Panaji: In the first-ever public function after his return from the USA where he was for a treatment, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that the fight against the colonial power in the state is incomplete without redressing of the issues like Portuguese-era land ownerships in the State.
Parrikar was speaking in a state level function held to commemorate Goa Revolution Day, which marks a day when freedom fighter Dr Ram Manohar Lohia had given clarion call to fight against Portuguese power in the year 1946.
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha was the Chief Guest for the state level function.
“The struggle which began 72 years back (in 1946) resulted into the liberation of Goa in the year 1961 but I feel the fight is yet to be over,” the chief minister said referring to the issue of enemy land at Mayem village.
“The issue of Mayem (evacuee property) is a part of this struggle (against colonial rule) and I am personally working to solve it as soon as possible,” the chief minister said.
Parrikar referred to the speech by a freedom fighter Chandrakant Pednekar, during the function, in which he had pointed out to the need to free the lands in Mayem village of North Goa from being the evacuee property, which is still in the custody of a landlord appointed by then Portuguese government.
Parrikar admitted that his sickness and absence from the State has delayed the government’s resolve to make Goa plastic free in the year 2018.
“We will work towards making plastic free Goa in the year 2018. State government’s resolve towards it was delayed due to my sickness but it will gain momentum again now,” said Parrikar, who returned last week from his three month long treatment in the USA.
The chief minister rued that he has personally witnessed how most educated people throw plastic bags full of garbage at the roadside. “There is a reason why even educated people behave like this. It is because they are educated but without knowledge,” he said.
Parrikar said that on the occasion of Goa Revolution Day we should torch a flame of knowledge. “The need is to have Revolution of knowledge in the State and not just the education,” he commented.
