the goan I network
MARGAO
As India completes 72 years of Independence, ‘Gaur Army’ -- the 12th man of FC Goa as their popularly known -- started the celebrations in the most beautiful way ever with a soulful rendition of the Indian national anthem ahead of the Independence Day.
In its continued efforts to reach out to every section of their football family, this time the Gaur Army is making the Independence Day even more special, not only to FC Goa but to the entire community.
Perhaps, it was a “historic occasion” wherein the special children from Margao-based Gujarati Samaj School for Handicapped performed the national anthem in sign language with a touching performance. The video of the event will be released on all social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram pages of the Gaur Army.
The rendition was made special as the background music was composed by well-known Goan music artist, Santoor player Naresh Madgaokar with former Voice of Goa Sabino Dias, tabla artist Vaishnav Shanbag, and Sidharth Mehta. The video is edited by Arpit Verma.
Speaking on the occasion, member of Gaur Army, Sidharth Mehta said, “Gaur Army is a family of FC Goa and has a vision that football’s overall fan culture and development will be only complete when our ‘divyangjan’ become an integral part of it and come forward in the nation building.” Another member, John Lloyd Dias said, “No matter how many versions of our national anthem are made, this will always be the most heart-warming and emotional rendition and close to our hearts.”
Conrad Barreto said that the activity reflects where football fans, who may not be as loud as the most in stadium but certainly give every citizen goosebumps, and unite the nation in one voice. Another die-hard FC Goa fan Abhijeet Sawant said, “Such platforms like Gaur Army have given new wings to the football culture in Goa with chanting culture and away trips and appealed to all Goans to join Gaur Army which has big plans to revive the football culture of Goa like never seen before.”
