MARGAO
There’s good news in store for Cuncolkars who have been waging a sustained movement for the inclusion of the historic 1583 Cuncolim revolt in the school curriculum.
Ahead of the commemoration of the Cuncolim revolt at the Chieftains Memorial with an official Guard of Honour on July 15, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the Education portfolio, replied to an unstarred question by Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao on day one of the Assembly session that the Cuncolim Revolt of July 15, 1583, will be included in the XI Arts history book.
That’s not all. The Chief Minister further replied to the Cuncolim MLA that a supplementary book is being prepared by the Board of Studies on History.
When questioned on the matter of whether the government has any proposal to include a chapter on the Cuncolim Revolt by the Chieftains of Cuncolim, the Chief Minister replied that the topic will be included as a sub-topic in the Class XI Arts history book.
To another question by MLA Yuri on whether the government has taken any steps to ensure that the Cuncolim Revolt is included in the academic books of the schools, the Chief Minister further replied by saying the Board of Studies of Goa Board will prepare a draft syllabus of history of Goa for Class XI and Cuncolim Revolt will be included in the syllabus.
The Chief Minister’s reply assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had decided to observe the Cuncolim revolt at the National War Memorial on July 15.
That’s not all. Due to the initiative by the Chief Minister, the historic revolt commemorated by the Cuncolim Chieftain’s memorial committee at Cuncolim on July 15 will be accorded official status.
Perhaps for the first time in around two decades, the government will commemorate the historic Cuncolim Revolt officially with a Guard of Honour. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, his ministerial colleagues and senior officials will attend the commemoration function at the Chieftain’s memorial on July 15.
Sources said the Chief Minister is expected to make some announcements concerning the Cuncolim Revolt, including the historic revolt in the history books.
It is a sheer coincidence that the Private Member’s Bill tabled by Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao is coming up in the House for discussion on July 15.
Meanwhile, the Cuncolim MLA has expressed happiness over the Chief Minister’s reply to include the Cuncolim Revolt in the history books.
“Cuncolkars have been demanding the inclusion of the historic 1583 revolt in the history textbooks. I have tabled my Private Member’s Bill on the subject, which will come up for discussion on July 15,” Yuri added.
