PANAJI: Our Constitution is not just a legal document but a living testament to the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It is a beacon of hope and a guide for us to navigate the challenges of a modern and complex world, stated Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai at the State Level 76th Republic Day celebrations held at Taleigao on Sunday.
The Governor further speaking mentioned that Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of this monumental work, along with the illustrious Constituent Assembly, gifted us this framework to preserve unity in diversity and to empower every citizen of this great nation.
The Governor speaking further said that on this Republic Day, we should salute the freedom fighters and martyrs, who made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom, unity and integrity of our nation. Today let us also express our gratitude to the brave men and women of our armed forces, police, and civil services who ensure our safety, he said.
The Governor highlighting the achievement of the Government of the State said that the Government has been doing a commendable job for the progress and development of Goa by providing infrastructure in the form of roads, railways, airports and bridges.
“I would like to highlight that this year, Manohar International Airport at Mopa in Pernem Taluka has been honoured with the prestigious title of best domestic airport at the India’s Best Award (IBA),” the Governor said.
e Governor lauding the Government said that the State under able leadership of Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant has dedicated itself to the cause of making Goa self-reliant. “Swayampurna Goa” is the mission of the Goa Government in line with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat-Gharib Kalyan’ programme of Government of India, with the vision of “Transforming Goa into a Self-reliant, Self-Sustainable State with minimum Government and maximum Governance to ensure last mile delivery. He said adding that empowering villages, and reviving rural economy is a sole purpose of this programme.
The mission of Antodaya, Sarvodaya and Gramodaya for transformation of every Goan citizen into a self-reliant individual has contributed towards a self-reliant Goa, he added.
Governor said that the people of Goa are peace loving and friendly. Different communities in Goa co-exist in complete harmony. This, combined with Goa’s extraordinary natural beauty, makes it a very popular destination to visit. “No wonder, Goa is one of India’s smallest State in size (area) but it has the highest per capita income in India,” he said adding that Goa is thus a prosperous State. Goa has a high rate of economic growth, among the highest in the country. Goa is well connected to metropolitan cities and centres of trade and commerce through road, rail, and sea-routes as well as by air.
Governor further also said that Goa is one of the fastest growing States in the country. Goa was ranked to be the best amongst all the States in India in all categories. It is among the top three States in the Country. Due to this achievements of the State Government the Eleventh Finance Commission ranked Goa as the Best Placed State in the country in terms of infrastructure facilities. On the occasion, the Governor inspected the parade and received the guard of honour.
Secretary Higher Education Prasad V Lolayekar, IAS; Supdt of Police Akshat Kaushal, IPS and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Praveen Kumar Raghav, IFS were conferred with ‘The Chief Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation in Governance and Public Service Delivery”, for the work done in the State Administration at the hands of Pillai.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Advocate General, Adv Devidas Pangam, MP Sadanand Shet Tanawade, Director General Police Goa Alok Kumar IPS, Secretaries, Under Secretaries to the Government HODs of Various Government Departments, Freedom Fighters, prominent citizens attended the function