MARGAO
Relatives, friends and citizens from all walks of life bid adieu to former Sports Minister Francisco Monte Cruz as his mortal remains were laid to rest at the Holy Spirit Church cemetery, Margao, on Thursday.
A stream of visitors, including Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes, besides a galaxy of leaders across the political spectrum paid their tributes to the former two-time Benaulim MLA, who was instrumental in building the Jawaharlal Nehru international stadium at Fatorda in record six-month time.
Former Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane, who paid his last respects to Monte Cruz at his Pajifond residence on Thursday morning, said the former Sports Minister is a Son of Goa, who has contributed for the development of the State.
Monte Cruz was a Sports Minister in the Pratapsing Rane’s Cabinet and was given the task to complete the Fatorda stadium, which he did in a record time of 180 days.
Cabinet Ministers in the Pramod Sawant government, Salcete’s lone Minister Aleixo Sequeira and Sports Minister Govind Gaude also paid tributes to the departed leader. Sequeira said Monte Cruz had taken up the challenge of building the Nehru stadium in a record time. “He was given the task by former CM Pratapsing Rane to build the stadium at Fatorda. It was due to his hard work, the stadium came up and today we are benefitting from it,” Sequeira added.
Paying his tributes, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said Monte Cruz has been his friend over the years, saying he was closely associated with the former Minister before he became the MLA.
“When Monte Cruz was the Sports Minister, he was given the task to make the stadium ready for international tournament. He worked day and night to resolve all issues at Fatorda. He gave a beautiful gift of the Nehru stadium to the people of Goa. His contribution will be long remembered,” Kamat added.
Congress Working Committee member Girish Chodankar, former Fatorda BJP MLA Damu Naik, Congress senior vice-president M K Sheikh, Chinchinim Sarpanch Frank Viegas, ex-sarpanch Valentino Barretto and a stream of visitors paid their respects to the former Minister.
The mortal remains of Monte Cruz were taken from his residence at Pajifond to the Holy Spirit Church for an Eucharistic celebration before the remains were laid to rest at the cemetery.
