CANACONA/POINGUINIM, OCT 3
Rallies are normally conducted for various demands, facilities and rights or to protest against various ills in society.
Rarely is a rally organised to express one’s gratitude to the people for extending their help towards a cause.
In an unprecedented move, the management, staff and students of S S Angle Higher Secondary School at Maxem-Loliem participated in an 18-km rally to Chaudi town on Saturday in gratitude of the help provided to the flood victims of Canacona.
The ‘Kritadnayata Rally’ was flagged off by Poinguinim ZP member Daya Pagui from the higher-secondary school premises at 8.30 am on Saturday, which marked the first anniversary of the unprecedented floods that had devastated the taluka.
SS Angle’s PTA Chairman Satish Painguinkar, Shri Nirankar Education Society Chairman Prashant Naik, S S Angle’s Principal Hemant Kamat, Professor Anant Agni and Loliem Sarpanch Pranali Prabhugaonkar were among those who took part in the rally.
Elaborate arrangements were made to the walkers in the rally in terms of food and beverages and a convoy of Canacona police accompanied the rally.
The students and staff marched along the highway and finally reached Chaudi town at about 12.30 pm.
On reaching Chaudi town, Canacona Municipal Council Chairperson Shyamsunder Dessai, Canacona MLA Vijay Poi Khot, Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar and former Canacona deputy collector Deepak Dessai also joined the rally, which culminated with a meeting at the Chaudi KTC Bus-stand.
After paying homage to the two flood victims who lost their lives in the last October floods, portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri were garlanded by CMC Chairperson Shyamsunder Dessai and Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar.
Speakers later paid rich tributes to the people of the State, for responding in time and in whatever possible manner to minimize the sorrows of the Canconcars following the unprecedented floods.
Those speaking at the function included Canacona Flood Relief Fund Committee President Satish Painguinkar, Nirankar Society’s Chairman Prashant Naik, ZP Daya Pagui, MLAs Vijay Poi Khot and Ramesh Tawadkar and outgoing Canacona Deputy Collector Deepak Dessai.
Some speakers lauded the government officers for their involvement and even named former Canacona Mamlatdar Vinayak Volvoikar for working with the rescue teams, who risked their own lives.
“In my 12-and-half years in government service, I had seen several rallies and marches organized by people. But I am particularly impressed by this unique rally,” said outgoing Canacona Deputy Collector Deepak Dessai.
“This rally was organised to convey something different and was held to thank the people involved in the flood rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected people. It was different from all those other rallies to demand facilities and benefits,” he added.
