the goan I network
MAPUSA
The mortal remains of senior BJP leader, former deputy chief minister and MLA of Mapusa, Francis D’Souza, fondly known as Babush, were on Saturday laid to rest with full State honours at the cemetery in Mapusa.
Union Minister for AYUSH, Shripad Naik, South Goa MP, Naresh Sawaikar, Cabinet ministers, present and former MLAs and senior bureaucrats were among thousands who took part in the funeral.
A contingent of the Goa Police reversed arms as mark of respect to the departed leader. The buglers played the Last Post followed by the ceremonial 21-gun salute.
D’Souza had passed away at the Healthway hospital in Old Goa on Thursday afternoon following a prolonged illness.
Since morning visitors queued up to the former deputy chief minister’s Mapusa residence, as VIPs jostled with commoners to pay their last respects to the leader.
The coffin of the former deputy chief minister mounted on a decorated open vehicle left the residence at around 3.30 pm and the cavalcade made its way to the St Jerome Church, Mapusa.
The Eucharistic celebration was conducted by the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao with Mapusa Parish Priest Fr Dennis Fernandes and Professor at Rachol Seminary Fr Donato Rodrigues as co-celebrants. Besides, over 21 other priests were present for the liturgy.
In his homily Fr Donato extolled the virtues of Francis D’Souza as a simple man who had love for his people.
“D’Souza was a wonderful example of selfless service. He wouldn’t see a person’s religion or community. His life was a blessing to so many people,” Fr Donato said.
Paying tribute to late Francis D’Souza, State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar said loss of Babush was a big setback to the party.
“Babush was a person who took all sections of the people along. I had the privilege to work under him twice as
an MLA. His passing away is a big loss to the BJP,” Tendulkar said.
Aldona MLA Glenn Ticlo in his tribute said Babush had a heart of gold, a heart that always cared for others.
“His house was open to everyone. Francis D’Souza was first a niz Mapshekar and then niz Goenkar. He has left behind some fond memories,” Ticlo said.
Paying tributes to her father, daughter, Sophia D’Souza recalled that her dad was basically a shy guy but ironically went on to become a public figure.
“My dad never came from a political family but went on to become the deputy chief minister of Goa,” she said.
She also recounted that Babush liked to travel and wherever he went he would like to speak in Konkani and project Goa.
Babush’s councilor son, Joshua D’Souza, proposed the vote of thanks.
Soon after the Eucharistic celebration ended, DGP Muktesh Chander and IGP Jaspal Singh placed wreaths on the coffin on behalf of the Goa Police accompanied by music played by the Goa Police band.
The Goa Police then gave the salami salute to the departed leader which was followed by firing of 21 shots in the air.
After that the coffin was taken to the cemetery for burial.
Several cabinet ministers, MLAs, former legislators and prominent persons took part in the funeral service.
The Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Dr Pramod Sawant and Deputy Speaker, Michael D’Souza were present for funeral mass.
Panchayat Minister who is also the Minister for Protocol, Mauvin Godinho, Power Minister, Nilesh Cabral, Urban Development Minister, Milind Naik, Housing Minister, Jayesh Salgaonkar, Leader of Opposition, Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, MLAs, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Alina Saldanha, Glenn Ticlo, former chief minister, Laxmikant Parsekar, former ministers, Avertano Furtado, Dayanand Narvekar, former MLAs, Kiran Kandolkar, Siddharth Kunkolienkar were present.
Senior bureaucrats like Secretary, W Ramana Murthy, Director General of Police, Muktesh Chander, Inspector General of Police, Jaspal Singh and several other civil and senior police officers were also present.
Besides State BJP President, Vinay Tendulkar, General Secretary, Sadanand Tanavde and senior secretary, Satish Dhond several other BJP office-bearers were present.
CM’s Personal Assistant, Rupesh Kamat also attended the funeral mass.
Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Ryan Braganza and councilors, past and present were also present.
Earlier in the morning a host of dignitaries, VIPs and others paid floral tributes to the departed leader at the Mapusa residence.
PWD Minister Sudhin Dhavlikar, Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, Tourism Minister Babu Azgaonkar, WRD Minister Vinod Paliencar, Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane, Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar and several former ministers and MLAs visited the residence on Saturday morning.
Industrialist and chairman of Dempo Group of companies, Srinivas Dempo also paid floral tributes to the departed leader at the Mapusa residence on Saturday morning.
Will continue
to serve people:
Babush’s son
MAPUSA: Former deputy chief minister and Mapusa MLA late Francis D’Souza’s son, Joshua D’Souza, on Saturday dropped enough hints that he was ready to carry on the baton of his illustrious dad. “Along with the blessings of my father, my family and the people of Mapusa, I shall continue to serve the people of Mapusa and fulfill his dreams for his hometown and his fellow Mapshekars,” Joshua D’Souza said, in his vote of thanks at the end of his dad’s funeral service.
