PANAJI: In order to liberate Goa from the autocratic rule of the Portuguese many people plunged into the movement for Goa’s liberation and one among them was a young, brave youth, late Bala Raya Mapari who embraced death at the tender age of 26 years to became the first martyr of Goa’s freedom struggle stated Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant while addressing a function organized by the Department of Information and Publicity to commemorate the 70th death anniversary ( Balidan Diwas ) of the first martyr of Goa’s freedom struggle Hutatma Bala Raya Mapari at Assnora, Bardez today
The function was organized in association with Goa Bhandari Samaj and Bala Raya Mapari Smarak Dekhrekh Samiti. The Chief Minister speaking further said Bala Raya Mapari who was inspired with the motive of liberation of Goa and selflessly plunged into freedom struggle of Goa. His bravery and valour resulted in fueling the movement for the liberation of Goa.
The Government, Dr Sawant said has done a lot for the welfare of the families of freedom fighters. The freedom fighters outside Goa also have been remembered and to pay rich tributes to them the Government has extended financial assistance to their families. One such freedom fighter from Haryana, Colonal Benipal Singh, who is survived by his wife, has been given financial assistance of Rs 10 lakhs, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister speaking further said Government intends to sustain memories of these freedom fighters and to pay rich tribute to the brave Hutatma Bala Raya Mapari, the Government will construct a house within a year where in artifacts related to his memory will be preserved. This initiative will help sustain his memories for generation he said.
The Minister for Water Resources, Subhash Shirodkar while speaking said that we are indebted to our freedom fighters. Today we are enjoying freedom at the cost of their sacrifice and martyrdom he said. The Government recently has extended financial assistance of Rs 10 lakhs to the families of 14 freedom fighters as a token of our indebtedness towards these freedom fighters, he said.
Minister for Fisheries Nilkanth Halarnkar in his address said that during Goa’s freedom struggle movement, Assnora was a center point. He said Hutatma Bala Mapari displayed amazing and exemplary courage and bravery. He appealed to the youth to derive inspiration from Mapari to work for the betterment society and Goa at large.
Daughter of Hutatma Mapari, Laxmi Chandrakant Chodankar, Director Nehru Yuva Kendra, Kalidas Ghatwal, Rashtriy OBC Mahasangth, Goa Head, Madhu Naik, Rashtriy OBC Mahasangth, Goa Head, Goa Vice-President, Nonu Naik, Nephew of Hutama Mapari, Dnyaneshwar R Mapari, Editor of Bahujan Awaj daily, Suresh Naik, Ex-Chairman of Institute Menezes Braganza, Sanjay Harmalkar, Director, Department of Information and Publicity, Dipak Bandekar, Information Officers Alwyn Pereira, Kiran Munankar, Assistant Information Officer, Nikhil Prajakte, Information Assistant, Govind Gaonkar and others were present at the function.
Earlier, ZP Member Diksha Kandolkar welcomed the gathering while Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Assnora Meghashyam Chodankar proposed the vote of thanks.