Feeling at home especially in Goa: Portuguese President

Gets rousing welcome at Dabolim,Praises State’s ‘human micro-climate’

| FEBRUARY 16, 2020, 02:30 AM IST

the goan I network

PANAJI

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa who arrived in Goa on a two-day official visit was on Saturday accorded a warm reception at the Adilshah Palace, (Old Secretariat) symbolically the seat of power from where the Colonial power reigned over the territory for decades before it was finally liberated by Indian army action.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, CCP Mayor Uday Madkaikar among others attended the function where de Sousa said he was happy to be in Goa and was feeling at home especially in Goa due to its unique ‘’human micro-climate’’.

Sousa was addressing a select gathering here as a part of a seminar on urban designs organised by the state-run Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited.

“I feel a little bit proud, without nostalgia, about the cultural heritage that we left in Goa, like Daman and Diu. I find myself at home in India, and particularly in Goa.

Goa has a unique human micro climate which fosters friendship between India and Portugal,” he said.

Sousa said there are no first class or second class cultures, and “all cultures are first class cultures and civilization”.

He said his country and India signed several MoUs, including on universities, and added that “you (India) have one the first universities in the

world”.

Speaking at the seminar, Sousa said one cannot have a nostalgic vision of anything because “past is past and time just goes”.

“But the past can become the future if we learn from the past,” he added.

The co-operation between Portugal and Goa for the improvement of water and sewerage management was initiated in 2018, when the Goa-origin Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa, visited the State.

The MoU was signed between PWD and the Portuguese Environment Ministry to share Lisbon’s expertise in the management and water and in sewage.

We can learn a lot from each other: CM

PANAJI: The Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that it is important for Portugal and Goa to maintain ties with each other so that each can explore the opportunities to grow. The Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural of the Conference on Urban Design, organised by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited at Adil Shah Palace.

Dr Sawant said Portugal and Goa have so many similarities. He said there is a lot of Goan diaspora in Portugal. Dr Sawant also said that Goa and Portugal can have city to city contact which can be a learning experience.

Dr Sawant said that there is a lot where we can learn from each other. He said that Portugal has heritage cities which though modernised have still retained their character.