the goan I network
PANAJI
Less than three days after according a warm reception to Portugal president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa last weekend, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday presided over the official State function to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maratha king, Shivaji, at Farmagudi where he lamented that the warrior king’s bids to conquer Goa from the colonial power went abegging.
Referring to recorded history which documents Shivaji’s attempts to annex Goa were repelled by the Portuguese, Sawant said
the region would not
have had to suffer atrocities under colonial Portuguese rule.
Sawant went on to say that in today’s day and age it would be impossible to replicate the reign in Goa like that of Shivaji (Shivkalin Rajya), adding however, that his government will do its best to imitate the Maratha king’s rule.
Sawant in his speech as chief guest said: “Shivaji and Goa have an unbreakable bond... Goa could have been free, or rather we would have been free of Portuguese rule, if he had conquered Goa then.”
Sawant claimed that Shivaji did make some inroads in Pernem, Bardez, Sattari and Ponda in several attempts but could not conquer Goa from the Portuguese.
Ironically, Sawant hosted de Souza in the State on Saturday and Sunday last. The delegation headed by the Portugual President also formalized several pacts of mutual co-operation including one with the Goa Public Works Department (PWD) which will have the Portuguese monitor efficiency and quality of water and sewerage projects.
Sawant said a Shivaji-like reign cannot be ushered in now, adding that help and co-operation of the people of Goa was paramount if governance of the golden age of the Maratha reign is to be replicated.
Speaking further, Sawant articulated plans to renovate the fort alongside the road at Farmagudi circle. It houses a statue of the Maratha warrior on horseback and every year homage is paid to him by the State.
The chief minister said the Fort will also showcase the ‘Shivkalin Rajya’ through historic documents (archival) and paintings.
