SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Gajanan Raikar, a freedom fighter, noted writer and former MLA expired on Thursday, here. He was 86.
Raikar was the legislator of the first Goa Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly of liberated Goa in 1963. He was elected from Ponda Constituency on erstwhile Praja Socialist Party as an Independent MLA in 1963.
Raikar’s contribution towards Marathi literature was immense, besides being a great freedom fighter. He had started his teaching profession as a Hindi teacher in a high school at Margao. He was one of the founder members of the T B Cunha High School, Margao.
Raikar was arrested during liberation movement in 1954 and imprisoned. However, he escaped from Aguada jail in 1955. He was tried in absentia by the TMT and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. He was awarded Tamrapatra by the Government of India.
Raikar has several books to his credit as he was one of the noted writers of Goa. He was the editor and publisher of “Sangam”, a Marathi monthly, especially dedicated to give a platform for the budding writers.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Ministers, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and other eminent personalities have expressed their shock over Raikar’s death.
Sawant said that he was saddened by the demise of Goa's renowned freedom fighter, an avid writer and former MLA of Ponda, Gajanan Raikar. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of sorrow. Om Shanti.
Union Minister of State for Tourism and Shipping Shripad Naik said, “Anguished by the demise of former MLA, freedom fighter, teacher, writer and a poet Gajanan Raikar. Heartfelt condolences to his family and well wishers. Om Shanti.”
Kamat in his condolence message recalled Raikar’s proactive participation in the freedom struggle of Goa and his immense contribution in the field of literature, which will inspire the generations to come.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State Convenor Rahul Mhambre said, “Saddened to learn about the ultimate demise of the former MLA of first Legislative Assembly of Goa, Gajanan Raikar ji. He was a freedom fighter, teacher, distinguished personality, writer and a poet.”
