UDAY SAWANT
VALPOI
It was meant to be a monument to remember the freedom fighters, but six years after construction, the Rs 10 lakh Freedom Fighter’s memorial lies forgotten and unused at Dhave-Sattari as it is yet to be inaugurated.
According to reports, Nagargao panchayat was sanctioned Rs 10 lakh as part of the Golden Jubilee Fund which they used to build a Freedom Fighter’s memorial.
Work on the project began in 2009 and the memorial was completed in 2013. In 2014, attempts were made to inaugurate the project and invitation cards were even printed for the inaugural function.
However, the locals objected as local panch Gopika Gaonkar’s name had been omitted from the invitation card. The inaugural ceremony was called off and since then the memorial has not been inaugurated.
Social activist Kishore Bhave said Dhave village has been a historical place as far as a revolution regarding India’s struggle for independence was
concerned.
“Hence, there was a public demand to have a memorial for the freedom fighters in this area. After spending Rs 10 lakh on the project which got completed six years ago, the Freedom Fighter’s memorial still awaits inauguration,”
said Bhave.
When contacted, Nagargao Sarpanch Lakshmi Harwalkar claimed she was ignorant in the matter.
“I have taken charge as sarpanch six months ago and I am unaware about the confusion regarding the inauguration of the Freedom Fighter’s memorial. However, this panchayat will surely move a step forward to inaugurate the Freedom Fighter’s memorial after consulting the local MLA and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane,” said Harwalkar.
