In cherished loving memories of our dear departed in yesteryears, especially dating back to the pre-Liberation Portuguese era, the graves in the cemetery were adorned within particular angels in variously crafted artistic designs. Each angel was depicting ideas, the tribute to each of the surviving members of the family. The marble statue makers, the last and final, and in the process lasting version of what would be constituted as a solemn small memorial that was our thanksgiving for the departed souls. This was a memory of what he or she meant to us in their lifetime and a perpetual memorial for the gift of the particular dear departed. Most of these angels and statues in marble are priceless since they are rare and unique, probably not made anymore and are thus of heritage value and artistic objects of reverence.
On the left-hand side of the cemetery of the St Agnes Church, St Inez, exquisitely crafted angels, all depicting a certain biblical and religious aspect are seen in what could be restored with utmost care and preserved as heritage so as to become a testament of those alive to our dear departed souls.
It would be wise and sagacious for us to maintain these various angels in a fairly good state that they are in, which would remain a gleaming tribute for those who before their passing away have been contributing to a great extent in their lifetime to the living progeny. Access pathways can be provided by clearing the shrubs on the ground so as to allow relatives and visitors to pay respects at the graves. The surface of these marble angels, statues can be treated with a light solution so as to improve the visual quality by consulting and utilising the services of marble craftsmen and experts.
The religious authorities, the concerned families and the concerned civic authority (Corporation of the City of Panaji) can in tandem collaborate so as to make this left section of the St Agnes Church cemetery a sort of living memorial with diligent and painstaking work of restoration of these graves. Thus we would be paying our glowing and rich tributes to our dear departed. Parishioners with an artistic and aesthetic inclination would be solicited to contribute towards this cemetery’s restoration. Alternately, corporate houses could also be approached in order to obtain sponsorship under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for its upkeep. It would be a fitting tribute to our dear ones who have departed from this world.
