PANAJI
"We can sleep peacefully only because our armed forces are awake and living on the borders of our country. Their act of valour always remains as the source of inspiration in the younger generation and fills patriotism and courage in the heart," said Governor of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai at the Armed Forces Flag Day function held at Raj Bhavan (Durbar Hall) on Tuesday.Also present were Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, First Lady of the State Adv Rita Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Secretary; Secretary, Department of Sainik Welfare, Maj Venugopal Nair and Senior retired members of armed forces and other dignitaries.
Secretary, Department of Sainik Welfare Maj Venugopal Nair pinned the Armed Forces Flag Day sticker on Governor of Goa PS Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant and Chief Secretary. Governor appreciated their services in times of national crisis and calamities.
Appealing to all the citizens of the State to donate generously to Armed Forces Flag Day to support the schemes of the welfare and education to their dependent, the Governor said, the armed forces serve the noble cause and we must remember to take care of their welfare and their family needs.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that he wanted to promote this day throughout the State at a wider extent not only to show respect to the armed forces but to encourage the youth to join the forces in large numbers.
The Chief Minister further said government has provided the available facilities to the ones who are retired from the service as a respect towards their service from the government.
Remembering the Operation Vijay he said, Goa will never forget the contribution of armed forces in Operation Vijay. "I salute all the brave heros who participated in the Operation Vijay to free Goa."
The Directorate of Higher Education, Directorate of Woman and Child Development and Commissioner of Excise were awarded on the occasion at the hands of the Governor for highest collection towards the contribution for welfare fund.
A tribute song to the martyrs was presented by Samiksha Bhobe Kakodkar.
