Rosarinho Braganza’s is an untold story of a hero. He was born in the village of Batim, Goa in 1928. Rosarinho was a powerful Indian Christian Freedom Fighter who forsook all his property and comforts of being in his own for the love of his Nation.
Rosarinho Braganza initially joined the seminary but the voice of motherland kept calling him. He was 17 years old when he joined the British Navy in Karachi. Appalled by the racial discrimination his conscience didn’t let him continue there. He moved to Bombay there inspired by the National Movement he took part in various Satyagrahas. During the Portuguese rule in Goa he worked in the agricultural department. He wanted to do a lot more for his country so he joined the Azad Gomantak Dal in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. He was an informer and an underground fighter. His involvement in the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was of critical importance due to which a look out notice was issued for him and was declared as an absconder by the Portuguese government in Goa. That couldn’t by any means stop him. He still managed to secretly reach Goa and inspire others. Every time he came to his village he hoisted the Indian flag in the Batim cemetry. He was popularly known as Jai Hind in the village of Batim. In 1954 Dadra and Nagar Haveli was liberated. He could only return back to Goa after Goa was liberated1962. He did not avail of any government freedom fighters incentives saying “What I did is for my motherland”
He was a man of great values which he imparted to his children. While he was in Dadra and Nagar Haveli his family was with him witnessing his love for the nation. “We couldn’t spend our childhood in our own village, never knew our relatives nor our native but we are proud of our father he knew that the freedom of our nation is the most important thing” these were the words that came from a proud daughter.
Source: Audrey Menezes, daughter of Mr. Rosarinho Braganza.
Written by: Fionna Samji
