CANACONA
Days after Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo praised the achievements of a blind youth from Canacona, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar felicitated Ankur Kankonkar at the Secretariat on Friday.
According to the family sources, Parrikar in the presence of Speaker Pramod Sawant, Opposition Leader Babu Kavlekar and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes felicitated Ankur by presenting him with a bouquet in the Goa Assembly.
It may be recalled that Ankur (26), who is blind since the age of 19, overcame all odds and passed BSc (Computer Science) with an impressive 95% marks in Goa University.
Family sources said Ankur received a call inviting him to the Secretariat a few days ago, as the chief minister wished to meet and felicitate him.
Sources further informed that Calangute MLA and Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo mentioned about Ankur's exceptional performance despite of his visual impairment in the assembly and urged the government to do something to recognise the youth for his achievements.
Parrikar is learnt to have immediately issued directions to make arrangements to felicitate Ankur.
Family has received a call, but expressed their desire to travel only on Friday, as Ankur is now pursuing his further studies M Sc (IT) in Chowgule College in Margao and could make the trip only on Friday.
Besides presenting Ankur with a bouquet, Parrikar also present him with a shawl and cash award of Rs 10,000.
After a brief interaction with the chief minister and other leaders at the felicitation function, Ankur and his father, Shahu, were dropped back home.
Thanking Lobo for raising Ankur's achievements in the Assembly, Isidore said he had already listed the matter in the assembly, but it was already taken up by Lobo. Isidore also praised Ankur during the felicitation function.
Meanwhile, Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao also congratulated Ankur on his achievements in education despite his blindness.
