim revolt, he said.
Historian Prajal Sakhardande said Cuncolim revolt was the first uprising not only in India but also in Asia. The sixteen chieftains are the first freedom fighters of India and Cuncolim history should be recognised, he said.
Clafacio who was also the guest of honour assured full support in taking Cuncolim issue in the Assembly.
Rajya Sabha MP and GPC President Shantaram Naik was conferred upon Cuncolim Bhushan award at the event and was felicitated at the hands of Sawant.
Others awarded include Devidas Ghodekar who was conferred with Cuncolim Shree award, while Florida Dias and Dinesh Dessai were awarded Cuncolim Jyoti award. Luis Lima was awarded Cuncolim Mitra award. Eighty-odd meritorious students of class X and XII were also felicitated.
Vice-chairperson of CMC Sashank Dessai, welcomed while Oscar Martins proposed the vote of thanks.
Floral tribute was also paid to sixteen chieftains at Chieftains Memorial at Talebhat, Cuncolim.
