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Nicolau Menezes

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Indian independence activist and teacher

Nicolau Menezes
BornNicolau Joao Menezes
OccupationTeacher
Known forVoice of Freedom
MovementGoa Liberation Movement
SpouseAlda
RelativesArmando Menezes (brother)

Nicolau Menezes was an Indian independence activist and teacher from Goa. Along with Vaman Sardesai and Libia Lobo, he ran an underground radio station, Voice of Freedom, that transmitted across Portuguese Goa from 1955 to 1961, advocating the cause of the Goan independence movement.

Early life

Nicolau Joao Menezes was from Divar and was the brother of Armando Menezes. Both brothers were teachers. He was married to Alda.

Goa liberation movement

Menezes lived in Bombay in hiding during the 1950s. In June 1954, the Goa Liberation Council was formed in Bombay, with Nicolau Menezes and his brother Armando Menezes as members. They published a fortnightly journal, Goan Tribune, with the intention of highlighting the atrocities of the Portuguese in Goa. This was then distributed by them to political leaders from both India and of western countries.

In June 1957, Menezes was part of a delegation of 11 Goans chosen for consultation by then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Others included his brother Armando Menezes, along with Peter Alvares, Evágrio Jorge, Vishwanath Lawande, Gerald Pereira, Pundalik Gaitonde and Purushottam Kakodkar.

Menezes was a member of the T. B. Cunha Memorial Committee.

Voice of Freedom

Main article: Voice of Freedom (radio station)

In 1954–55, the Portuguese attacked and killed several Satyagrahis who had peacefully entered the Goan borders, demanding the end of colonial rule in Goa. Following this, India closed its borders with Goa, imposing an economic blockade, thus reducing free movement and trade. Nicolau Menezes, along with his wife Alda, came together with Libia Lobo and Vaman Sardesai to form a team. Using two wireless radio sets, which were confiscated the Portuguese, were converted into a radio transmitter. This became the Voice of Freedom radio station, through which they would transmit news and important information to Goans.

They initially lived in the jungles of Amboli Ghat, approx. 100 km (62 mi) from Goa, transmitting an hour-long programme. Living in these conditions was stressful, and Menezes and his wife eventually left. Sardesai and Lobo continued running the station until the liberation of Goa on 19 December 1961.

References

  1. ^ Menezes, Vivek (28 April 2024). "LIBBY DE LIBERDADE". oHeraldo. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  2. ^ Faleiro, Valmiki (24 July 2023). Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. pp. 25, 81, 358, 369. ISBN 978-93-5708-175-7. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  3. ^ Singh Chadha, Pavneet (18 May 2024). "As a mural comes up in Panaji, the muse, a 99-year-old Goan freedom fighter, looks on from her balcony". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  4. "Goan Nationals Allowed To Send Money Home". Times of India. Delhi. 11 June 1957. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  5. Menezes, Vivek (24 December 2022). "Libia Lobo Sardesai's Voice of Freedom". oHeraldo. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  6. Menezes, Vivek (5 May 2023). "Salute to Vaman Sardesai". oHeraldo. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
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