Juliao Menezes

Menezes died as a bachelor at his residence in Mumbai on 2 July 1980, aged 70.

Menezes established the "Gomantak Praja Mandal" for widespread of national passion for Goans. He was also a member of the provisional committee of the National Congress in Goa and was present at its session in 1948. He played an active part, during its formation. Menezes along with socialist leader, Ram Manohar Lohia planned the civil disobedience movement against Salazar's regime in Goa.

It was during the 1940s, Goa's Independence had procured momentum which was inspired by India's independence movement against the British India government. On June 18, 1946, Menezes along with Lohia hosted a pro-independence convention at Panjim. Following this meeting, the duo were arrested by the Portuguese government.

In 1939, Menezes founded "Gomantak Praja Mandal" in Bombay with an aim to spread national passion amongst the Goans. Three years later in 1942, Menezes launched the bilingual, English-Konkani weekly "Gomantak". Some of Menezes's notable publications include, "Beitrag zur chirurgischen Behandlung des Nierensteinleidens" (1938),"Goa's Freedom Struggle" (1947), "Goa: What of the Future" and "Contra Roma E Além de Benares" (1948).

In 1938, Menezes started spreading nationalistic ardour with the support of Juvenile Club de Assolna. It was during this time, a library was set-up for the freedom fighters of the Assolna, Velim and Cuncolim (AVC) villages. However, the Portuguese raided the club and library premises, but were unable to arrest Menezes. They later auctioned the library and club assets through the revenue department. Taking the event in consideration, the Portuguese government forced upon a ban on gatherings of more than five people in the Assolna market for three months.

The first event, the duo created history was in 1930 during the session of the League of Nations, wherein the two were responsible for throwing bundles of leaflets from the visitors gallery by denouncing the Maharaja of Bikaner, an Indian representative who was sent by the British.

Juliao Menezes (7 August 1909 – 2 July 1980), popularly known as Dr. Juliao Menezes was an Indian freedom fighter, medical practitioner, author and nationalist leader from Goa. He was one of the salient individuals in liberating Goa from the Portuguese rule and was active in the Goa liberation movement.