1st of October, yesterday was observed as International Day
for “SENIOR CITIZENS”. To mark this day, Government of Goa,
Directorate of Social Welfare, felicitated 14 prominent Senior Citizens of Goa
at Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim, at 10.30 AM, thru the hands of Minister for Social
Welfare Shri Mahadev Narayan Naik. The
renowned Tiatrist and the well known Freedom Fighter Cyriaco Dias was one among the 14. The function was very
elegant and also attended by most of the elegant, reputed and seasoned senior citizens.
Minister M.N.Naik seen felicitating Cyriaco Dias.
Seen standing 5th from left is Cyriaco Dias with other 13.
After completing the
felicitation ceremony, the Chair asked the attendees to air their grievances
and suggestions if they have any, openly for 5 minutes. In response to this, the first person to take
the Mike to express himself was Cyriaco Dias who highlighted in “bold capital
letters” the rudeness and arrogance of Goa Police in handling the senior citizens
while dealing with them. He said he
travelled worldwide but never seen anywhere as rude policemen as in Goa, adding
further by saying that even in Bangladesh Policemen are more civilised.
Listening carefully, the Minister promised to look into this matter by speaking
to the Goa Police Chief.
Cover page of the Brochure.
Inside page of the Brochure.
Cyriaco Dia the
resident from Calangute was a renowned Tiatrist whose name and fame was enough
to attract a huge crowd for the Tiatros a few years back. A qualified man
academically and a highly literate having vast knowledge of different subjects,
an expert in Goan history, CYRIACO Dias was also a
great Freedom Fighter taking active part in the freedom movement of Goa even by
risking his life.
ID Card of Cyriaco Dias indicating his status as Freedom Fighter.
Cyriaco Dias also took active
part in the Opinion Poll movement from Bombay by being an Executive Committee
member of UG, Bombay Branch, headed by Doctor Simon Fernandes. Disguised as a Hindu
and named as Shambu Canconcar a Timber Merchant from Cancona, because of the
need of the hour, he addressed a number of public meetings in Bombay and in Goa
in support of Goa and against merger. He even helped many Bombay Goans to go to
Goa and to vote for Two Leaves. The different photos seen above speak volumes
of his involvement in the Goan affairs.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
