Dr Juliao Menezes' house and the spark of Goa’s freedom

Samrudhdi Kerkar

A REVOLUTIONARY FROM ASSOLNA

Born in Assolna, South Goa, on August 7, 1909, Dr Juliao Menezes was a nationalist and visionary. He earned his medical degree in Berlin, in Germany, where he was introduced to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes | Assolna | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

A BOND FORGED ABROAD

In Germany, Dr Menezes formed a deep friendship with socialist leader, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, united by the dream of Indian freedom and civil liberty.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes house | Dr Ram Manohar Lohia | Assolna | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

HISTORIC INVITATION

It was Dr Menezes who invited Dr Lohia to Goa in 1946. The invitation changed history! On June 10, 1946, Dr Lohia arrived at the Menezes mansion in Assolna.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes | Dr Ram Manohar Lohia | Menezes House | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

MEETING PLACE OF MINDS

The Menezes mansion, built in 1922, became a gathering place for Goan leaders. There, plans for Goa’s civil disobedience movement began to take shape.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes house | Assolna | Menezes mansion | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

BIRTHPLACE OF A REVOLUTION

It was within these walls that Dr Lohia’s strategy for civil liberty and resistance took form, turning Assolna into a beacon of Goa’s revolution.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes | Menezes mansion | Assolna | antique chair | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

FROM HOME TO HISTORY

With Dr Lohia’s arrival, the Menezes mansion transformed into a historic landmark, forever etched in Goa’s freedom narrative.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes | Menezes mansion | Assolna | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

UNITED FOR FREEDOM

Along with Dr Juliao, his brother Roque, too, participated in Goa' s liberation struggle.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes | Menezes mansion | Assolna | antique furniture | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

POWER OF THE PRESS

To spread nationalist ideals, Dr Lohia began editing the bilingual weekly, Gomantak, from Mumbai giving voice to Goans through the written word.

Goa | Goa liberation | Dr Juliao Menezes | Dr Ram Manohar Lohia | Menezes mansion | Assolna | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

ASSOLNA, THE HEART OF REVOLUTION DAY

Nestled on the banks of the Sal River, the peaceful village of Assolna became the launchpad for what would forever be remembered as Goa Revolution Day.

South Goa | Assolna | village | River Sal | Photo: Samrudhdi Kerkar

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