Goa to celebrate Revolution Day on June 18

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June 15, 2007 11:48 IST

Goa, an erstwhile Portuguese colony, will celebrate Goa Revolution Day on June 18 to commemorate the date when freedom fighter Ram Manohar Lohia gave a clarion call to the people of the state to resist the oppressive policies of the colonialists in 1946.

The state government has organised various functions in major cities like Panaji, Margao and Ponda to mark the day.      

In the main function, Governor S C Jamir will pay tribute to the memory of freedom fighters at Azad Maidan in Panaji.

Jamir in presence of Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will honour 38 freedom fighters who have contributed to the struggle of liberating Goa from the Portuguese regime, an official release said on Friday.

Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961 after 450 years. Veteran freedom fighter Lohia appealed to Goans to resist oppressive policies of the Portuguese government. The call had inspired many Goans to fight for the state's liberation.

On Monday, the freedom fighters will visit Aguada jail, a Portuguese-era fort-turned-prison, to pay homage to the memories of those who languished there fighting for liberation.

Aguada jail, located around 15 km from the capital city Panaji, tucked on the seashore, was the main prison where freedom fighters demanding liberation of Goa were locked.

The prison is still being used by Goa government for the criminals and undertrials.

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