Team Herald
MARGAO: For the first time, water from Goa’s River Sal is being ferried to the National War Memorial in Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations in January 2025.
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The Defence Ministry and Director General of NCC chose River Sal, a lifeline for the Salcete region, due to its cultural and ecological importance. On Wednesday, Col Jesus Furtado, commanding officer of the Goa NCC, along with NCC cadets, visited Assolna to collect the river’s water.
The Indian Navy Ship INS Tarangini, which was docked at Mormugao Port, hosted Col. Jesus and his team for the water collection. The water was blessed by priests from Assolna Church and the local temple; with the village Sarpanch Ivan Fernandes present to witness the occasion.
On Thursday, Col. Jesus and the cadets handed over the container of River Sal water to officers aboard INS Tarangini at Mormugao Port. The ship will embark on a special voyage along India’s coastline, collecting water from various rivers for the Republic Day commemoration.
Col. Jesus expressed pride over the selection of River Sal and said it is a matter of great honour for Goa. He further highlighted the River Sal’s historical importance, recalling that it was once a major route for importing Mangalore tiles into Goa, particularly through Khareband. Additionally, the river has long been a vital source of fish for local fishermen and served as a key transportation route for centuries.
Currently, INS Tarangini has already collected water from rivers in Gujarat and Maharashtra. After taking water from the River Sal, the ship will continue its journey, collecting water from rivers in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
