Team Herald
MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Mayem MLA Pravin Zantye, Joshua D’Souza former MLAs Aleixo Sequeira, Dayanand Narvekar, Environmentalist Claude Alvares, activists Arvind Bhatikar, Subhash Velingkar, Writer Dilip Borkar, Councillors of Mapusa Municipal Council, Ex Councillors, residents of Mapusa and people from across the State paid homage to late Suresh Gundu Amonkar at New Goa High School, Mapusa on Monday, where his body was kept for the people to pay their last respects. There was also a musical tribute and the students of the school saluted Amonkar when his body was moved out of the school. At around 4 pm, his body was handed over to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, (GMC) Bambolim as per Amonkar’s last wish. Padma Shri Amonkar who was hailed as a writer, educationist, social worker etc, passed away on Sunday, after a prolonged illness. He was 84.
“New Goa High School was opened by him during the Portuguese time and his service to the society in the field of education is unforgettable. He is an inspiration to the youth. His contributions in the field of translation, literature and Konkani were huge. The decision to give a State award to Amonkar will be taken after discussing the matter with the Home Ministry. We have to find out whether any Padma Shri awardee has received a State award. Instructions have been given and a status on this will be reviewed soon,” said CM Pramod Sawant.
“We have lost somebody who has immense importance. Amonkar had his own voice, he was a scholar, had the ability to relate to all communities and most importantly he was completely fearless as an intellectual. Every person in Goa should be like Amonkar. The depth of his vision, his innovation in society, involvement in scholarly research and his pro education and environment attitude made him the ideal personality for the State of Goa,” said Advocate Claude Alvares, while praising Amonkar’s work in the field of translation.
“I always looked toward Amonkar as a positive personality. He overcame cancer three times and heart attack with bypass surgery two times but still he looked forward towards his life in a positive way and continued working. He was a person with discipline. He has inspired and given a message to people on how to have the strength to live a happy life,” said writer Dilip Borkar.
