At a civic reception by the state government at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday evening, President Draupadi Murmu hailed Goa’s cosmopolitan culture and said that it is a matter of pride that the people of Goa have adopted the Uniform Civil Code and said that the code is in line with the constitution.

Murmu said, “It is a matter of pride for Goa that people here have adopted the Uniform Civil Code. The common civil code, which provides equal rights to women and men of all communities living in Goa, is an example of the cosmopolitan culture here. This Code is in line with the instructions of our Constitution and is a good example for the entire country.”

The President also praised Goa for performing well on the parameters of Sustainable Development Goals and also for being among the top states in areas of development. “The cosmopolitan culture of Goa has a tradition of gender equality,” she said. “It is heartening to know that the strength of girl students in higher educational institutions of Goa is more than 60 percent. There is (however) a need to increase participation of women in Goa’s workforce.”

President Draupadi Murmu also emphasised the need to protect Goa’s rich forest cover and that efforts should be made that people from tribal communities and other forest-dwellers are made partners in development while preserving their traditions. She also said that apart from being a tourist destination, Goa is also an important centre for education, trade and commerce, industry, technology, and naval defence.

Paying tribute to those who laid down their lives during the country’s freedom struggle, Murmu said, “A few days ago, on August 15, we celebrated Independence Day. In this context, it is natural to recall that on June 18, all residents of Goa celebrate ‘Kranti Divas’ . At a public meeting in Goa on June 18, 1946, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia had given the call for a revolution against the oppressive regime in Goa at the time. Finally, on December 19, 1961, foreign rule came to an end in Goa. On that day, the dream of the freedom fighters of Goa and the entire country was fulfilled.”

The President had arrived in Goa on Tuesday for a three-day visit and paid tribute at Martyrs’ Memorial at Azad Maidan in Panaji. She also handed over land title document under the Forest Rights Act to some beneficiaries on the occasion.

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