Margao – Most unfortunate that Government fails to keep up with its own commitment to commemorate 16th January Opinion Poll Day as “Asmitai Dis” with an Official Function. It is the duty of the Government to celebrate this historic day & remember all those known & unknown Goans who contributed to retain Identity of Goa, stated Madganvcho Awaaz and Youth Leader Prabhav Naik.
Releasing a video dated 19th July 2024 of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant giving an assurance in Goa Legislative Assembly that 16th January will be celebrated annually as “Asmitai Dis” with an Official Function, Prabhav Naik slammed the Government for not organising any function and not releasing any advertisments in local media to celebrate Opinion Poll Day.
It is because of Opinion Poll that Goa retained its identity. It was because of the referrendum of 16th January 1967 that Konkani could get Official Language Status and later Goa became 25th State of Republic of India, claimed Prabhav Naik.
How can Government forget the assurance given by the Chief Minister in Goa Legislative Assembly? This shows that there is problem with the administration, said Prabhav Naik.
Eminent Goans like my Great Grandfather Narcinva Damodar Naik, my Grandfather Anant alias Babu Naik, Dr. Jack Sequeira, Purshottam Kakodkar, Shabu Dessai, Ravindra Kelekar, Shankar Ramani, Vasudev Sarmalkar, Uday Bhembre, Chandrakant Keni, Ulhas Buyao, N.Shivdas, Victoria Fernandes, Ravi Naik and many others worked tirelessly to protect the identity of Goa in 1967, said Prabhav Naik.
Madganvcho Awaaz will commemorate this day from 2026 onwards. It is important that days of historic importance are observed so that next generations remain connected with our past. We hope better sense will prevail with the government in the near future, stated Prabhav Naik.
