Call made to declare 2026 as Opinion Poll Diamond Jubilee year

MARGAO: As Goa prepares to mark 60 years of the Opinion Poll of January 16, 1967, Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik has urged the State government to declare 2026 as the start of the Diamond Jubilee year. In a representation to the Chief Minister, he said the Opinion Poll safeguarded Goa’s cultural, linguistic and social identity and later led to the recognition of Konkani and Statehood. Naik demanded year-long, State-funded celebrations from January 16, 2026, to January 16, 2027, with a State-level function and participation of top leaders and officials. He also sought felicitation of living Janmat Kaul leaders and honours for families of late stalwarts. He criticised a Directorate of Education circular making Opinion Poll Day observance optional in schools, insisting it must be mandatory and fully funded by the government.