MESSAGE
On this glorious day of Goa Revolution on 18th June, I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Goa, particularly to all the Freedom Fighter brothers and sisters.
2. The evening of 18th June, 1946 at Margao is an unforgettable day in the history of Goa’s Freedom struggle. It is on this evening that Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia a great nationalist and valiant Freedom Fighter against the British Rule, arrived in Margao and defied the Portuguese regime to make a speech that electrified and galvanised the masses to aggressively fight for their freedom from a very repressive Portuguese colonial rule. Dr. Lohia had actually come to take rest in Goa in the Assolna home of Dr. Julias Menezes who was his friend. However, the moment he arrived in Goa, he became restless when he heard about the oppressive rule of the Portuguese regime and denial of basic civil rights to the people of Goa. Thus begun a new defining phase of Goa’s freedom struggle that ended with the liberation of Goa, 15 years later on 19-12-1961.
3. On this day, let us salute the towering stature of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and bow our heads in homage to all the freedom fighters from Goa and other States who suffered and sacrificed their lives for achievement of liberation of Goa. Let us also remember with the gratitude all the freedom fighters who are still living today and make it a point to remember and recognize their noble services because of which today all the people of Goa are able to enjoy freedom and determine their own destiny.
4. On this historic occasion let us to pledge to dedicate ourselves to promote peace and prosperity in the State of Goa.
P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
Governor of Goa
16th June, 2022