PANAJI: President Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday that Goa’s forests and beaches have influenced him, and praised the state for its unique hospitality.
He also said that given Goa’s youth potential and expansion of internet services, Goa is set to become a development centre for infotech firms.
He was speaking at the Dayanand Bandodkar ground after launching the year-long celebration of Goa’s 60th year of Liberation.
Kovind said that Goa should take pride that its people have adopted a common civil code, which helps in promoting cultural diversities. He also stressed that not just Goans, but people across the country should remember Goa’s Liberation day, and that he was happy to be part of the celebration.
Kovind also laid a wreath at the martyrs’ memorial at Azad Maidan, Panaji, as he paid his respects to freedom fighters. Here, a guard of honour by Goa Police enhanced the solemn but brief ceremony. A heavy police cordon was laid around the site with all vehicular movement stopped and diverted. Goa Police personnel supported by commandos were seen sanitizing the area prior to Kovind’s arrival.
Kovind’s address at the function Panaji was only his second public event since the Covid-19 pandemic began. He said he has addressed most programmes virtually, and that when he entered Goa too it felt “dull” as protocol authorities tried to limit his interactions in the state.
He said that Gandhi (who died over a decade before Liberation) thought that Goa, like any other state, is part of India. The president also remarked that for the Liberation, all organisations and communities came together.
“Goa has some beautiful beaches along its coastline, scenic beauty, and its people are hospitable,” he said.
Kovind said that to strenghten democracy, people have to maintain communal harmony. “This model which has active participation of the people is an example of Goans’ progressive thinking,” he said.
He said that at the time of Liberation, Goa was under-developed, but today, as it enters its 60th year, it has the country’s highest per capita income. “The credit for this goes to the people of Goa, people’s representatives, social workers and the industrial sector,” he said.
He also said that as India moves to strengthen the local economy, Goa’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swayampurna Goa’ initiative is a commendable one.
He also said that the share of the industrial sector in Goa’s GDP is among India’s highest. Despite its small size, Goa has attracted investment from large business enterprises, he added, stating that the state is known for the high quality of its pharmaceuticals, and that the state’s pharma companies played an important role in the fight against Covid.
Kovind also lauded CM Pramod Sawant for taking ahead of the legacy of his predecessor, Manohar Parrikar.
The president arrived at INS Hansa on Air India One, and was flown to the helipad at Goa University in the afternoon. Kovind is staying at Raj Bhavan.