PANAJI
A freedom fighter whose legacy is showcased at the Sinquerim-based Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People, Naik Yeshwant Vinayak was born on September 2, 1926, in Siolim, Bardez, and was the son of Vinayak Mukund Naik. Educated up to Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.), he later joined the Quit Goa Organisation (Q.G.O.) and actively participated in nationalist activities by affixing posters, hoisting the Tricolour at public places, and inspiring people with patriotic spirit. For his involvement, he was arrested on 13 August 1954, subjected to police harassment, and tried by the Tribunal Militar Territorial (T.M.T.), the Portuguese Military Court. In recognition of his contribution to the freedom movement, he was awarded the Tamrapatra by the Central Government. A teacher by profession, he worked alongside notable associates such as Narcinha Sunktankar, Sripad Kantak, Norbert Carvalho, Vaikunth Shinkre, and Pandurang Kunkolienkar.
