A SEA CHANGE SINCE LIBERATION Though I was young then, I can now see a vast difference compared to the colonial era. Today, we have better access to education, healthcare, connectivity and employ ment opportunities. There has been a sea change– Ferdino Rebello, Former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court THE MAN WHO AWAKENED GOA Today, we reap the fruits of Dr Lohia’s intervention in 1946 and enjoy civil liberties and democratic rights. We have an elected government on which we can rely. We must remain grateful to Dr Lohia for his contribu tion to Goa’s liberation movement.– Padmashri Vinayak Khedekar, Former Kala Academy Member Secretar
TIME TO RECLAIM THE SPIRIT OF JUNE 18 I believe a new revolution is the need of the hour for Goa. We are witnessing unprec edented levels of corruption and envi ronmental destruction. Furthermore, our civil liberties increasingly seem restricted, mirroring the oppressive atmosphere that Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliao Menezes fought against. We must stop blaming only politicians; as citizens, we share respon sibility for the current state of affairs. It is time for the youth of Goa to take inspira tion from history, particularly from figures like Vatsala Kirtani, who was arrested at just 21 for her bravery. We need to reclaim the ethos of June 18, 1946, and mobilise to protect our land and our rights.”– Prajal Sakhardande, Historian
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FREEDOM’S PROMISES REMAIN UNFULFILLED Today, while we enjoy freedom and the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, their imple mentation remains far from satisfactory. People elect gov ernments with great expecta tions, but many policies have failed to reflect the aspirations of the freedom fighters. One of the major concerns is that those who genuinely cher ished a long-term vision for Goa rarely came to power, while those who did often lacked such a vision. The ideals and objectives that inspired the movement for civil liberties have not been pursued with the commitment they deserve. As a result, governments have largely failed to ful fill the expectations and dreams that emerged from Goa’s freedom struggle– Adv Uday Bhembre, Former MLA
KEEPING THE KRANTI SPIRIT ALIVE Our freedom fighters fought and sacri ficed for Goa with a clear vision for its future. They dreamed of a Goa where the land belongs to Go ans and where the State‘s natu ral environment is protected, preserved and sustained for fu ture generations. Development should take place without destroying Goa’s unique beauty, heritage and ecological balance. On the occasion of June 18 Kranti Din, political leaders must reflect on the history and spirit of the movement and remain committed to the ideals and aspirations for which our freedom fighters struggled– Avinash Shirodkar, President, 18th June Kranti Din Committee
GOA AT A CROSSROADS The emerging dictatorship in Goa’s governance feels reminiscent of the Portuguese regime. There is an urgent need to address a series of systemic failures that are affecting our community’s safety, environ ment and social fabric. The col lapse of law and order, coupled with a perceived lack of ac countability, is deeply concern ing. This environment is further exacerbated by interference in media reporting. Furthermore, public trust is being eroded by the failure to repeal Section 39A despite widespread village protests, along with ongoing issues of land grabbing and the incitement of religious and linguistic divisions. Our infrastructure and envi ronment are also in a state of crisis. The expansion of mining in protected forests, coal related health hazards and river pollution caused by casinos are inflicting irreversible damage on our ecosystem. The current situation is no longer sustainable. – Hema Sardesai, Singer
