Govt to finally spruce up Lohia Chowk in Assolna

MARGAO, DEC 1
There’s finally good news in store for the freedom fighters and citizens on the golden jubilee year of Goa’s Liberation.
After literally lying in ruins due to utter neglect by the authorities, there’s a ray of hope that the Lohia Chowk in Assolna village — named after the great Indian nationalist, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia — would be spruced up by the government.
If South Goa district Collector, G P Naik is to be believed, the PWD has been given directions to take up renovation of the historic Chowk immediately. He said directions have been issued to PWD officials to complete the work within three months.
“I had a meeting with the freedom fighters as well as other citizens on the matter. Strict instruction shave been issued to complete the renovation work within three months”, he said.
The district Collector said that citizens and freedom fighters can put forth their suggestions to the authorities how to go about the work.
The Lohia Chowk has been lying in ruins over the years after the renovation work undertaken by the Tourism department at the initiative of the local MLA and Water Resources Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues nearly a decade ago was abandoned midway.
That stray dogs and cattle made the freedom fighters memorial their second home was protested by the freedom fighters and citizens, but in vain.
The issue was raised by PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao and Water Resources Minister, Filipe Neri Rodrigues at the Liberation Day function at the Lohia Maidan a year ago, with the duo issuing instructions to the Collector to take up the renovation work at the earliest.
Ram Manohar Lohia had visited Assolna village at the invitation of his close friend and freedom fighter, Dr Juliao Menezes. Lohia had stayed at the residence of Dr Menezes at Assolna, before Lohia descended in Margao on June 18 to give a clarion call to Goans to rise up and revolt against the Portuguese regime.