Freedom fighter Krishna Devappa Desai, whose legacy is showcased at the Sinquerim-based Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People, was born on December 25, 1931, in Nagorcem, Canacona taluka.
With a primary-level education in Marathi and Portuguese, Desai joined the National Congress (Goa) and worked alongside other freedom fighters like Manohar Desai, Raya Kale and Shiva Desai. He took part in activities like distributing posters and worked as an informant for the freedom fighters working in the Majali camp about police activities.
On February 17, 1955, he and 13 others went on a morcha from Gaondongrem to Canacona police station, holding the Tricolour and shouting patriotic slogans. He was arrested and imprisoned for five years and seven months, during which he was severely beaten. When he raised his voice regarding the prevailing conditions in prison, he was confined to a dark cell for seven days as punishment. Post-liberation, he was awarded the tamrapatra (a certificate of honour) by the central government.
