Team Herald
MARGAO: Famous Portuguese song “Maria Pitache” drew flak from the freedom fighters at the Republic Day celebration at the South Goa Collectorate, Margao on Sunday, as they demanded that the first prize awarded to the dance performance be withdrawn.
The Freedom Fighters were shocked over the inclusion of the dance performance on the Portuguese song and expressed surprise that the same bagged the first prize.
Freedom Fighters who attended the celebration in Margao raised their objection before the Collector.
“I have participated in the Satyagraha in 1955 against the oppressive Portuguese and like me many have. I am surprised that this act performed on Portuguese song has been awarded first prize. I feel very bad for this,” a freedom fighter said and demanding that the prize be withdrawn.
Avinash Shirodkar from the Freedom Fighters’ Association said, “This Portuguese song being played at the Republic Day is sad. I demand that the prize be withdrawn and from the next time the decisions taken on the programmes held on the days of national importance be carefully planned”.
Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar said, “I will raise the issue before the Collector”.
