Media Release

Panaji, Jan 9: The decision to merge or not to merge Goa with Maharashtra was decided on January 16, 1967, the ‘Opinion Poll Day’. Goans took a historical decision on that day and saved Goa from merging with Maharashtra. Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) celebrates this historic day every year and remembers Dr Jack de Sequeira, who is known to all Goans as the ‘Father of the Opinion Poll’.

At the Opinion Poll, Goans rejected the merger with Maharashtra and Goa maintained its status as a Union Territory. Later, their mother tongue Konkanni was declared as the official language of the state of Goa and finally Goa was granted statehood. Thus, through this historic event, their ancestors saved ‘Goa’s identity’ or ‘Goychi Osmitai’.

Big Jack Sequeira

Dalgado Konknni Academy celebrates this day of such great significance as 'Goycho Osmitai Dis'. To help Goans celebrate this day with great pomp and joy and to ensure awareness of this historic day to the new generation, Dalgado Konknni Academy is organising a special programme at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao (Black Box) on Wednesday, January 16 at 4 pm.

Advocate Moti Keni, retired judge will be the chief guest and will address the audience on 'Right to Information and its Benefits'. Tomazinho Cardozo, DKA president, will preside over the function. There will be a cultural programme on the occasion.

DKA appeals to all Goemkars to attend the function in large numbers.