MARGAO
As the government commemorated the birth anniversary of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia for the first time at the Lohia Maidan, Margao on Tuesday as part of the 60 years of Goa’s Liberation, the historic Maidan continued to lay in shambles with the proposed beautification and renovation yet to see the light of day.
Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar paid tributes to the great nationalist by offering flowers at his statue at the Lohia Maidan on Tuesday morning in the presence of freedom fighters, Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Damu Naik and government officials.
That the historic Lohia Maidan has been craving attention for a long time now became evident when the general secretary of the freedom fighters panel Avinash Shirodkar reminded the Deputy Chief Minister that the Lohia Maidan beautification project is lying in limbo for reasons best known to the government.
Incidentally, someone was overheard saying the government has not executed the Lohia Maidan beautification project even despite the fact that former Governor, Satyapal Malik had assured to get the project implemented at the earliest.
Taking cognizance of the sentiments of the freedom fighters, Kavlekar said he would immediately take up with the government and the Urban Development department the status of the beautification project and ensure that it is implemented at the earliest.
“When this government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant takes up any project, it ensures that the project is taken to its logical conclusion,” he said, adding that he would do the follow up with the government on the implementation of the project.
“This is a sacred place and it should get a facelift as a befitting tribute to the great nationalist as well as the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the motherland,” he added.
Lauding the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters to get Goa liberated from the Portuguese, the deputy Chief Minister paid tributes to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia for giving a clarion call to the people of Goa to oppose the colonial power.
