Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. File photo Photo credit: PTI
On the eve of Goa Liberation Day, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday (December 18, 2024) honored the family members of those who sacrificed their lives in the movement to end Portuguese colonial rule in the coastal state.
Talking to reporters after the felicitation ceremony, the Chief Minister said that the state government had paid tribute to their martyrs whose families were given certificates of honor and financial benefits.
Goa Liberation Day is celebrated every year on December 19 to mark the success of ‘Operation Vijay’, conducted by the armed forces in 1961 to liberate the state from Portugal.
Mr. Sawant said that “it is an honor to meet and greet you. heroine Martyr Karnail Singh Benipal in Haryana whose contribution to the struggle is etched in our hearts.”
Families of some freedom fighters were also honored on Wednesday.
Martyrs who were honored include Balarai Mapari, Basavaraj Hudgi, Sheshnath Wadekar, Tulsiram Balakrishna Hirve, Baburao Keshav Thorat, Sakharam Shirodkar, Rohidas Mapari, Yashwant Agarwadekar, Ramchandra Newgi, Bapu Vishnu. The families of Gabbhai, Bapu Vishnu Gabbhai, Parakashtha, Ramchandra Newgi, Sakharam Shirodkar and others were honoured. Tengsey and Parashuram Acharya.
‘450 Years of Tyranny’
Mr. Sawant said Goa had endured nearly 450 years of “tyrannical and oppressive Portuguese colonial rule”. He added, “Behind the revolt against colonial tyranny was the resilient spirit of the Goan people and the neighboring regions and states.”
The CM also said that the struggle for the liberation of the coastal state after India’s independence was particularly important as freedom fighters from across the country joined hands with the Goans.
“74 brave souls made the ultimate sacrifice in this valiant struggle and the honor and felicitation by our government reflects our unwavering commitment to honor and remember the sacrifices of these freedom fighters and their families,” he added.
published – December 19, 2024 at 06:25 pm IST