pratik parab
Though it was an official government function organised by Ravindra Bhavan and Directorate of Official Language, Government of Goa, the buntings with Goa Forward Party’s coconut logo were spread all over the square raising many questions whether the Opinion Poll Day function was centered around the party.
The Congress appeared to have boycotted the function as Margao MLA Digambar Kamat was conspicuous by his absence at the official function held in the afternoon. MMC councillors owing allegiance to the Congress and Kamat too remained absent.
While Hindustani classical music was played throughout the programme, a brass band accompanied the dignitaries and people on their way to the Ravindra Bhavan.
The function may have been well organised with a feeling of a feast along the Ravindra Bhavan street.
With many students present in the main auditorium, the absence of the people of Salcete and even from Margao could be felt.
For the first time the road opposite the Ravindra Bhavan was painted by the school students with a theme of “Goenkarponn and Opinion Poll”. A camera mounted on a drone captured the photos of these paintings.
Several freedom fighters and other personalities who actively participated in the Opinion Poll attended the function with their families, reminisced the memories of the struggle for Goan identity.
“While the vehicles heralded the villages we ran after the vehicles. Today we know what that heralding and hard work was all about,” said a relative of an Opinion Poll stalwart.
