Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, accompanied by his wife Rita Pillai, continued his Khushal Kalyan Yatra with a spiritually and culturally enriching tour of South Goa on Wednesday. The third phase of this yatra centered on visits to religious sites, historical monuments, and community hubs.
The Governor’s day commenced at the Shree Shantadurga Ballikarin Temple in Balli, where he was warmly received by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, and members of the temple committee. Demonstrating his support, the Governor presented a cheque of ₹50,000 to the temple’s Devasthan Samiti.
Following this, he visited the Shri Nirankar Saunsthan Devalaya in Mashem, where Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar and Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Nisha Chari welcomed him. At the Freedom Fighters’ Memorial, the Governor paid tribute, learned about its significance from journalist Sandesh Prabhudessai, and interacted with descendants of notable freedom fighters, including Anthony D’Souza, Goa’s first Industries Minister.
At Mano Sobha Kalaghar in Mashem, the Governor explored various initiatives that promote local arts. He also received a briefing on the Vandenui river in Loliem from Subhash Mahale, Chairman of the Poinguinim Biodiversity Committee.
The Governor then laid a wreath at the Hutatma Smarak in Poinguinim and visited the ancient Shree Betal Devalaya, which has stood for over 800 years, before stopping for lunch at the Hathipal Forest Rest House.
Later in the day, he visited the Zamatul Muslimeen Sunni Jamia Masjid in Demani-Cuncolim, where community leaders, including Alemao and Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Lendary Mascarenhas, greeted him. The yatra concluded at the Our Lady of Health Church in Cuncolim, where the Governor and his wife offered prayers.