Ponda: The Mardanagad Conservation Committee has resolved to work in an organized and effective manner for the conservation of all forts in Goa, along with the preservation of their history and culture. This decision was taken in a recent meeting held at the hall of the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Dhavali. The meeting was attended by Shri Rajendra Desai and Mrs. Supriya Ketkar from the Mardanagad Conservation Committee; Shri Viraj Desai, Goa State Convener of Bajrang Dal; historian Sachin Madge; Shri Satyavijay Naik, Goa State Coordinator of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti; former Election Commissioner of Goa Shri Narayan Navati; Shri Jayesh Thali from the Gomantak Mandir Mahasangh; Shri Sanket Arsekar; as well as lovers of history, art, Shivaji enthusiasts, and representatives of spiritual organizations from Goa. The meeting was convened with the aim of presenting information about the conservation work already undertaken for the Mardanagad fort in Ponda and to determine the direction of future initiatives.
At the beginning, Shri Satyavijay Naik stressed the importance of spreading awareness about the work carried out by the Mardanagad Conservation Committee. During the meeting, Shivpremi Sanghatana’s Shri Ichchhit Phaldessai proposed the idea of organizing a state-level fort model building competition on the occasion of Diwali and also presented its outline. The proposal received a positive response from those present. It was expressed that such a competition would increase awareness among the youth about historical forts. For the implementation of this initiative and to carry forward the mission of fort conservation, an executive committee was formed under the name “Akhil Gomantak Shivpremi Sanghatana.” The committee comprises of President: Shri Sanket Arsekar, Vice Presidents: Shri Rajendra Desai and Shri Satyavijay Naik, Treasurer: Shri Sujay Desai, Members: Shri Suchendra Agni, Shri Jayesh Thali, Shri Viraj Desai, Shri Manoj Gavkar, Mrs. Supriya Ketkar, Shri Govind Govekar, Shri Gaurish Kavlekar, and Shri Navadip Naik. Advisory Committee Members: Shri Narayan Navati, Shri Narayan Nadkarni, Shri Sanjay Desai, Shri Vishwas Prabhu, and historian Shri Sachin Madge. These committees will soon begin their work and give new direction to this mission.
