PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that identity cards are being issued to Goans engaged in traditional occupations, from salt pan workers to toddy tappers, along with financial assistance for select beneficiaries.
Speaking after the Asmitai Day celebrations in Panaji today, Sawant said the government is committed to ensuring that development goes hand in hand with the preservation of Goa’s cultural and occupational heritage.
“Without support, the history of these communities will survive only in books,” he said, highlighting measures for salt pan workers, including identity cards and Rs 50,000 in financial aid. Similar initiatives are being extended to toddy tappers, flower sellers, and fishermen, Sawant added, expressing concern about outsiders entering traditional livelihoods.
Despite being India’s smallest state, Goa has managed to retain its unique identity, the CM said. Linking state initiatives to national goals, he called on the public to actively support Viksit Goa 2037 and Viksit Bharat 2047. “Development in IT and innovation must go hand in hand with the preservation of traditional Goan life and occupations,” Sawant stated.
Recalling Goa’s historic 1967 Opinion Poll, Sawant urged citizens to pass on the idea of Goan identity to younger generations. “The ‘Vote for Flower’ and ‘Vote for Leaf’ campaign involved people from all walks of life. It wasn’t just a political movement; it safeguarded our distinct identity,” he said, adding that Goa’s decision to remain separate prevented it from becoming another district of Maharashtra.
Tracing Goa’s journey from liberation in 1961 to statehood in 1987, Sawant noted that the Asmitai Dis celebrations had not always been officially observed. His government has since directed the Directorate of Official Language to ensure the day is marked meaningfully. “Last year’s programme at Khandola College was aimed at students so that the message of identity reaches the next generation,” he said.
Sawant also highlighted cultural preservation efforts, including around 15 GI tag nominations secured through the Goa Biodiversity Board. “Goan Khaje is not just a sweet; it is Khaje. Our local chillies, brinjals, Kunbi shawls, and Laman diva are all part of our identity,” he said.
The CM further noted that the government has accorded state recognition to three historic movements: the revolt of Dipaji Rane, the Cuncolim revolt, and the Pinto’s revolt. Linking Goa’s past decisions to its present status, Sawant said the state’s ability to develop strong infrastructure and gain global recognition as a tourism destination stems from its protected identity. “People across the world say, ‘I visited Goa’. That itself shows Goa’s place on the global map,” he added.
