The mortal remains of environment activist Diana Tavares being taken for the last rites in her home village of Rachol.
MARGAO
People of Goa from all walks of life, including social activists, bid adieu to environmental activist Diana Tavares on Saturday and have vowed to take forward the movements planned by her to the logical conclusion.
Her mortal remains were laid to rest at her home village Rachol after an Eucharistic celebration on Saturday evening as hundreds of people paid rich tributes for her work to save Goa, its land and environment.
Environmental activist Abhijit Prabhudesai said that Diana had given her full time to the cause of Goa since she associated herself with the movement around 14 years ago. “Diana first joined the Goenchea Xetkarancho Ekvott movement in the year 2012 and since then has been closely and actively involved in the social movements across the state. She was involved in the work of saving Goa 24x7. She was focussed and participated in the movements with commitment and courage”, he recalled.
He added: “Diana was a fearless activist. When a hotel project was proposed in Curtorim, she was the first person to go and interact with the villagers. She has been the backbone of many a movement because of her fighting quality. All I can say is that the movements planned by Diana will be taken forward to the logical end”.
Activist Swanpesh Sherlekar said Diana’s untimely death is a big loss to Goa. “She was the one who did research and compiled details about project thrust on the people of Goa by the government”, he said.
People from Cansaulim, Sanguem, Loutolim and other places recalled how Diana stood by them during the double tracking agitation, IIT project and the new Borim bridge at Loutolim. President of the Loutolim farmers Association Albert Pinheiro recalled how Diana faced the police personnel when farmers had come out to save their khazan fields. “When the farmers were protesting, the police men outnumber the protestors. Diana stood by the farmers and supported till her last”, Pinheiro said.
Aam Aadmi Party MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, besides a large number of social activists and citizens also paid their tributes.
