No cremation, body to be handed over to Forensic Dept AT gmc
the goan I network
MAPUSA
Renowned educationist and Padma Shri awardee, Suresh Gundu Amonkar breathed his last on Sunday morning at the Manipal Hospital in Dona Paula where he was undergoing treatment for the last six days.
A former chairman of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education and ex-chairman of Goa Konkani Academy, he was a literary colossus and won accolades for his vast contribution to the literary works in the State. He was 84.
Amonkar had been conferred with the Padma Shri by former President Prathiba Patel in 2009.
A resident of Dattawadi, Mapusa, Suresh Gundu Amonkar was born on March 22, 1935 and for some time worked in East Africa where he taught English.
He soon came down to Goa and took over the administration of the New Goa High School, now renamed as G S Amonkar Vidhyamandir in Mapusa which was established by his father.
He retired from the same school as the principal.
He is survived by three sons.
Amonkar who was a cancer patient continued to contribute to his literary works by way of his writing despite the debilitating illness.
Son Sidharth Amonkar informed The Goan that the body of Suresh Amonkar will be kept in the school hall on December 9 from 10 am to 5 pm for people to pay homage.
He also informed that as per his father’s wish no cremation will take place but his body will be handed over to the forensic department of the Goa Medical College, Bambolim.
An eminent educationist, academician and a teacher, Suresh Amonkar has won several awards in his lifetime for his contribution to literary works.
He was a recipient of the Goa State Teacher’s Award and won the Jyanpithkar Ravindra Kelekar award in 2012.
He has translated several classics into Konkani language including Bhagavad Gita and the Gospel of John.
He has also served as the director of State Literacy Mission and Adult Education, as the Chief Commissioner of Goa State chapter of the Bharat Scouts and Guides and as the president of the Council of Boards of Secondary Education (COBSE).
Amonkar was also actively associated with numerous socio-cultural institutions in Goa.
He was elected as councilor of Mapusa Municipal Council for two terms (1969 to 1980) and also served as its chairman for one year.
