CM Urges Youth to Help Build a ‘Viksit Goa’ by 2037
Panaji:
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant called on Goans, especially the youth, to work towards making Goa a fully developed state ‘Viksit Goa’ by 2037. He was speaking at the 39th Goa Statehood Day celebrations held at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy on Friday.
Sawant highlighted the state’s rapid development under the twin pillars of ‘Virasat aur Vikas’ (heritage and development), and reiterated his government’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa a self-reliant and inclusive vision for the future. Recalling milestones like the Opinion Poll and the language agitation, he paid tribute to Goa’s freedom fighters and torchbearers of identity.
Goa Achieves 100% Literacy
In a significant announcement, Goa was declared fully literate under the ULLHAS New India Literacy Programme by Archana Awasthi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education. She termed the milestone a “historic achievement” and an example for other Indian states.
Honouring Goan Icons
Ten iconic Goan institutions and businesses were felicitated for their role in preserving Goan identity and contributing to the economy. These included Café Tato, Big Foot, John Distilleries, Zantye Cashew, Titos, and others.
Awards under the Bhasha Puraskar Yojana were also presented to notable contributors to Konkani and Marathi literature, including Manikrao Ram Nayak Gaunekar and Shambhu Bhau Bandekar.
Celebrating Culture and Progress
The event also saw the launch of a new web series ‘Bharat Hai Hum’ by the Department of Archives and the release of three books on Goa’s cultural and developmental journey.
Among the dignitaries present were cabinet ministers, senior officials, and community leaders. Minister Mauvin Godinho, in his address, praised Goa’s progress over the last decade and defended the government against criticism, attributing it to visible development work.
