the goan I network
MARGAO
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was remembered in the Congress stronghold of Curtorim on his first death anniversary on Friday by a group of citizens, including elected representatives, with Curtorim Congress ZP member Moreno Rebello patting the BJP on its back for taking the bold step of abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution.
BJP Curtorim in-charge Bhavesh Zambaulikar went a step further on the occasion to say the time is not far away when the Lotus will bloom in Curtorim.
Curtorim Sarpanch Rui Menezes, Deputy Sarpanch Simon Barretto, Curtorim ZP member Moreno Rebello, former Sarpanch of Raia Xavier Fernandes, besides Curtorim-based doctor Dr Ernest Rodrigues and Anthony Barbosa paid homage to the former Prime Minister.
ZP member Moreno said Vajpayee’s vision and dreams have become a big force for the BJP in the country. “I had contested on the Congress, but certain steps taken by the BJP are in the right direction, especially the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. If we are going to be one nation, there cannot be separate rules and a separate flag for one state. This is ridiculous. That particular time it might have been good, but what has been done now is correct. May be the concept of Bharatiya has not come into Goan mentality, but we should think as Indians and then only the country will progress,” Moreno added.
After lighting the traditional lamp to pay homage to Vajpayee, Dr Ernest Rodrigues recalled that world leaders had called Vajpayee a statesman because of his numerous quality as he believed in the principle of humanism. “Vajpayee was one leader who respected the liberty of every citizen. He was a victim of emergency, but when he came to power, he respected the liberty of every citizen. He reached out to all citizens, irrespective of political affiliations,” Dr Ernest said, while urging the younger generation to emulate the good qualities of the former Prime Minister.
Curtorim Sarpanch Rui Menezes and his deputy Simon both said Vajpayee was a great leader who had a vision for India to take the country to great heights.
In his address, former Raia Sarpanch Xavier said Vajpayee had made immense contribution for the country since the Jan Sangh days. “If the BJP is having a majority of its own in Parliament, it is because of great leader such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had a great vision for India and its people,” Xavier said, adding that the government of India should declared Vajpayee’s death anniversary an important day.
