November 13 will be etched in the history of Siolim as a day when
an eminent physician Dr Datta Ramnath Naik, who left for his heavenly abode at
97 years was given a fitting memorial that will not be easily forgotten. It was
a day when the people huddled together for this loving, caring and
compassionate doctor. People from all walks made a beeline to the SFX School
Hall, Siolim, to pay homage to a humble saintly soul whose healing touch was
legendary. To add colour to the occasion was the presence of Siolim’s school
children. They left their mark by way of an exciting exhibition of posters on
the subject, ‘How to Stay Healthy’.
The evening program took off on a
pulsating note of musician Arun Gaonkar and his young troupe of musicians
Saksha, Soumya, Slesh and Aditi, who performed with a serene tone of sacred
slokas as the dignitaries paid a floral tribute to the smiling photograph of Dr
Datta Naik. The delightful duo of Aiden and Nadia had the audience applauding
their rendition of an apt song, ‘10,000 Reasons’. Next on stage was the
renowned composer and singer, Braz Fernandes and his choral group. They sang a
Konkani song based on the life of Dr Naik and the appreciation was simply deafening.
Siolim is reputed for its international
singers and classical musicians. The memorial meet brought to forth a new breed
of poets. Noted poet and teacher, Beena Naik Shankwalkar, Dr Naik’s second
daughter, recited an emotionally packed Konkani poem dedicated to her father.
Lecturer Lynessa Linson’s ode to Dr Naik titled, ‘An Angel of God,’ was recited
with much eloquence and finesse. Everyone in the audience was happily surprised
to see Dr Naik’s granddaughter, the petite and smiling Maithili Shankwalkar,
who has followed in her grandfather’s hallowed footsteps and is presently doing
her Masters in Medicine, come up front and spontaneously speak about Dada as Dr
Naik was fondly called in the village.
Dada’s youngest daughter Pranali and her husband Sidhesh
Gaunekar, both being graduates in Art presented a moving PowerPoint
presentation that took everyone on an exciting journey of Dada’s life that
showed Dada as a little baby, his earlier days as a medical student in Bombay
and his interactions with his patients in Mapusa and Siolim. It was a
fabulously produced feature.
Siolim’s timekeeper, Vishal Chari, is a watch repairer. His love
for Dada was amazing. Every birthday of the good doctor, Vishal took his camera
and gifts to present to Dada for almost two decades. The organisers managed to
convince Vishal and the doctor’s family to exhibit his documentation and
memorabilia at the meet, much to the amusement and appreciation of every one.
Former patients, who have lovingly preserved Dr Naik’s prescriptions, put those
also on display.
The final line up of the program were speeches by eminent
personalities who spoke briefly of their association and affection for Dada.
The first was Pradeep Chodankar of SFX school, who narrated how Dr Naik’s sheer
presence used to heal his patients and charge nothing more than Rs10 or nothing
at all. Siolim is truly blessed with doctors to whom Dada has been a role
model, Dr Sachin Govekar, who was Dada’s physician in his later years and the
much younger Dr Anil Umraskar. Both, Dr Sachin and Dr Anil, paid glowing
tributes to Dada as to how his exemplary life moulded them to follow his
virtues of care, concern and compassion, which were spiced with interesting
anecdotes of their close relationship with Dada.
A doctor’s worth as a father and as a doctor is how he was
looked up by his family members. Dada lived a very hectic and busy life. His
day would start at the break of dawn, with a hurried and improper breakfast or
lunch, knowing that his patients had already been waiting to be healed in the
unearthly hours of the day. In the night, even though he sometimes came past
midnight, Dada always kept track of his four children, Dr Poornima, Dr
Guruprasad, Beena and Pranali, who today in their own right are very
successful. Much credit goes to his wife Sunita, who was Dada’s pillar of
strength and support and comfort.
Two of his children are carrying on his medical legacy. Dr
Guruprasad is today recognised as one of Goa’s top-notch cardiologist. Dada’s
elder daughter, Dr Poornima Hegde, is an eminent doctor in America. She gave a
moving touching tribute to her dad and early that morning flew back to USA.
Octogenarian Dr J A Dias, a legend himself was the chief guest
and showed his love for Dada though, he does not venture beyond Mapusa and his
practice at the Remanso Hospital. He was the first to arrive at the meet and
almost the last to leave. He happily spoke of his association with Dada and how
Dada when he could not treat his patients would unhesitatingly refer them to
him. Earlier in the day, he unveiled a framed caricature of Dada created by
cartoonist Alexyz, who was also privileged to be treated by Dada.
One of the major plus points of the memorial meet was the
presence of Sharmila Vernekar, Siolim’s Sarpanch and Amit Morajkar, the ward’s
panch, who cheerfully took up the issue to name the road adjoining Dada’s house
as Dr Datta Ramnath Naik Road.
Everyone
left the venue that evening with their heads held high, feeling elated that
they were present on such an auspicious occasion and were part of Siolim’s
regal red letter day.
