MARGAO
Three-time Navelim panchayat member, Jose Santarita Coelho, popularly known as Babush, succumbed to Covid at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, on Tuesday evening.
Babush had tested positive for Coronavirus around mid-August and was admitted to a city-based private hospital and was later shifted to the Goa Medical College.
A three-time Navelim panchayat member, Babush was in the fray for the Zilla Panchayat elections on the Congress banner. His wife Esmeralda is also a member of the Navelim VP.
Babush has been a popular figure in the sports field and is known for his associations with football clubs.
Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro said he is deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Jose Santarita Coelho. He said his immense contribution to the public as a member of the Navelim panchayat and in the field of sports as the president of Navelim Sporting Club, vice-president of Navelim Villagers Union and executive member of Goa Football Association will also be remembered.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao has also offered his condolences to the bereaved family, saying that Babush has been his personal friend and was closely associated with him over the years.
Navelim village had witnessed a number of Covid cases over the last two months. A couple of deaths have also been reported from the village.
In fact, Covid had also raised its ugly head in a couple of educational institutions in the village, forcing the managements to shut down the institutions for some days to facilitate the staff to go for tests.
