Margao: Former chief minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat on Friday said that if every citizen acknowledges their duty and contributes to the advancement of the state and the country, then the nation will soon attain self-sufficiency and self-reliance.
He was addressing the 79th Independence Day celebration at the South Goa Collectorate after unfurling the national flag. He received the guard of honour from the police contingent and inspected the police and Home Guard parade.
“I implore every citizen to unite tirelessly to fulfil the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, thereby elevating the state and the nation to greater heights of development,” he said, paying homage to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s cause.
He said that Sawant is emulating the Prime Minister’s vision and working diligently for the state’s overall progress.
Highlighting various initiatives of the central and state governments, Kamat said the Prime Minister has made a lasting global impact with his leadership.
“By recognising the needs of the common populace and marginalised communities, the PM has inaugurated several schemes and concessions, benefiting crores of Indians. Under the Garib Kalyan Yojana, free food grains have been dispensed to nearly 80 crore Indians, marking India as the first nation to extend such benefits to such a vast number of individuals,” Kamat said during his 19-minute address.
Kamat said 55 crore citizens from 12 crore families are availing the Ayushman Bharat health scheme. He also spoke of the Goa government’s flagship initiatives, including the Swayampurna Goa movement, and schemes such as Mukhyamantri Rozgar Yojana, Mhaje Ghar Yojana, Grih Aadhaar, Ladli Laxmi, Kisan Credit Card, Atal Aasra Yojana, and the Health Scheme, which he said have benefited Goans.
The function was attended by Curtorim legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Navelim BJP MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, Collector Egna Cleetus, SP South Tikam Singh Verma, and district administrative officials. Students from Our Lady of Rosary High School, Fatorda; Lt Shri Vinayak Shenvi High School, Rawanfond; and Mae Dos Pobres High School, Nuvem, presented patriotic songs.
