Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today greeted the people on the eve of the 54th anniversary of Goa Liberation Day.
Parsekar said the day reminds all Goans of the struggle and sacrifices made by the freedom fighters for gaining independence from 450 years of colonial (Portuguese) rule.
Since liberation, Goa has managed to achieve significant growth and progress in many sectors such as education, tourism, healthcare, social justice and rural development, he said, appealing the people to unite for building a modern, developed and a progressive state.
The governor said in her message that Goa became free on December 19, 1961, and it was the duty of the present generations to not only remember those who fought for freedom but also to take note of their "immense discipline which we should imbibe to safeguard and secure the hard-fought freedom".
Care needs to be taken to preserve the glorious tradition and heritage of Goa by the government and the citizens, she said, adding that alongwith fundamental freedoms we also have "fundamental responsibilities".
"Today, we have to solve many social issues which plague us....We have to tide over our individual preferences for collective good of society...On social front, we have to keep Goa away from evils like crime, drug addiction and AIDS. These vices are against our traditions," she said.
Sinha also appealed to the citizens of Goa to contribute to the implementation of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for which she is one of the brand ambassadors.
"I have short-listed Panaji, Mapusa, Ponda and Vasco as model cities for the purpose of cleanliness drives...I once again appeal to the people of Goa to contribute selflessly in the interests of state and the country to make Swachh Bharat Abhiyan a success," she added.
