Madganvcho Awaaz Demands Year Long Celebrations Of 60 Years Of ‘Opinion Poll’

Margao : As Goa prepares to mark 60 years of the historic Opinion Poll of 16 January 1967, Madganvcho Awaaz & Youth Leader Prabhav Naik has strongly urged the Government of Goa to declare 2026 as the commencement year of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of this landmark democratic event, which decisively safeguarded Goa’s distinct cultural, linguistic and social identity.

In a detailed representation addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, youth leader Prabhav Naik highlighted that the Opinion Poll was a defining democratic exercise that altered the course of Goa’s history, ultimately leading to the recognition of Konkani as the Official Language and the attainment of Statehood. He stressed that the completion of 59 years and the beginning of the Diamond Jubilee year, leading to the 60th anniversary, deserves far more than symbolic observance.

The representation demanded year-long, State-supported celebrations across Goa, commencing with a grand State-level function on 16 January 2026 and culminating with State Asmitai Dis celebrations on 16 January 2027. It was emphasised that such landmark events must not be reduced to token programmes and should witness the compulsory presence of the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Leader of Opposition, MLAs, MPs, local self-government representatives and senior officials.

The appeal further called for formal felicitation of living stalwarts of the Janmat Kaul movement, including Adv. Uday Bhembre and N. Shivdas, and honouring the families of departed leaders such as Dr. Jack Sequeira, Purushottam Kakodkar, Shabu Dessai, Ulhas Buyao, Victoria (Mami) Fernandes, Ravi Sitaram Naik and other unsung heroes who played a crucial role in defending Goa’s identity.

Serious concern was also expressed over the recent Directorate of Education circular that made Opinion Poll Day observance optional for schools and placed the financial burden on educational institutions. Madganvcho Awaaz asserted that commemorating Opinion Poll Day cannot be optional and must be the responsibility of the State Government, with full financial support and mandatory observance.

Reiterating that Goa’s identity was not gifted but democratically fought for and defended, Prabhav Naik appealed to the Government to act with urgency and seriousness. Madganvcho Awaaz stressed that the Diamond Jubilee of the Opinion Poll must be commemorated with dignity, inclusiveness and scale, befitting its historic significance for the people of Goa—past, present and future.