MARGAO: Ex Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Shantaram Naik passed away Saturday morning following a massive cardiac arrest. His mortal remains will be consigned to flames tomorrow at Culvado crematorium in Culvado.
Born to Laxman and Sita on April 12, 1946 Shantaram Naik was recognised as a “gentleman” politician and was a lawyer and agriculturist before he moved to Delhi as a Rajya Sabha member a position he occupied for six years or two terms. Earlier he was elected to the Lok Sabha from North Goa.
As a Lok Sabha MP he was instrumental in prevailing upon then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to grant Goa statehood and also to include Konkani in the Eighth Schedule. As a Rajya Sabha member he was appointed on various committees including some standing committees.
(Tribute to Shantaram on Pg 5) >>
He has been loyal to the Congress which he joined in 1972 in which year he started is legal practice. He was the Secretary on the All India Congress Committee and had close rapport with all national Congress leaders.
Shantaram Naik has published a book titled “Law of Town and Country Planning in Goa”. Besides, he used to write articles for various publications in Goa.
He was a very good table tennis player and also a vocalist who used to sing at informal gatherings of friends and family. According to his cousin Naresh Naik, Mukesh was Shantaram Naik’s favourite singer.
He is survived by his wife Beena Naik who is the vice president of Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress and son Archit Naik who has just completed his law.
Shantaram reportedly waited to have his dinner with his wife last night even though she was late as she had gone to Panjim for some Mahila Congress work. This morning as he was watching the television he complained of uneasiness and was rushed to a private hospital nearby where he was declared dead on arrival.
His mortal remains will be taken from his residence at Borda at 10:30 am tomorrow and will be consigned to flames at 11 am at Cuncolim.
Congress members led by Girish Chodankar paid their respect to Shantaram Naik. They included Digambar Kamat, Ravi Naik, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Francis Silveira, Luizinho Faleiro, Pratapsingh Rane, Eduardo Faleiro, Shambu Bandekar, Domnic Fernandes, Joaquim Alemao and Aleixo Sequeira.
Ministers Vijai Sardesai, Babu Azgaonkar, Vishwajeet Rane, Rohan Khaunte also paid respects to Shantaram. Amongst others to visit the house and offer condolences to the family were Pramod Sawant, Vinay Tendulkar and Churchill Alemao.
