The Government has accorded priority to key areas such as education, health, skill development, science and technology so as to make Goa a vibrant and well developed state in the country stated Minister for Transport and Panchayatiraj Shri Mauvin Godinho while speaking at the 63^rd Goa Liberation day function held at Joggers Park Chicalim Vasco today. The Minister unfurled the tricolour and inspected the guard of honour and march past presented by school students and Police contingents.

Shri Godinho further called upon the people not to indulge in instigating others  as it hampers the development and progress. He said if we want to create world class infrastructure, better traffic system and maintain clean environment for a better living support and cooperation of people is important. We have to take people into confidence and work together to nurture and preserve our Goa which is a jewel in the crown of our nation.

Goa being a tourist State the Minister said we have to preserve our environment and to this effect the Government has introduced electric buses in the State. To ease traffic congestion the Government has plans  to construct two flyovers one each  at Dabolim and at Verna circle, the foundation for which would be laid soon. Highlighting the importance of Mormugao the Minister said Mormugao was once known as a capital of Goa. The main port of the state is here, There is a Airport Industrial area but we have not exploited them to its potential which needs to be done.

The Minister appealing to the youth exhorted them to participate in making Goa a education and science and technology hub and also   advised them to keep themselves away from misusing social media and artificial intelligence. He said, the future of youth in Goa is bright. Social welfare schemes coupled with development will be implemented effectively and achieved which is our commitment.

The March Past parade was held on the occasion where in Vidyamandir High School, Keshavsmriti High School, Yellalingueshwar Sharda Mandir High School Zarit bagged first, second and third respectively. The function was followed by cultural programme wherein folk dance patriotic songs were presented by school students from Chicalim and its  surrounding area.

Vasco MLA Shri Krishna Salkar, Mormugao MLA Shri Sankalp Amonkar,ZP Member Smt. Anita Thorat, Sarpanch V.P Chicalim Smt. Kamla Prasad Yadav, Dy. Sarpanch V.P Chicalim Smt.Aishwarya Korgaonkar,KTC Chairperson Shri Kritesh Gaonkar, MMC Councillor Shri Vinod Kinlekar,  Deputy Collector Shri Bhagwan Karmali, Deputy Director of Panchayat Shri Prasiddh Naik, Mamlatdar Mormugao Shri Pravnjay Pandit, BDO Mormugao Shri Emmanuel D CostaADEI Vasco Smt. Vatsala Vishwambharam, APEO Shri Manguesh Gaonkar, prominent citizens and others attended the function.

Minister for IT and Tourism Shri Rohan Khaunte today said that we should always remain indebted to the supreme sacrifices of the freedom fighters who fought tirelessly and valiantly to achieve liberation for Goa from Portuguese regime. The Minister was speaking after unfurling national tricolour to mark the celebration of 63^rd Goa Liberation Day held at Mapusa today.

Extending his greetings to the people on the occasion of Liberation Day, the Minister said our known and unknown freedom fighters and martyrs shed their blood during freedom struggle movement to liberate Goa from Colonial yoke. He said   ever since the liberation of Goa 62 years ago Goa has made  numerous progress particularly in the area of IT, Tourism, education, health, and infrastructure etc. Goa, he said is gifted with beautiful beaches and enchanting rivers due to which Goa has emerged as a international tourism hub.

The Minister also highlighted the progress made by Goa in tourism sector. Goa, he said is known world over for its cultural heritage, ethos, hospitality, eco-tourism and wellness which he mentioned needs to be enriched, promote to maintain Goa’s identity.

The Minister reminded the people about the Shiv Shourya Yatra held  by the Government to make people particularly the younger generation aware about the immense contribution made by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a great Maratha Warrior for Goa and country as a whole.

Shri Khaunte said efforts are being made to project Goa beyond beaches and for inclusive tourism. Steps have also been initiated to commemorate Chhatrapati  Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti under Tourism Department in six cities of Goa  namely Vasco, Mapusa, Ponda, Margao and Panaji on Feb.19,2024. The main function would be held at Bicholim The Minister inspected the guard of honour and march past by Police contingents and school students.

Sports persons who have excelled in various sports disciplines were felicitated at the hands of the Minister. These included  Mr. Albert Joshua Ferrao who won gold medal in Sqay martial art at National Games 2023., Mr.Dayne Edgar Agnello Coelho who won gold medal in Yatching event, Ms Ary Vivek Pednekar who  won gold medal in Sqay martial art, Ms Janiva Fernandes won bronze medal in winsher event, Ms Katya Coelho  won gold medal in Yatching while Ms sanjana Prabhugaonkar won Silver Medal in Aquatics.

Deputy Collector Mapusa Ms Yshwini B.IAS Addl. Collector III Shri Pundalik Khorjuvekar, DSP Shri Jivba Dalvi, PI Mapusa Police Station Shri Sitakant Nayak prominent citizens attended the function.

The Goa Liberation Day  was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour  at historic Kranti Maidan, Ponda today where Agriculture Minister, Shri Ravi Naik unfurls the national tricolour and inspected the guard of honour.

Addressing the gathering Shri Naik  said though our state achieved liberation after 14 years of India’s Independence  Goa, geographically though being a small State has seen noteworthy  development in almost all the sectors – be it in education, culture, sports and health over the years. Central government has contributed for the overall development of Goa, thereby benefiting us tremendously under the able leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. He called upon people to strengthen his hands to lead our country. He urged all the communities to work together to usher in progress and development in all areas of human endeavour.

Shri Naik thanked the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for selecting  Goa State for hosting some of the prestigious events like G20 Summit, which was an opportunity to portray the State’s rich culture and hospitality.

Speaking further Shri Naik said that the government led by Dr. Pramod Sawant is continuously striving to provide good governance to the people. He appealed to the people to cooperate and work together to maintain peace and communal harmony and rededicate themselves to the cause of progress and prosperity of the state. He said, that there is a need to promote national integration and communal harmony among people of different faith.

Among those present on the occasion were Shri Ritesh Naik, Chairperson, Ponda Municipal Council; Commanding Officer 6 TTR, Ponda, Col. Jasvinder Singh, NRI Commissioner Shri Narendra Savaikar, Councillors, ZP’s, Sarpancha’s, Government Officials,  Freedom Fighters and large number of students.

Students from different High Schools of Ponda presented cultural programmes on the occasion.

Earlier on his arrival at Kranti Maidan, the Agriculture Minister was received by Shri Suyash Khandekar,Dy. Collector and Shri Ashish Shirodkar, Dy. SP.

Dr Deviya Rane, MLA Poriem, hoisted the National flag on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day at Dy. Collector Office, Valpoi.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Deviya Rane highlighted the tremendous development achieved across various fields in Goa since its liberation. “We are enjoying the freedom and progressing in every aspect due to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of remembering their contributions.

Paying tributes to the freedom fighters, Dr Deviya Rane said, “We must preserve our hard earned freedom and salute those who made it possible. This is our real tribute to them.” She acknowledged the vision of the Prime Minister, expressing confidence that bridging the gap between villages and cities is essential for real development in Goa.

Speaking about Government Welfare Schemes, Dr Rane credited them for benefiting everyone and contributing to the country’s growth. Emphasizing unity, she urged citizens to join hands and work in unison without considering caste or creed. “We must preserve Goa’s nature and keep it clean,” she added, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa.

The students from Our Lady of Lourdes High School and Unity High School presented Patriotic songs.

Shri Pravin Hire Parab, Dy. Collector; Shri Dashrath Gawas Mamledar, Valpoi; Shri Suryaji Rao Rane Sardesai BDO; police officials and citizens, graced the occasion.