Fountain around Dr Cunha statue invites controversy at Vasco

VASCO, JUNE 13
A well-known Chowk in the port town of Vasco, dedicated to Goan freedom fighter Dr Tristao de Braganza Cunha, has come in for sharp criticism from freedom fighters, senior citizens and former politicians, after a fountain was put up around the statue.
The fountain around the statue of Dr Cunha has invited a controversy from freedom fighters, political parties, senior citizens, who claimed that the water which falls from toe to head of the statue is disrespect to Dr Cunha.
Former deputy speaker and ex-Vasco MLA Simon D’Souza, who made an effort to install the statue during his tenure, recalled that the statue of Portuguese soldier was removed from the Chowk, after Portuguese regime collapsed and the Chowk was named after Dr Cunha.
“However till 1991, no statue was installed at the Chowk. In 1991, which happened to be birth centenary year of Dr Cunha, the statue of Dr Cunha was erected on April 2, 1991,” informed D’Souza.
As per the beatification drive, local politicians asked the forest department to beautify the Chowk by installing the fountain around the statue.
However, three months ago when the fountain was inaugurated, the water level of the fountain was up to the waist of the statue. But the scenario has changed now, the water falls directly on the statue of the leader from all sides, keeping the statue wet from head to toe.
Irked with this, freedom fighters, former politicians and senior citizens are now up in arms against the fountain.
“With water falling on the statue, it is very difficult to make out whose the statue it is. It does not look nice and I have complained about it to the minister,” informed D’Souza.
Freedom fighter Shivram Naik said the water which falls on the head of the statue is disrespect to great Goan freedom fighter. “Instead of installing fountain, they should have beautified the Chowk with greenery or in some other manner,” added Naik.
“The present fountain is a hindrance during functions like Goa Revolution Day on June 18, birth and death anniversary of Dr Cunha, as it will be difficult to garland the statue,” complained Naik.
BJP has threatened that would be forced to come on the street, if corrective measures are not taken before Goa Revolution Day and demanded that the fountain should be removed.