Remembering freedom fighter Alfred Afonso

Alfred Afonso was a freedom fighter whose legacy is showcased at the Sinquerim-based Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People. Born at Galgibaga, in Canacona, on March 11, 1924, to Anthony Francisco Afonso, Alfred received education up to the senior level at Cambridge.  In 1952, he became the president of the Bombay branch of the National Congress (Goa). On August 15, 1954, he led a batch of 14 Satyagrahis at Terekhol Fort, hoisted the Tricolour and held the fort for a day. He was then arrested, beaten and flogged; he was tried by the Military Tribunal and on March 31, 1955, was sentenced to eight years' rigorous imprisonment and three years' simple imprisonment at Aguada jail. Upon his release in 1959, he organised the National Trade Union Congress in Goa and worked as the General Secretary of the National Mine Workers' Union. He was honoured by the Government of Goa, Daman and Diu on June 18, 1981.