MARGAO: Former minister and leader of Scheduled Tribes (ST) Luis Alex Cardozo, fondly known as “Mama Cardozo” passed away on Saturday. He was 77.
His relatives informed that the ex-minister breathed his last in the afternoon at his Borda residence.
Cardozo was a down to earth person, who always kept a low profile. He always championed the cause of the common people and made a noteworthy contribution to the development of Fatorda.
Cardozo, who was fondly known as “Mama Cardozo”, represented the Fatorda constituency for a long time. Sitting MLA and TMC’s Benaulim candidate Churchill Alemao, besides several other leaders visited his house and paid homage to him.
Born on April 14, 1945 in Raia, Cardozo took up the profession of civil contractor, and after serving the ST community he stepped into politics, wherein he contested the Margao Municipal Council elections and got elected as a councillor for the first time in 1985.
He was elected as member of the Goa Legislative Assembly in 1989 and later in 1994.
He served as Minister for the Public Works Department, Social Welfare, Forest and Panchayat Raj, besides Printing and Stationery. He was the chairman of Government Assurances Committee (1991-92), served on the panel of Presiding Members (1992-93), and was the member of Goa Legislative Assembly (1994-1999), a minister from February 1995 to July 1998 and again from December 1998 to February 1999.
He was elected once again to the Goa Legislative Assembly in June 1999 and served as chairman of Industrial Development
Corporation from September 1999 to November 24, 1999.
His contribution to education was immense, as he took the lead to start secondary school and primary school at Housing Board, Gogol, Margao.
Mama Cardozo was also chairman of Salcete Finance Credit Co-operative Society, Fatorda, besides he also served as chairman of Salcete Taluka House Mortgage Co-operative Society, Salcete Schedule Tribes’ Association, State Labour Contract Co-operative Limited, and was also was the founder member of Model Bhatikar High School.
He was also known as one of the strong Congressmen and served the party for several decades. Mama Cardozo was a vice-president of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, besides president of Fatorda Congress Block Committee, and president of South Goa District Congress Committee.
He is survived by his children Anita, Viviana, Alvina and Florence Tito Cardozo (former councillor of MMC).
Meanwhile, following Cardozo’s death, tributes poured in as several leaders expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
A large number of people visited his family at his residence at Borda to pay their last respects.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, who visited Cardozo’s house, recalled the great contributions the former MLA and minister.
“He was a very good person and more importantly a simple person. I am very sad about this and even though I was busy I had to come and meet his family because of who he was and what he meant to the State and how he helped his fellow Goans. He was also a great ST leader and I had inducted him into my Cabinet as a minister when I was the Chief Minister and we have been friends always. God will look after him now I am sure,” said Alemao.
“I am deeply saddened by the demise of Luis Alex Cardoso (Mama), former minister and ex-MLA of Fatorda. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, he made a noteworthy contribution to development of Fatorda and Goa. He was always humble to his people. Today’s youth can surely learn a lot from his principles. His dedication for the people cannot be forgotten. My condolences to his family. Om Shanti,” said Damu Naik, Fatorda’s former MLA.
“Saddened by the demise of former minister and Fatorda MLA Luis Alex Cardozo alias ‘Mama Cardozo’. My deepest condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace,” said Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.
“Goodbye my dear friend ‘Maam’. I and my family will miss you forever. Deeply pained at the passing away of friend Luis Alex Cardozo. He will be remembered for his immense contribution to the upliftment of ST community. My condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” said Margao MLA and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.
“Saddened to hear the demise of former minister Luis Alex Cardozo. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends,” said Deputy Chief Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar.
“Saddened to hear the demise of former minister Luis Alex Cardozo (Mama Cardozo). My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends,” said Union Tourism Minister of State Shripad Naik.
“Saddened by the demise of three-time member of the Goa Legislative Assembly, former minister Luis Alex Cardozo alias ‘Mama’ Cardozo. He always championed the cause of the common people. My condolences to his family. May the departed soul rest in peace,” said NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar.
“Deeply saddened by the passing away of my colleague and dear friend Luis Alex Cardozo (Mama Cardozo), former minister and ex-MLA of Fatorda,” said former minister Aleixo Sequeira.
“Extremely saddened to hear about the untimely passing away of ex-MLA of Fatorda, Luis Alex (Mama) Cardozo. My sincere condolences to his family and dear ones. We pray for his family to have strength in these difficult times,” said former minister Rohan Khaunte.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of former minister and ex-MLA of Fatorda, Luis Alex (Mama) Cardozo. My sincere condolences to his family and dear ones,” said former minister Michael Lobo.
