MAPUSA: On the occasion of Liberation day, over 2500-odd people from across North Goa gathered at the taxi stand in protest against the issues plaguing the state and seeking for freedom after 57 years of liberation.
Leaving behind the ‘sussegad’ tag on a holiday, Goans left their homes and gathered in the scorching heat on Wednesday afternoon. The taxi stand was almost jam packed by 4 pm, even before the public awareness meeting began. Many travelled from the far off places in North Goa to display unity and support.
Renowned cardiologist, Dr Francisco Colaco urged the people of Goa to unitedly save whatever little is left. He sang ‘Noman Tuka Goa’. The lyrics illustrate the once beautiful Goa which now sheds tears continuously thinking of the current state of it. The beauty has been destroyed and shattered with construction and buildings. Now Goans are crying seeing what is happening but whose fault it is?
The meeting continued for three long hours and the jam packed audience attentively heard the speakers who put forth various problems the state was facing. The gathering vented anger, frustration, helplessness and the need of being liberated once again.
The gathering witnessed people from all walks of life including school students, housewives, nuns, priests, senior citizens as well as representatives from some political parties.
They raised slogans such as ‘Amka Zai Goem, Goenkar, Goekparponnn nhi Loot, Lotting, Lootingponn’; ‘Sodchena Re Sodchena, Jikle Bogor Sodchena’; ‘Club Mahindra Sodta Gutter, Amka Zai Clean Water’; ‘Amche Jobs, Amka Zai’ and several other one liners.
The organisers claimed that there were 1700 chairs set up at the taxi stand but the event saw people pouring in till the very end at 7.00 pm. Many were standing outside the venue on all sides and listening to the sad tales narrated of the way Goa is being destroyed by our politicians. The speakers managed to keep the gathering engaged and entertained throughout.
