Freedom fighter Dr Eclito passes away
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JULY 31
Noted freedom fighter Dr Eclito Manuel Francisco Ramiro D’Souza passed away at his residence at Banda-Assolna on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 89.
After passing his medical degree at the Bombay University, Dr. Eclito went to Kenya where he served for the Kenya city Commission, heading its health department. In Kenya he was the Vice President of east African Goan League, which was spearheading for Goa’s Freedom along with other British Colonies like Tanzanai, Uganda etc. During his regular visits in India, he was involved in activities concerning Goa’s Liberation.
He was the part of the delegation which met Indian Home Minister Pandit Pant in New Delhi in 1960 pressing for Indian action for Goa’s Liberation along with Vishwanath Lawande, Aruna Asaf Ali, Lambert Mascarenhas, Fr. Mascarenhas , George Vaz, Irene Heredia, Bertha Braganza etc.
Dr Eclito maintained close contact with Indian leaders and diplomats. The First Governor General of Goa General K.P. Candth, was his personal friend, who even spent some days at his residence after his retirement. Some of his contemporaries called him India’s unofficial diplomat in East Africa due to his constant political affairs concerning Goa’s Liberation where he wanted Indian Military Help to liberate Goa.
A nationalist and patriot, Dr D’Souza protested against the confiscation of Cuncolim . He published his paper “Confiscation of Cuncolim” a historical survey in January 1961. He was always vocal for maintaining Indian culture and traditions.