Citizens seek clarity on the future of the chapel, religious statues and activities at the TB sanatorium atop Monte Hill amid the land survey. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
The TB sanatorium atop Monte Hill, a legacy left behind by Padre Miranda, was inspected by the Land Survey Department on Monday, even as citizens urged the government to preserve its heritage, including the chapel, religious statues and longstanding religious activities.
The appeal comes after officials from the department inspected the property to verify its boundaries and confirm its ownership, following an application submitted by the medical superintendent of the TB sanatorium.
Records show that the sanatorium was established on February 1, 1935, by the Padre Miranda Trust to cater to the medical needs of tuberculosis patients. Apart from its medical wards and administrative block, the sanatorium houses a chapel where the annual feast is celebrated on March 19. Local residents also participate in Eucharistic celebrations held at the chapel on the first Friday of every month. The premises additionally feature two statues of religious significance.
Speaking to the media, citizens led by Holy Spirit Church parish priest Fr Domingos Noronha stressed the need to safeguard the heritage associated with the institution, particularly as the land survey is being conducted to establish the status of the property.
“We have seen old structures being razed in the name of development. But here is a place where Padre Miranda left behind a rich legacy of serving the poor. If you visit the sanatorium, you will find a chapel and a couple of statues. This is a reminder that while the hospital provided medical facilities, these religious structures offered patients and others a place to pray to the Almighty for their speedy recovery,” Fr Noronha said.
Former Margao Municipal Council chairperson Savio Coutinho pointed out that the chapel within the sanatorium falls under the jurisdiction of the Holy Spirit Church.
“The annual feast is celebrated at the chapel, and people also attend Mass on the first Friday of every month. Besides, people come here to pray the Rosary. We are highlighting these traditions to ensure that the government protects and maintains the legacy and heritage of the hospital,” Coutinho said.
Citizens have called upon the authorities to ensure that any decisions concerning the property take into account its historical, medical and religious significance, so that the legacy of Padre Miranda and the Padre Miranda Trust is preserved for future generations.
