MARGAO
Goa commemorated the death anniversary of the great Goan nationalist Dr Francisco Luis Gomes on Monday, with Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira saying the State marks the day not just to acknowledge his achievements, but also to remember the spirit of resilience and hope he embedded and his work for the benefit of the society.
Addressing students and citizens at the official function at the Dr Francisco Luis Gomes memorial at Navelim on Monday morning, Sequeira said Dr Gomes was a great son of Goa, a hero not just in Goan history, but in the history of India. “Dr Gomes made a significant contribution to the fields of literature, politics and education. He used his voice to champion the voice of Goans during the colonial era. He was deeply committed to justice and equality. He saw it as a life mission to advance the cause of freedom, truth and justice,” Sequeira said, adding that Dr Gomes had fought against slavery and strove for the creation of a society based on liberty, equality and fraternity.
Complimenting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for delivering his commitment made last year to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr Gomes as a State function, Sequeira said, “I am happy to know that ex-Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro and parish priest of Navelim Church, Dr Gabriel Coutinho expressed their gratitude and congratulated the Chief Minister for living up to his commitment,” he said.
In his address, former Chief Minister Faleiro said that Dr Gomes had been his inspiration in his entire life, be it as a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister of Goa or as an MP. “I have strived hard all along my life to propagate the ideals of Dr Gomes,” Faleiro said.
Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, Navelim Parish Priest Fr Gabriel Coutinho, Zilla panchayat member Cipru Cardozo, Navelim Sarpanch Lucia Carvalho, Collector Asvin Chandru, SP, South Sunita Sawant, DySP Santosh Desai were present for the function.
