Margao; January 2026: Madganvcho Awaaz has launched ‘Asmitai Vars’, a year-long series of activities to commemorate 60 years of the historic Opinion Poll of 1967, a defining moment that shaped Goa’s political, cultural and linguistic identity.
Senior advocate, former Margao MLA and Opinion Poll movement stalwart Adv. Uday Bhembre unveiled the initiative and described it as timely and meaningful, noting that while large sums are often spent on short-lived events, initiatives such as Asmitai Vars create lasting milestones for future generations. Youth leader Prabhav Naik and social worker Dattaraj Pai Fondekar were present on the occasion. Expressing pride in continuing the legacy of the Opinion Poll movement, Prabhav Naik said he was honoured to carry forward the contributions of his great-grandfather Narcinva Naik and grandfather Anant alias Babu Naik, both of whom played key roles in the historic movement. He added that Madganvcho Awaaz remains committed to honouring eminent Goans who have worked to safeguard Goa’s identity, language and culture. As part of the launch, Madganvcho Awaaz honoured living stalwarts of the Opinion Poll movement by visiting their residences and presenting them with mementoes, shawls and bouquets as a mark of respect and gratitude. Those honoured included Adv. Uday Bhembre, Prof. Shyam Verencar, Smriti Audi, Aruna Telang, N. Shivdas, Sadanand Kanekar and Tomazinho Cardozo, who played significant roles in the movement that determined Goa’s future. The honoured stalwarts appreciated the efforts of Madganvcho Awaaz in remembering the architects of the Opinion Poll and expressed confidence that Asmitai Vars would inspire the younger generation to understand, value and protect Goa’s unique identity and heritage.
Margao / North Goa – Class X students of VVM’s Vidya Vikas Academy, Margao, recently undertook an educational visit to the historic Aguad Port & Jail Complex in North Goa, offering them a deeper understanding of Goa’s rich heritage beyond classroom learning.
The visit included a guided tour of the Aguad Jail Complex and the Aguad Interactive Museum – Goa: The Land, The Struggle, The People. Through preserved exhibits, historical artefacts and detailed displays, students were introduced to Goa’s freedom fighters, their sacrifices and the broader liberation movement.
A key highlight of the visit was the museum’s innovative use of multimedia presentations, which brought Goa’s history to life in an engaging and accessible manner. The interactive installations helped students connect historical events with real-life narratives, making the learning experience both informative and enjoyable.
The educational field trip enabled students to appreciate Goa’s legacy in a unique way, fostering curiosity, awareness and respect for the state’s cultural and historical journey.
To commemorate the 64th Goa Liberation Day, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex at Sinquerim is opening its doors to Goan residents with no entry charge, allowing them to celebrate the historic occasion by reconnecting with the state’s liberation legacy. Goans can avail free entry by furnishing any government-certified identification or proof of residence.
As a prominent cultural and historical landmark, the Aguad Port and Jail Complex offers a poignant glimpse into Goa’s past and its long struggle for freedom. Once a place where freedom fighters were incarcerated, the complex today stands as a powerful reminder of their sacrifices and resilience. Visitors can explore former jail cells that have been transformed into a digital interactive museum, dedicated to narrating the stories of Goa’s freedom movement and the lives of those who fought for liberation.
The museum presents immersive narratives, archival material, and visual storytelling that help visitors understand the journey towards Goa’s liberation. A dedicated memorial wall honours the countless freedom fighters whose names are etched as a lasting tribute to their courage and contribution. The initiative encourages Goans to rediscover their heritage, reflect on the sacrifices made, and celebrate the spirit of freedom on this significant day.
The free-entry initiative will be available on Thursday, December 19, 2025, from 10 am onwards at the Aguad Port and Jail Complex, Sinquerim.
Panaji, November 2025: The second edition of the Heritage First Festival, a flagship initiative by the not-for-profit collective Heritage First Goa (HFG), commenced on November 14 at Panaji’s Azad Maidan, setting in motion a vibrant three-week exploration of Goa’s living, built and natural heritage.
The festival’s inauguration brought together seasoned resource persons, affectionately called “pilots,” who will lead 41 expert-curated walks and workshops across Goa. These experiences aim to help residents and visitors rediscover the layered histories, cultural stories, ecosystems and architectural marvels that define Goa.
Stories, Memories and Reflections at the Inaugural
The opening ceremony featured insightful reflections from senior journalist and author Sandesh Prabhudesai, historian and academic Dr. Maria Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues, and writer Shylendra Mehta—each offering glimpses of Panaji’s past and its cultural evolution.
Rodrigues shared vivid memories of the Central Library as a hub of learning and community interaction, noting how the city’s urban design drew from Lisbon-style planning with squares, promenade spaces and evocatively named streets.
Prabhudesai stressed the importance of linguistic heritage, delivering his speech in Konkani. He recalled the powerful role of spaces around Azad Maidan—like Café Prakash and Varsha Bookstore—as incubators for discussions, debates and public movements that shaped Goa’s civic landscape.
Mehta, a long-time Panaji resident, reflected on the life of the common man in earlier decades and concluded with a poetic tribute to the Mandovi River by Pandurang Bhangi.
Walks and Workshops Across Goa
The festival’s programming delves deep into Goa’s cultural and ecological diversity through curated experiences led by experts such as:
Subodh Kerkar: Art and heritage walks
Kilian Hughes: Environmental and nature trails
Katrina Fernandez: Ecological explorations
Pritha Sardessai: Architectural trails
Participants can choose from trails such as:
Khazan ecosystem walk in Chorao
Village walk in Saligao
Chicalim caves walk
São Jacinto river island walk
Night trails through Panaji
Hands-on workshops further bring culture to life, including:
Kaavi art sessions by Darpana Athale
Kunbi weave sessions with Mahalaxmi Bhobe
A community kitchen experience in Chorao led by Amreen Sheikh
A poetry walk through Parra’s fields with Meera Ganpathi
Petroglyph workshop at Usgalimal by Onkar Kshirsagar
Community, Collaboration & Cultural Preservation
Founded by heritage advocates Heta Pandit, Jack Ajit Sukhija, and Snigdha Manchanda, Heritage First Goa continues its mission to highlight stories, influences and traditions that have shaped Goa’s identity over centuries.
“It’s encouraging to see people of all ages come forward to experience aspects of Goa’s heritage that may even surprise long-time residents,” said HFG co-founder Heta Pandit. “This festival is about sparking curiosity about our collective past and using that awareness to preserve it.”
A unique element this year is the community adoption model where participants and local patrons sponsor individual heritage walks—strengthening grassroots involvement and sustaining festival operations.
Each walk or workshop is capped at small group sizes to ensure meaningful engagement and protect heritage spaces. Tickets are priced at ₹750 per session, with advance registration mandatory.
With immersive storytelling, expert-led explorations and hands-on cultural experiences, the Heritage First Festival 2025 promises to take Goa on an unforgettable journey through its layered history and vibrant cultural fabric.
The villages of Assolna, Velim, and Cuncolim, famously known as AVC, have a long history of courage. Before the Portuguese ever arrived in Goa, the gauncars of these villages served as respected warriors in Adil Shah’s army. But when the Portuguese began their campaign of conquest and religious conversion, AVC became a stronghold of resistance.
Unlike other parts of Salcette that gave in, the people of AVC refused to surrender. They rebuilt temples after they were destroyed, held rituals in secret, and stood united against outside control. Meetings were held at a central spot in Cuncolim called the mand, where leaders planned their defense.
It was the people of AVC who led ‘A People’s War of Independence’ or an armed action, between the period from 1559 to 1583 and a struggle of non-cooperation with the Portuguese and the church. Continuous struggles were launched to stop the Portuguese attempts to break temples. Unfortunately, this struggle took a very ugly turn on15th July 1583.
Fearing another attack on their temples, villagers rose up and killed five Jesuit priests. This fight resulted in the death of five missionaries, Rodolfo Aquaviva, Afonso Pacheco, António Francisco from Coimbra, Pedro Berno and Francisco Aranha. Three lay people also died with them, namely Alphonso da Costa, Francisco Rodriguez and Domingos Aguiar.
The Portuguese responded with a brutal betrayal, calling the local chieftains for peace talks, only to kill them. The monument inaugurated in November 1999 at the site of the revolt in Tolleiband, Cuncolim mentions the name of 16 tribal chieftains: Jay Naik, Bozno Naik, Emu Naik, Vithoba Naik, Jivlo Naik, Guno Naik, Shabu Naik,Calgo Naik, Polputo Naik, Topi Naik and Shanta Shet among others. Their lands were confiscated, and their bodies never properly buried.
These three villages are not only geographically and historically linked together but are also socio-culturally bound together. It is difficult to write about one village without entering into the socio-cultural history of the other sister villages. A feeling of oneness and a spirit of brotherhood is evident among the people of these villages till today, irrespective of their religion.
Fun Facts:
Many locals still use both their ancestral and Portuguese surnames — like Sawant Mendes!
Village wards still go by names like Naik Vaddo, Porobos Vaddo, and Milleia Vaddo — unchanged for centuries.
Forget courts — disputes were settled by the dhazaan, a council of ten elders. The most serious punishment? Getting kicked out of the village!
Wards had confres — community loan funds with no interest or collateral. Portuguese officials hated them.
Catholic weddings still include the Ross and Bicareachea jevonn. During the Mell and Sotrios, Catholics and Hindus celebrate side by side — carrying umbrellas, lighting lamps, throwing kumkum and rose petals, even worshipping the idol of Shanta Durga together. A Hindu priest still collects coconuts from Catholic homes in Cuncolim!
During both World Wars, the church bells in AVC never stopped — families lost sons, but never their cultural roots. Their pride and traditions still echo through these villages today.
As you enter Cuncolim, a sign reads, “Welcome to Cuncolim, the land of freedom fighters.” The spirit of resistance still lives on. On 27th November 1999, this pride was honoured with the erection of the Chieftains’ Memorial at the site of the 1583 Cuncolim massacre. The revolt led by 16 Chieftains is considered one of India’s earliest uprisings against foreign rule. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant was praised for including this historic revolt in Class IX and XI textbooks.
