PANAJI
The mortal remains of Goa’s first woman chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar was consigned to flames in the presence of a galaxy of leaders, including Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, other ministers and MLAs, as well as her sons and family.
Draped in the tricolour, Kakodkar’s final journey began a little after 4.30 pm on Saturday afternoon with full state honours. The decorated motorcade began from the Bandodkar residence via the Siddharth Bandodkar Hall and office and made its way to the St Inez crematorium for her final rites.
Earlier in the day, a steady stream of visitors poured into the Bandodkar residence beginning 11.30 am on Saturday, with the numbers picking up as her hour of final departure neared. Politicians cutting across party lines made their presence felt to pay her last respects.
Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik, PWD and Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar were present.
South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, former chief ministers Ravi Naik and Luizinho Faleiro as well as current MLAs Naresh Sawal and Pandurang Madkaikar were also present.
Valmiki Naik and Pradip Ghadi Amonkar as well as Subhash Velingkar, Raju Sukerkar and other BBSM members were in full force at the residence.
Offering his condolences, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that it was both a personal loss as well as a loss to the state.
“Whenever I had a doubt about anything I would always consult her and she was always supportive,” Parrikar said, even as he admitted that he was still studying when she was the chief minister of the state.
Her remains were consigned to flames in the presence of a group of around 200 of her family friends and supporters. The two-day state mourning came to a close on Saturday.
