the goan I network
VASCO
Shock and grief engulfed the MES College at Zuarinagar after the college principal Dr Rekha Gaonkar (60) of Margao passed away at a private hospital in Margao on Tuesday morning while recuperating from a road mishap.
According to a highly placed source at the MES management, Dr Gaonkar had recently been appointed as principal of the MES College in November 2019 and was due to retire next year.
According to the source, Dr Gaonkar had been involved in a road mishap when she was riding a two-wheeler while returning from the Vasco railway station on Friday after booking train tickets.
“As she was returning from the railway station, she met with a minor accident after going over a speed breaker. Since she had worn a helmet, she did not suffer head injuries due to the fall but she sustained a fracture on her right leg. The family immediately admitted her to a private hospital in Margao,” said the source.
“Doctors decided to operate her on Saturday and after a successful operation, she was recovering well.
While recuperating in hospital, Dr Gaonkar was in touch with her colleagues in the college and with the college management. She was in touch with all of us the entire day on Monday even till Monday night,” said the source.
“However early Tuesday morning, she complained of restlessness and was checked by doctors. She became pale but did not complain of any pain.
She later had tea was feeling fine. She later went to rest but subsequently passed away due to a heart attack,” the source added.
News of Dr Gaonkar’s death shocked the management, staff and students of the college, with many describing her as an active person.
She is survived by her husband, who was the former principal of Chowgule College at Margao, and two children who are in the USA. The funeral is expected to take place on their arrival.
