In a proud moment for the people of Goa, Smt. Libia Lobo Sardesai, a veteran freedom fighter and social reformer, has been conferred the Padma Shri 2025 in the category of Social Work. At the age of 100, she stands as one of the oldest recipients of this prestigious civilian honour.
Smt. Libia Lobo Sardesai played a pivotal role in the Goa Liberation Movement during Portuguese rule. Along with her husband Vaman Sardesai, she ran a clandestine radio station—“Voz da Liberdade” (Voice of Freedom)—from the forests of the Western Ghats. The station broadcast anti-colonial messages in Portuguese and Konkani between 1955 and 1961.
On December 19, 1961, the day Goa was liberated, she delivered a historic message from an Indian Air Force plane, announcing the end of Portuguese rule—a moment etched in Goa’s collective memory.
Following independence, Libia Lobo Sardesai became Goa’s first Director of Tourism, helping lay the foundation for the region’s tourism industry. She also practiced law, advocated for women’s rights, and helped establish a women’s cooperative bank, empowering countless women in Goa.
Smt. Sardesai was honoured with the Padma Shri by the President of India at a special felicitation event, with dignitaries praising her lifelong service to society.
“I am as happy as I was on the day of Goa’s liberation,” said Smt. Sardesai. “This honour is not mine alone, but for every Goan who fought for freedom.”
Governor of Goa, Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, personally visited her residence in Panaji to congratulate her and called her a “symbol of courage and sacrifice.”
- Historic Figure: Among the last living voices of Goa’s freedom movement.
- Women’s Pioneer: Blazed a trail in post-independence administration and activism.
- True Patriot: Lived a life of dedication to truth, justice, and the people of Goa.
Smt. Libia Lobo Sardesai’s Padma Shri is a tribute not only to her bravery and vision but to the countless unsung heroes who shaped India’s freedom and social development. Her story continues to inspire generations across the nation.
