n CM to constitute experts panel n Subject to be included from 2019 academic year n Vijai, Lobo firm on Sequeira’s statue
the goan I network
MARGAO
Asserting that the Opinion Poll occupies a significant place in Goa’s history, Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday promised to include the Opinion Poll movement in the school curriculum from the 2019 academic year, even as many a leading light of the historic movement were honoured and recognised on the occasion of the 51st year of the Opinion Poll.
While the Chief Minister was silent on the popular demand for the installation of Dr Jack de Sequeira’s statue in the Goa Assembly complex, deputy Speaker and BJP leader Michael Lobo vowed to table a resolution in the Assembly in support of Dr Sequeira’s statue in the Assembly. TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, on the other hand, promised that he along with Michael and other leaders will constantly do the follow up with the Chief Minister on the inclusion of Opinion Poll’s history in the school syllabus.
Addressing students, citizens and the Opinion Poll stalwarts and their relatives at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao after the unveiling of the portraits of the 38 stalwarts of the Opinion Poll movement, the Chief Minister said the history books have neither Goa’s liberation struggle nor the historic Opinion Poll. He announced plans to constitute a panel of experts to go into the Opinion Poll movement before it is included in the school syllabus. “A panel of various people will study the liberation struggle and the Opinion Poll. Including a subject in the school curriculum in coming academic year may not be possible, I would like to promise that the subject on opinion poll will find a place in the school history books in the 2019 academic year”, Parrikar said.
Saying that the Opinion Poll completely removed the fears in the minds of Goans over the State’s merger, Parrikar said that all Goans, irrespective of religion, caste and language had participated in the movement. “The Opinion Poll was the not the battle of any particular area, but of all Goans. It was a combined effort by everyone that brought success and help retain the Goan identity. Even MGP leaders and workers supported the movement. The campaign theme was centered around one aspect that neither Bandodkar nor any Goan will become the CM of Maharashtra and Goa will get only two MLAs, which was accepted by many”, he said, while saying there is no harm if more names of stalwarts are added.
In his address, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai assured the gathering that he along with Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo will maintain a close vigil to ensure that Chief Minister’s promise becomes a reality. “We in the government are ready to face any challenges to protect Goem, Goenkar and Goemkarponn. The Opinion Poll movement was launched against Goa’s merger into Maharashtra. Now, we face a bigger challenge, to ensure that outside forces do not merge into Goa and dilute our identity”, he said.
In his brief address, deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo said Jack Sequeira’s statue will materialise in the Goa Legislative Assembly complex before the 52nd Opinion Poll anniversary. Saying that he would table a resolution in the Goa Assembly in support of Sequeira’s statue, Michael exuded confidence that the resolution will evoke support from all the 40 MLAs . He also suggested that the portrait of the stalwarts of the Opinion Poll movement should find a place in the Assembly precincts.
