PANJIM: The State will observe the Goa Revolution Day on Sunday, to recall the sacrifices of freedom fighters and Martyrs of Goa’s liberation struggle. Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will lead the State in paying tributes to the freedom fighters at the Martyrs Memorial at Azad Maidan, Panjim at 8.54 am. They will also address the people on the occasion.
The Governor and Chief Minister have extended their warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Goa, particularly to all the freedom fighters, on the occasion of Goa Revolution Day.
In his message, the Governor said that Goa Revolution Day will forever be an important part of Goa’s history. On 18th June, 1946 at Margao, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliao Menezes started the civil disobedience movement against Portuguese regime.
The spark which was lit by Dr Lohia at Margao, turned into big flames in the hearts of Goans. These two men were responsible for starting a revolution that eventually got Goa its civil liberties that had been taken away.
They lit the torch of freedom from the Portuguese rule on 18th June, 1946 at Margao which resulted in Goa’s liberation on 19th December 1961”, he added.
The Governor further said “we remember the valiant struggle of the people of Goa and also the people from different parts of the country that had voluntarily joined their hands for the liberation from colonial rule.
“On this memorable occasion, let us pledge ourselves to work towards the betterment and for making Goa a model State”, Pillai said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “This day has a special significance in the history of Goa’s freedom struggle movement. The Goa Revolution Day has special importance for Goans. It was on this day, in 1946, Goans staged an open but peaceful revolt against the atrocities enacted on them by the Portuguese colonial regime.
The Goa Revolution Day marked the last phase of the freedom movement in which thousands of Goans participated voluntarily. This period had witnessed an era of supreme sacrifice by the freedom fighters. Many embraced martyrdom, and thousands of others went through untold hardships and deportation, he said. Apart from the main function at Panjim, functions will also be held at Lohia Maidan, Margao, at 8.30 am and at historic Kranti Maidan, Ponda. Various programmes will also be held in the State.
