the goan I network
VASCO
The ashes of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee were immersed in the Zuari River on Friday evening after these were taken to all constituencies in South Goa to enable people to pay their last respects.
The ashes were carried in a specially decorated ferry boat which left from the Cortalim ferry point and proceeded to the middle of Zuari river. Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho then immersed the ashes in the presence of several BJP leaders and a large crowd of supporters.
Among those present at the ceremony included South Goa MP Narendra Savaikar, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, Mormugao MLA Milind Naik, Curchorem MLA Nilesh
Cabral, former minister Rajendra Arlekar, former MLAs Damu Naik and Vijai Pai Khot and former Mormugao Municipal Council chairperson Deepak Naik.
After passing through all constituencies in South Goa on Thursday and Friday, the urn containing the ashes arrived from Vasco to Cortalim in a special tempo accompanied by Godinho, Arlekar, Sawaikar and other leaders.
The urn was then carried to a specially decorated pandal at the Cortalim ferry point by Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, Narendra Savaikar and Mauvin Godinho, where a large crowd of people paid their last respects to the departed former prime minister.
A huge police force was present at the site to prevent any untoward incident, while traffic officials were also present to regulate traffic movement. In addition, the coastal police and lifeguards accompanied the ferry with jetskis in case of any emergency.
After people finished paying their last respects, the urn was carried to the ferry and later immersed by Godinho in the Zuari river.
Later speaking to the media, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar said it was an emotional moment during the immersion of the ashes of Vajpayee, as he was a founder, guide and philosopher of
the BJP.
“He was a great leader and will always be remembered for his great work and contribution to society,” said Sawaikar.
Shripad immerses ashes in Mandovi
PANAJI: Ashes of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee were on Friday evening immersed in the Mandovi river by Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik.
Two urns with the ashes, which arrived in Goa on Wednesday evening, were taken in a kalash yatra across the State covering almost all talukas before the ashes were immersed by Naik.
BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Pramod Sawant, BJP party treasurer Sanjiv Desai, MLA Glenn Ticlo, former chief mininister Laxmikant Parsekar, former MLA Dayanand Mandrekar were among those present at the immersion ceremony.
The vehicle carrying the urn of ashes was brought to the Mandovi Jetty and then taken to the middle of the river in a specially decorated boat before Naik immersed them.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar could not attend the ceremony as he was flown to a Mumbai hospital on Thursday after complaining of fatigue following his return from the US.
‘Vajpayee was great source
of inspiration’
VASCO: Mormugao MLA Milind Naik on Friday said former prime minister
late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a leader of the masses and a great source of inspiration to all.
He was speaking to reporters after paying his respects at the urn containing the ashes of the departed leader which arrived in Mormugao constituency on Friday.
The motorcade carrying the urn arrived in Sada and was received by Mormugao MLA Milind Naik.
Mormugao Municipal Council Vice Chairperson Sashikant Parab, MMC Councillors Sandesh Mesta, Archana Kochrekar, Damodar Kaskar, Murari Bandekar, Leo Rodrigues and BJP Mormugao Block president Sanjay Satardekar were among those on the occasion.
