Libia Lobo Sardesai, centenarian Goan freedom fighter stands in the foreground before a plaque commemorating freedom fighters who fought for the liberation of Goa. Her name features sixth from the bottom at the Aguad Port and Jail Complex.

Goan freedom fighter and advocate Libia Lobo Sardesai visited the Aguad Port and Jail Complex at Sinquerim and was taken on a tour of the former jail by historian Sanjeev Sardesai on September 17, 2024 ….she also visited the ‘Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa – The Land, The Struggle, The People’ where her story is showcased at one of the interactive kiosks.

AFTER recently clocking a century of life packed with resilience and untold bravery, Goan freedom fighter and advocate Libia Lobo Sardesai, recently walked through the gates of the Aguad Port and Jail Complex. She re-visited a chapter of her remarkable past that contributed to Goa’s independence from colonial Portuguese rule, memories of which are preserved at the aforesaid historical site.
She was accompanied by “hands-on historian” Sanjeev Sardesai who took her on a tour of the newly restored Sinquerim-based heritage site. It is home to the Aguad Interactive Museum: Goa, the Land, the Struggle, the People — where the story of her incredible contribution to Goa’s struggle for freedom is showcased in interactive kiosks with gamified consoles.
The museum’s exhibits in The Struggle section showcases how Libia (popularly Libby to family and friends) Lobo-Sardesai, along with her late husband Vaman Sardesai, operated the secret radio station “Voice of Liberty” from the jungles bordering Goa. Through animated descriptions visitors to the museum may now learn how this radio station in the jungles of Londa, Goa-Karnataka border, helped broadcast and amplify messages of to the freedom movement in short. They were powerful snippets which galvanized Goans.
She explored various kiosks at the museum, recalling memories she shared with freedom fighters and identifying key locations linked to Goa’s freedom struggle displayed on the console monitors.
Commenting on the Aguad Interactive Museum she said, “I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that people have preserved Goa’s history for future generations. Visitors to this place will be inspired by the rich history Goa has. Especially for the youth, it’s a reminder that whenever they have the chance to help others, they should never hesitate.”

Historian Sanjeev Sardesai echoed Mrs Lobo-Sardesai’s take on the significance of restoring historical sites like the Aguad Port and Jail Complex. He says, “This (place) is a four-centuries-old heritage site with a history of fortitude, foresight and fearlessness. It is a fascinating example in Goa of an architectural wonder, which has a very profound history of torture, sacrifice and bravery of many satyagrahi Goans and Indians fighting for the release of Goa from dictatorial, colonial clutches. It is a personal honour for me to be in the presence of the Goan centenarian freedom fighter and advocate Libia Lobo Sardesai, as she visited the site.”
Naveen Chopra, CEO of Waterfront Experiences, which operates the complex, expresses his pleasure at Libia Lobo’s visit to the heritage site. “We are privileged to have had the opportunity to welcome Libia Lobo Sardesai, a living embodiment of Goan history, to the Aguad Port and Jail Complex. Her visit brings a profound and personal connection to our site.”
Even at 100 years the enthusiasm and energy that Libia Sardesai exudes is surreal. Such is the charisma of the “OG” RJ of the Portuguese-ruled Goa that even various tourists from Karnataka and Pune who were visiting Aguad at the time of her visit, could not stop themselves from greeting her and getting a few pictures taken with her against the site which recounts the story of one of the most extraordinary chapters of Goan history.

“History was made here. This land is a reminder of all the sacrifices and struggles that have gifted us the sweet independence that we taste today. It evokes a great animation in my heart and I think it has added more years to my life, to put it briefly,” concluded Mrs Lobo Sardesai.
The Aguad Port and Jail Complex is open to the public daily from 10 am to 8 pm. Needless to say it is a must visit destination for locals and tourists alike. It offers an immersive experience into the history of Goa’s freedom struggle and culture, with iconic stories like those of Libia Lobo Sardesai — forever preserved within its walls.

ABOUT THE AGUAD PORT AND JAIL COMPLEX:
Nestled at the foothills of Sinquerim Hill in Candolim, Goa, amidst swaying coconut palms and crashing waves stands the historic Aguad Port & Jail. This 400-year-old heritage complex has been transformed into the country’s newest cultural destination – Aguad. Open to the public since August 2022, Aguad caters to every segment of visitor, including Goa’s own residents.
The complex is easily accessible via a unique waterfront and pier, offering boat transfers to and from Panjim, as well as convenient road access. Aguad invites local community and visitors into a repurposed contemporary hub of museums, arts, recreation and delectable eateries with stunning views of the Arabian Sea and the Mandovi Bay. With an outdoor jetty stage, and a growing programme calendar, Aguad is a year-round destination where history meets modernity, seamlessly weaving together stories of the past and present.