Nicolau Joao Menezes[1] was from Divar and was the brother of Armando Menezes. Both brothers were teachers.[2] He was married to Alda.[1]
Goa liberation movement
Menezes lived in Bombay in hiding during the 1950s.[3] 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.[2]
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.[5][3]
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.[3][6]
References
^ abMenezes, Vivek (28 April 2024). "LIBBY DE LIBERDADE". oHeraldo. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
