HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 15 A newly formed committee headed by senior journalist and freedom fighter Flaviano Dias has demanded cancellation of Portuguese names designated to several roads, villages and localities and rename the same after national heroes, freedom fighters and eminent personalities loyal to this country and state. The committee named 'Goa liberation-50: From Torture to Strength and Progress' has been formed to chalk-out exhaustive year-long programme to create awareness about Goa's freedom struggle. Working president of the committee Subhash Velingkar said, "The demand would be placed before the government. This is not just the demand of this committee but from a section of the society. We will pressurize the government till it comes out with a decision in this regard." The committee will also programmes in villages where freedom fighters rebelled against the Portuguese regime. "We want to visit those villages and places where rebellion took place and hold functions there. The aim is to make locals aware about the importance of these places," he Velingkar mentioned. "If possible, we will felicitate freedom fighters who participated in the rebellion of their respective villages," he added. The committee's year-long programmes will commence from February 20 at Kala Academy where Goa's first martyr Bala Raya Mapari, who died on February 18, 1955, will be remembered. The inaugural would also see release of special issues based on various historical aspects of Goa's freedom struggle. "The 6th volume of prestigious 'Vishwa Charitra Kosh' would also be released on the occasion," Velingkar informed. Apart from this, the committee would also pay gratitude to six freedom fighters - Prabhakar Sinari, Nagesh Karmali, Verissimo Coutinho, Madhukar Mordekar, Chandrakant Kenkre and Flaviano Dias. "This is not felicitation but an act to convey that we are indebted to these brave hearts," Velingkar stated. The committee with its 600 volunteers is aiming to associate with around 250 organizations for the entire programme.
http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Cancel-Portuguese-street-names-Panel/45717.html
