Team Herald
PONDA: Gokul Krishnanath Khedkar, 56, a resident of Savoi-Verem and a renowned Fugdi performer, tragically passed away on Saturday after suffering a heart attack during a rally commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
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The rally, organised by the Tribal Welfare Department, took place in Borim. Khedkar had performed the traditional Fugdi dance during the event and received much appreciation from the audience. However, while resting after her performance near the Sai Baba Temple in Borim, she collapsed. She was rushed to the Sub-District Hospital in Ponda, where doctors declared her dead.
Ponda Police, led by PSI Chetan Naik, confirmed that the post-mortem report revealed the cause of death as a heart attack.
Khedkar was the sole breadwinner of her family. Her husband has been bedridden following a paralytic attack two years ago, and her son, who has a disability, is currently studying. Her brother, who previously supported the family, also passed away from a heart attack while playing cricket at the Marcel ground 18 months ago.
Local residents have urged the government to provide immediate financial assistance to Khedkar’s husband and son, who have been left without a means of income, after her untimely demise.
