MAPUSA: Renowned writer, educationist, social worker, journalist and educational administrator Suresh Gundu Amonkar passed away on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 84.

Amonkar had battled cancer, overcoming the illness three times.

Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he was deeply saddened by the passing away of eminent educationist. “It is a great loss for our State and express my heartfelt sympathies to Bab Amonkar’s family members.”

Padma Shri Amonkar was born in Borim village of Ponda on March 22, 1935. Amonkar served as teacher and chairman of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher secondary Education from 1980 to 1988. He was the former director of state literature mission and adult education Government of Goa from 1989 to 1991.

As a social activist, he served as councillor of Mapusa Municipal Council for 10 years and in his tenure, served as president of MMC for the year 1975-1976. He was also the charter president of Rotary Club of Mapusa from 1946 to 1965 and chairman of working committee of All India Konkani Writers conference in 1976.

As contribution in the educational sector, he has remained as member of executive committee of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, managing trustee of Secondary international trust, member of Goa Konkani Academy for three years.

Amonkar was also part of Headmasters association, chief commissioner of Goa Bharat Scout and Guides and member of the education council of Goa Daman and Diu. He has also served as the president of the council of Board of Secondary Education for one term and member of Bal Bhavan for six years.

Amonkar has a writer wrote numerous books and translated various books. Amonkar was awarded Padma Shri in year 2009 by Government of India for his work in literature and education. He was awarded Vishwa Konkani Award for Jnaneshwari by Konkani foundation Mangalore and Vidyavrati award by Shantadurga Shikshan Samittee and Central Sahitya academy award in 1999 for translation of Dhammapade from the original Pali into Konkani. His recent contribution in field of translation was translation of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in Konkani.

His body will be kept in the New Goa High School, Mapusa on Monday from 9 am to 4 pm to pay last homage.

Many condolence messages poured in after Amonkar’s demise. These included the chief minister, BJP president, opposition leader and others.