PANAJI
In a fitting tribute to the martyrs of the Cuncolim revolt of July 15, 1583 against the Portuguese, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said Goa will pay tributes at National War Memorial on July 15 every year.
Speaking at a function on the occasion of the Goa Statehood Day in the presence of Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Sawant said the central government has asked States to mark one day of the year for paying tributes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
It is a day when a chief minister, minister or any representative of the State will pay respect to martyrs at the National War Memorial, he said.
Goa has decided to observe July 15 as the day to mark the Cuncolim revolt, which was the first rebellion against the then Portuguese government in 1583, Sawant said.
The revolt had taken place at Cuncolim village in South Goa district. Five Jesuit priests along with a Portuguese civilian and 14 Goans were killed in the incident.
The local Portuguese garrison had retaliated by executing the village chieftains involved in the revolt. The villagers have constructed a memorial in the name of the killed chieftains.
Sawant however acknowledged the Portuguese contribution in setting up Goa Medical College which was the first medical college of Asia.
"Many people will feel why only one institution, Goa Medical College is felicitated but we should know that GMC is the first medical college of Asia which was built in 1847. We should proudly talk about it. No doubt Portuguese had committed many atrocities against us we have to also mention that they have started a good institution", he said.
Sawant also announced that during the Statehood Day function every year, the government will felicitate organisations which have contributed towards the development of Goa.
"Many companies from the mining sector and pharmaceutical companies have contributed to Goa's development. The Dempos, Chowgules, Salgaonkars have also contributed to Goa's economy before the liberation. We had never felicitated them, this is the first time we have initiated such a move to felicitate them", Sawant said.
During the function on Monday, the government also felicitated all previous chief ministers and representatives of the deceased CMs.
