Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust, in association with Cuncolim Municipal Council, will celebrate July 15 as the 433rd anniversary of First War of Independence. To mark the occasion, the Trust has organised various activities.
Cuncolkars will pay floral tribute to sixteen chieftains at chieftains memorial park, Taleabhat Culwada, at 3.30 pm.
The main function will be held at Cuncolim Municipal hall at 4 pm. Meritorious students of SSCE, HSSCE and College will be awarded Cuncolim Kshatra awards. Persons who contributed for the welfare of the society will be conferred upon prestigious awards.
This Day has been observed as Cuncolim day to pay respect to sixteen chieftains who laid down their life for Swarajya and Swadharma.
It may be recalled that way back in 1583 Cuncolkars waged against Portuguese rule to preserve their land and pride. The war, fought at Taleabhat Cuncolim, killed several Portuguese soldiers and priests. It was the first revolt in India against any foreign rule. Cuncolkars did not succumb to the Portuguese pressure and the fought for Swarajya and Swadharma. To take revenge on Cuncolkars, the Portuguese called 16 chieftains of Cuncolim at Assolna fort for a peace treaty, where the Portuguese killed fifteen chieftains of Cuncolim, but one escaped.
In 1996 Dr Veresimo Coutinho founded Cuncolim Chieftains memorial Committee to put the great History of Cuncolim right. Since then Cuncolim Chieftains are observing July 15 as Chieftains Day.
Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal will be the chief guest for the function, while Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik and RS MP Shantaram Naik will be the guest of honour.
