TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
VASCO: The mortal remains of former Mormugao MLA Vasantrao (Anna) Joshi were cremated at Vasco crematorium on Sunday at 12 noon.
Political stalwarts cutting across party lines paid homage to the departed soul at his residence at Vasco. Prominent among them were Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Mormugao MLA Milind Naik, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, Provorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, former Vasco MLA Jose Philip D’Souza, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar industrialists Shirinivas Dempo and Narayan Rajaram Bandekar.
Speaking to media, Parrikar said it is a great loss to the State as late Anna Joshi contributed in political and social fields. “He was a walking encyclopaedia,” added Parrikar.
Milind Naik said late Anna Joshi was an inspiration to the citizens of Vasco, while Dhavlikar said Joshi was a strong MGP member and worked towards the upliftment of the party. “He was loyal to MGP till his last breath,” added Dhavlikar.
Jose Philip D’Souza said providing a college to the citizens of Vasco is the biggest contribution of late Joshi. “The MES College founded by late Joshi has benefited youth of Mormugao Taluka,” he said.
Fondly known as Anna to his family, friends and well-wishers, Joshi was an iconic personality in the port town as he was identified in various fields, including education business, automobiles, social service and politics. Joshi was the MLA of Mormugao constituency from 1972 to 1977, after getting elected on the MGP ticket.
Joshi had the distinction of being the first person to get the Ambassador automobile showroom in the Goan market, and he was also involved in Bajaj automobiles and other motor vehicle showrooms at Vasco, which are now being looked after by his sons.
Besides focusing on business, Joshi also gave importance to education and founded ‘MES College of Arts and Commerce’ in 1972 at Vasco city, which was later shifted to Zuari Nagar. Joshi also founded the Margao Hindu Samaj and also played a major role in getting the Janta Vachanalay in Vasco city.
Following the demise of his father, Joshi carried on the tradition of keeping the Shreefal in front of the Lord Damodar Temple, which marked the famous Saptah festival in the port town.
