MAPUSA: Former Keri-Tiracol sarpanch Francis Rodrigues, who was instrumental in the movement against the golf course project passed away on Sunday night.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 3.30 pm.
Francis was active in voicing his opinion against illegalities in the village and will be fondly missed. He served as a Keri-Tiracol Sarpanch for a year and as a panch for three terms.
Those who knew him and worked with him highlighted the qualities he possessed and his contribution to the village.
An inspiration to many, the generations to come, will remember him for approaching the court and stopping the hotel project and golf course, which was threatening the whole of Tiracol. The mouth of the Tiracol River was being dredged to aid barges for coal transportation to the neighboring village and was brought to a halt following a complaint to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The founder of Goa Foundation, Claude Alvares praised Francis for his contribution towards Tiracol.
“Without him and his work over the last 15 years the village of Tiracol would have ceased to exist. The efforts put in by him will not see any leading hotel come up with any project or build anything there. He knew every detail about the village including the tenants there,” Claude informed.
Activist, Sudeep Dalvi said Francis was known for his simplicity and for the struggle of Tiracol.
