Goan freedom fighter Libia Lobo Sardesai, who turned 100 in 2024, was awarded the Padma Shri in January 2025 for her pivotal role in the liberation of Goa from Portuguese colonial rule. Recognized as the “voice of Goa’s liberation struggle,” Sardesai’s courageous efforts included running an underground radio station that countered colonial propaganda and kept the spirit of resistance alive during years of strict censorship. Her honor as a Padma Shri recipient stands as a tribute to her extraordinary contribution to Bharat’s freedom movement and her lifelong dedication to social work.
Early Life and Awakening
Libia Lobo Sardesai was born on May 25, 1924, in Portuguese-ruled Goa and grew up in Bombay (now Mumbai). Her engagement with the Goan nationalist movement began during her college years, where she was inspired by the struggle for liberation from Portuguese colonial rule.
Pioneering Role in Goa’s Liberation
At a time when the Portuguese imposed total censorship in Goa, Libia and her future husband, Vaman Sardesai, recognized the need to counter colonial propaganda. From 1955 to 1961, they operated an underground radio station-initially called ‘Q’, later ‘Goenche Sodvonecho Awaz’ (Voice of Freedom of Goa) and ‘Voz de Liberdade’ for Portuguese broadcasts-from the jungles of the Western Ghats.
The station used converted wireless sets to broadcast hour-long programs in Konkani and Portuguese, relaying news, countering misinformation, and sustaining the morale of Goan nationalists. Libia and her colleagues worked under constant threat, living in isolation in the forests, facing dangers from wildlife and the risk of discovery by colonial authorities. She described these years as “unendingly long and arduous… at times seeming worse than normal imprisonment,” with daily struggles against nature and the ever-present risk of capture.
Announcing Goa’s Freedom
Libia’s most iconic moment came on December 19, 1961, when, after the Portuguese surrender, she flew over Panaji in an Bharatiya Air Force plane, broadcasting the message of liberation and dropping leaflets to announce Goa’s freedom after 451 years of colonial rule
Legacy and Recognition
In 2025, at the age of 100, Libia Lobo Sardesai was conferred the Padma Shri for her pivotal role in Goa’s liberation and her lifelong commitment to social work. She remains one of the few women at the forefront of the Goan freedom movement and is celebrated for her courage and resilience.
Libia’s story is now immortalized at the Aguad Port and Jail Complex in Goa, where her contributions are showcased in interactive museum exhibits. During a recent visit, she reflected on the importance of remembering and learning from the sacrifices made for freedom, inspiring youth to help others whenever possible.
Even at 100, Libia Lobo Sardesai continues to inspire with her energy, humility, and unwavering dedication to the ideals of freedom and service. Libia Lobo Sardesai’s life stands as a testament to the power of conviction, the importance of dissent against oppression, and the enduring impact of unsung heroes in shaping the destiny of a nation.
