On December 5,2022, Goa government , approved the renaming of schools in the memory of the freedom fighters, who attained the martyrdom for the cause of Goa's liberation from the yoke of the Portuguese rule.As per the memorandum No. DE/102/ADM.l/B/ Re- naming GHS-GHSS/ 2022/659, Government High school from Morle colony of Sattari,has been named after the martyr Soma Rama Malik.
Cudne, a village known for the rich and varied assets of archaeological and cultural heritage, is best remembered in the history of Goa's liberation struggle for the final sacrifice made by Soma Rama Malik. Born and brought up at Gaonkarwada in the family of Rama Malik,a farmer.Among the three sons ,elder Guno and second son Bapso preferred to help the father Rama in agricultural work, however the youngest son Soma, who studied just four standards education in the Marathi,was influenced by the nationalist ideas from the youthhood.
Those were the days, when the struggle for the liberation had been taking roots in nook and corner of the land on account of the clarion call given by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, the socialist leader,who awaken the Goans from the long slumber of slavery of the Portuguese oppressive rule on June 18,1946.
He came in contacts with Goa Liberation Army, the organisation believing in launching the arm struggle to free Goa from the Portuguese undemocratic regime .GLA decided to paralyse the Portuguese administration, believing in the reign of terror by launching the violent activities.Augustus Alvares , taught the members of GLA how to make dynamite and use it for paralysing roadways as well as waterways.to hamper economic activities of the Portuguese government.He was involved in various initiatives of GLA.He.along with other members dynamited barges carrying mineral ore at Sarmanas in Bicholim in November 1956.He was involved in blasting the Petrol pump in Sankhali,on December 20,1956. He took part in attacking the iron ore mine that was operational in Bicholim, by destroying the compressor on January 19,1957.During those days, the Chowgule mine of Shirgao was the largest in the Asia and GLA,. wanted to attack it and accordingly,he participated on February 19,1957 and given big blow to the Portuguese economy. The Portuguese administration became more cruel towards the freedom fighters involved in underground armed movements and the military vehicles were undertaking search of these activists.GLA, planned to plant an explosive land mine on Assanora-Dodamarg road to blow up the military vehicles.Amrut Babuso Chodankar , Raghunath P Shirodkar along with Soma were assigned the task, however, while the land mine, before they could place in the hole dug,.had exploded accidentally, there by killing, all of them on the spot on November 13,1957.
Soma from his childhood was hardworking and dedicated to the cause and never enjoyed the peace mind with out fulfilling the assigned task.He breathed his last in the land mine explosion.Instead of getting married and living happy life,he had chosen pains and sufferings to liberate Goa.
He learnt rigorous military training imparted to him by his fellow companions like Shivaji Desai, Madhavrao Rane, Jaisinghrao V. Rane... and took part daringly in various expeditions of GLA .
On August 15,2022, his nephew Kashinath Guno Malik got the honour to hoist the tricolour flag at Sateri-temple sacred tank of Cudne, under Rejuvenation Development of Natural Tanks: Amrit Sarovar mission launched by Water Resources Department of Goa.Kashinath, who completed 75 years, still remember his brave uncle, though he was of nine years of age.He used to visit the house rarely only for few hours in the darkness night . However, when he was badly injured, during an expedition,for the medical treatment,he took refuge at home in the concealed manner. When he died in the land mine explosion,his dead body was not brought to Cudne for performing the last rites.
Today after liberation government could not install his statue as no photo of him was available hence, no memorial is there in Cudne.
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