MARGAO
Valmiki Faleiro might had a brief stint in politics in the mid-80’s, as he rose to preside over the affairs of the Margao Municipal Council in 1985, but his administrative skills and decision making is often invoked within the precincts of the Municipal building and outside till date.
Young Valmiki occupied the hot seat of Margao Municipal Chairperson after the 1985 civic polls and soon became a talking point in the corridors of the civic body and outside for his administrative acumen and bold decisions. Political figures including former Chairpersons Ajit Hegde, Santosh Raiturkar, besides Digambar Kamat and Manohar Babu Ajgaonkar, who later went on to become MLAs and Ministers, were members of the Margao Municipal Council during Valmiki’s stint at the civic body.
Former Chief Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat recalled that Valmiki took tough decisions during his stint as MMC Chairperson. “He had the administrative skills and never hesitated to take decisions”, he said.
Kamat added: “We belonged to two different groups in the civic body, but we maintained our personal relationships. Whenever we had any doubts and needed any advise, we used to turn to him. Even during my stint as Chief Minister, Valmiki used to point out things which ought to have been done differently. He was a nice person”.
Ex-Dy Chief Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, expressed his shock and surprise over Valmiki’s death. Presently out of the country, Ajgaonkar recalled that Valmiki was an intelligent person and had the administrative skills. “Though we were not part of one group in the civic body then, we enjoyed good relations. He had instilled discipline amongst the staff and employees. His administrative qualities had earned him accolades from the people”, Ajgaonkar said.
Incumbent leader of the Goa Municipal Employees Association Anil Shirodkar said Valmiki was bold and daring and took decision in the best interest of Margao and its citizens. “We were then young employees of the Margao civic body. Valmiki had the quality of instilling discipline amongst the staff. As young employees, we had lent our full cooperation to Valmiki during his stint in office”, Anil recalled.
Former Margao Municipal Chairperson Ajit Hegde pointed out that he and Valmiki were never on one page in the Margao Civic body during that term, but enjoyed personal relationship till the last. “Politically, we were not on the same page in the Margao Civic body, but we always maintained close personal relations till the last”, he added.
Bureaucrat-turned-politician, former Director of Municipal Administration Elvis Gomes pointed out that Valmiki had made a name for himself during his short stint as Margao Municipal Chairperson. “Madgavkars and Fatordekars, besides senior civic staff still remember Valmiki’s administrative and leadership qualities and his work for the city”, he said.
Social activist Jose Marie Miranda said people still talk about Valmiki’s stint as Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council in the mid-80’s. “Valmiki’s is known for his research work and writings. He had also made a name in journalism and in writing. I am told that he had done very well during his stint as Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council”, Miranda stated.
A host of visitors, including friends, relatives and well wishers, trickled at his residence since Thursday noon after the shocking news of his demise spread far and wide.
