Ravindrabab cremated
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARCEL, AUG 28
A huge number of people from different walks of life bade a tearful farewell to veteran Konkani writer Ravindra Kelekar (85), as his mortal remains were cremated with full honours near his residence at Priol on Saturday.
Those who visited the residence to offer condolences to the bereaved family included numerous politicians, writers, freedom fighters, activists and academicians.
They included Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, ministers Jose Philip D’Souza, Joaquim Alemao, Churchill Alemao and Aleixo Sequeira, MLA’s Deepak Dhavlikar, Babu Kavlekar, Victoria Fernandes, Laxmikant Parsekar, Damu Naik and Mahadev Naik, former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar, former ministers Nirmala Sawant and Matanhy Saldanha, Goa University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dilip Deobagkar and Registrar Prof Sangodkar, freedom fighters, social activists and writers.
There was a stream of people who visited the otherwise quiet village of Priol to catch a final glimpse of the legendary writer, Padmabhushan and Jnanpith awardee Ravindra Kelekar, who passed away on Friday.
The State government had already declared a public holiday and State mourning for half day on Friday and for the whole day of Saturday, as a mark of respect to the departed writer.
Family members conducted a brief pray ceremony to invoke blessings on the departed soul, before the Goa Police accorded a guard of honour to late Kelekar outside his residence. Several rounds were fired in the air in honour of the departed doyen of the Konkani language.
At around 12.30 pm, the body was taken in a procession to be cremated in his property located about a kilometre’s distance from his residence at Priol.
A large number of people, including Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Subhash Shirodkar, placed wooden sticks on the pyre.
Ravindra’s son, Girish, performed the rituals at the site and later lit the pyre.
The otherwise quiet village of Priol was bustling with visitors since morning, as almost everyone was headed to the Kelekar residence.
Traffic police were placed at strategic locations to avoid traffic congestion, while special parking arrangements were also made near the Kelekar house. A temporary road leading to the crematorium was also built for the purpose.
Speaking during his condolence visit, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said Kelekar had devoted his life for literature and Goa’s freedom struggle.
“We know him as the Bhismacharya of literature. After Goa was liberated, Ravindrabab through his literature worked tirelessly to spread awareness on how Goa can be made an ideal state. His contribution to Goa is invaluable,” said Kamat.
Added St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes: “I don’t have words to express how great Ravindrabab was. He was not only a Konkani litterateur, but a crusader of justice. He was my political guru and was our family friend. His fond memories will remain forever.”
