Team Herald
Panjim: Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, who is in the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, has made several assurances on the restoration of Basilica including sending the Mastrillian Casket to Italy for a year and bring it back after restoration.
Tendulkar visited the Basilica on May 2, accompanied by St Andre MLA Francis Silveira.
As per the Rector , Fr Patricio Fernandes, as top priority, Tendulkar assured to implement the anti-termite treatment immediately by getting in touch with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Director-General (DG) in Delhi and moving the Chemical Branch to implement it, otherwise to request PCI, who had done similar treatment at the Basilica in the past, to do it again.
“He has also assured to bring the Union Culture Minister and the ASI DG to Goa, specifically to see the Basilica and the different needs, which must be attended to on top priority because it’s a living monument and thousands of tourists visit the sacred shrine daily and is crowded during the holiday seasons,” says Fr Patricio, while adding that the MP assured to implement the already sanctioned projects: toilets, wooden flooring on the first floor, the ceiling and drinking water facility.
Tendulkar also agreed to negotiate for pavers, a shed, a wall around it with lockers and cooking facility for pilgrims who seek shelter for ten days during the Novena and Feast of St Francis Xavier and a toilet as well as a wastewater treatment plant to utilize water for beautification of the gardens.
“He assured to provide a generator to light up the entire complex, on account of constant interruption in electricity and voltage fluctuation, keeping in mind the annual Novena and Feast as well as the forthcoming Decennial Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier,” he said.
Most importantly, the Rector said, the MP will help in facilitating the sending of the Mastrillian Casket to Italy for a year and bring it back after restoration (Not the relics of St. Francis Xavier which will remain in the Basilica).
Also, to allow specialists to work on specific restoration and conservation work of the Basilica where the ASI is unable to undertake it for reasons they have put forth.
Tendulkar will work towards providing a Chemical Unit for the ASI Goa and bring an experienced Goan engineer to implement the projects, which must be supervised by such an expert.
The Rector said Tendulkar listened, observed and showed willingness to implement what was necessary for the Basilica to move ahead for centuries.
