Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, May 29: Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai, accompanied by his wife Rita Pillai, continued his Khushal Kalyan Yatra with a spiritual and cultural journey through South Goa on Wednesday. The third phase of the yatra focused on visits to places of worship, historical landmarks, and local community centers.

The day began with a visit to the Shree Shantadurga Ballikarin Temple in Balli, where the Governor was received by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, and members of the temple committee. As a gesture of support, he presented a ?50,000 cheque to the temple’s Devasthan Samiti.

His next stop was the Shri Nirankar Saunsthan Devalaya in Mashem, welcomed by Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar and Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Nisha Chari. He then paid tribute at the Freedom Fighters’ Memorial, learning about its history from journalist Sandesh Prabhudessai, and met the descendants of prominent freedom fighters, including Anthony D’Souza, Goa’s first Industries Minister.

At Mano Sobha Kalaghar, also in Mashem, the Governor explored initiatives supporting local arts. He was also briefed about the Vandenui river in Loliem by Subhash Mahale, Chairman of the Poinguinim Biodiversity Committee.

The Governor placed a wreath at the Hutatma Smarak in Poinguinim and visited the 800-year-old Shree Betal Devalaya, before pausing for lunch at the Hathipal Forest Rest House.

Later, he visited the Zamatul Muslimeen Sunni Jamia Masjid in Demani-Cuncolim, where he was welcomed by community leaders including Alemao and Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Lendary Mascarenhas. The journey concluded at the Our Lady of Health Church in Cuncolim, where the Governor and his wife offered prayers.

Through this yatra, the Governor aims to promote peace, unity, and communal harmony, offering prayers for the well-being of Goa and the nation.