Sawal was speaking as chief guest on the occasion of 433rd anniversary of ‘first war’ of liberation fought at Cuncolim July 15, 1583.
Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust in association with Cuncolim Municipal Council had organised a special function to mark the day.
Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik, Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik, Chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas, Chief officer Kedar Naik, Councillors and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.
Sawal said, “Cuncolkars are brave and patriots; their forefathers fought a war for swarajya and swadharma. It was Cuncolkars who had shown courage and guts to challenge the mighty Portuguese.”
“Cuncolim had always remained in the forefront in the fight for liberation of Goa from the Portuguese. I salute the brave Cuncolkars for their sustained struggle against the Portuguese regime,” Sawal said.
He appealed to Shantaram to sanction money from his MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund to build a memorial in Cuncolim to honour the sixteen chieftains who fought the ‘first war’ for the liberation of Goa.
Sawal said that without including the Cuncolim revolt in history books and school curriculum, Goa’s liberation history would be incomplete. “Cuncolim revolt must get its place in history books and school curriculum. I will raise this issue in the Assembly and will ask government to include Cuncolim History in school syllabus,” he added.
Shantaram said that Cuncolim revolt was the first revolt against the Portuguese atrocities, therefore, he said, the State government must recognise this history and must ask Goa Board to include Cuncolim history in school curriculum.
Cuncolim Chieftains Trust Chairman Oscar Martins explained the importance of Chieftains Day. He said he wants to produce a documentary on Cuncolim revolt and appealed to Goans to contribute to this cause.
On the occasion, meritorious students of SSCE, HSS and some outstanding personalities were conferred various prestigious awards. Renowned physician Dr Jorson Fernandes was conferred the Cuncolim Bhushan Award; Cuncolim Shree was conferred on retired Principal Dr Laxman Naik and Michel Gracias; Cuncolim Jyoti was presented to Deputy Conservator of Forests Sanjay Waradkar and teacher Reva Dessai; Cuncolim Mitra was awarded to DySP Dhinraj Govekar.
