MARGAO
Saying that the great Goan nationalist Dr Francisco Luis Gomes had a vision for Akhand Bharat and the liberation of motherland India and Goa from the colonial powers, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday announced that the government would soon notify the birth and death anniversary of Dr Gomes and will be commemorated as official function.
The Chief Minister further said the government would offer all support to take forward Dr Francisco Luis Gomes memorial project. He also promised to do a study on a request to protect the ancestral house of Dr Gomes at Navelim and protect his rich legacy for posterity.
The Chief Minister unveiled the life-size statue of Dr Gomes at Navelim in the presence of Salcete lone Minister Alexio Sequeira, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuemkar, Chairman of Dr Gomes Trust ex-Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro and others at Navelim on Thursday.
“I am lucky to get the privilege to unveil the statue of Dr Gomes. He has behind rich legacy. He spoke of Akhand Bharat. While being elected to Lisbon Parliament from Goa, Dr Gomes spoke about the freedom of motherland India and Goa from colonial powers. He proudly said in Lisbon parliament that he belongs to the race which composed the Mahabarat and invented Chess”, the Chief Minister said.
As a tribute to this great personality, the Chief Minister announced that the birth and death anniversary of Dr Gomes will be commemorated as state functions. “The deputy Collector of the area will lead the people and the students in commemorating the birth and death anniversaries of Dr Gomes as a state function”, he added.
Referring to his novel 'Os Brahamanes', the Chief Minister said Dr Gomes in the novel had made a strong case for the casteless society, by giving rights to the common man, irrespective of caste and creed.
In his brief address, Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira said Dr Gomes strived for the creation of a society based on liberty, equality and fraternity. “What we have to learn from Dr Gomes is his intense patriotism he had shown to his motherland, the country and his people”, he said.
Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuemkar complimented former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro for his initiative to build a memorial in Navelim befitting Dr Gomes. He also promised the people that he will carry out development of Navelim without any discrimination.
Navelim Parish Priest Fr Gabriel Coutinho drew attention of the Chief Minister to the dilapidated condition of the ancestral house of Dr Gomes and appealed to the Chif Minister to compete the memorial project.
In his address, ex-Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro said the dream of having a memorial and life-size statue of Dr Gomes befitting the great nationalist is coming true.
“Dr Gomes should be an inspiration for the younger generation. He was the first freedom fighter of India, who propounded freedom for India even before the Indian National Congress was born”, he said.
