GOA GLORIOUS
A freedom fighter whose legacy is showcased at the Sinquerim-based Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People, Pandurang Apaji Naik Desai was born on December 18, 1912, in Gaondongrem, Canacona taluka.
Educated up to the primary level in Marathi, Naik Desai began his revolutionary activities as a member of the Azad Gomantak Dal (AGD). From 1956, he had participated in the underground nationalist activities under the leadership of Vishwanath N Lawande and Prabhakar Sinari. His involvement became increasingly important, as his house began to be used as the centre of all the AGD activities. He aided the AGD workers by providing them with information about the police activities in his area and also provided them with food. His son Balaji later became a very active worker of the AGD. Naik Desai passed away in 1966, following the Liberation of Goa.