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.
