Final rites of former army chief held with full military honours
PANAJI
Goans were filled with grief and pride at the same time when they bid adieu to two stalwarts of the State -- a first Goa chief of army staff General Sunith Francis Rodrigues and hospitality czar Victor Albuquerque -- on Monday.
The final rites of former chief of army staff and former governor General SF Rodrigues were performed with full military honours in Panaji on Monday.
The retired general passed away on March 4 after prolonged illness at the age of 88 and the final rites were held at the Moksha crematorium in St Inez, here.
Among the many dignitaries who paid their last respects to the departed general and offered condolences to the bereaved family included Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Sunith Rodrigues was born in Mumbai, but was a native of Curtorim-Salcete and he spent his post-retirement there.
He was commissioned in the Indian Army in 1952 and commanded a Division, Corps, two Army Commands and was eventually appointed as Chief of Army Staff from July 1, 1990 to June 30, 1993.
The general had taken part in the 1962 India-China war, as well as conflicts with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971.
He was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. He is survived by wife Jean Rodrigues, sons Captain Neal Rodrigues and Dr Mark Rodrigues and daughter Dr Susan Viswanathan.
Also, the final rites of prominent industrialist and hotelier Victor Albuquerque took place in Panaji on Monday.
A large number of people from different walks of life attended the Funeral Mass of late Albuquerque at Don Bosco in Panaji. He is survived by his wife Sylvia and their two sons, Vinay and Varun.
The 80-year-old industrialist was well known in Goa’s hospitality, real estate and healthcare industries, with the tourism sector being close to his heart.
Since February 2013, he had also served as the honorary consul of the Russian Federation in Goa.
