Cuncolim (Kunkalli’ or Kumkum-halli)

Cuncolim is a land of freedom fighters and martyrs. Once an industrious village rich with green paddy fields, laterite quarrying and fishing, Cuncolim got its name ‘Kunkalli’ (Kumkum-halli) as it was a village (halli) where kumkum (vermilion) was produced in ancient times. With a chequered political history, Cuncolim is famous for its patriotism, courage and heroism. “It has played a pivotal role during the Maratha reign enhancing its prestige and importance,” says Devendra Dessai, who is serving his eighth year as the chairperson of the Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC). The son of late Dattaprasad Dessai, an underground freedom fighter, wanted dead or alive by the Portuguese, Devendra’s father served as the MLA of Quepem constituency before passing away at the age of 72 in 2002. And in a bid to keep Cuncolim’s legacy alive, Devendra introduced a unique programme in the village in association with MARG (Movement for Amity with Roads in Goa) which conducted a three day series of exhibitions, lectures and movies on Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings – Mahatma Gandhi in our Goa – that ends on February 1. “Beginning with Cuncolim and its 5000-odd youth, MARG will spread Gandhi-ness to other parts of Goa as well,” says Gurunath Kelekar, the convenor of MARG.