MARGAO
Noted social worker from Cuncolim, Bhiku Uttam Desai, passed away on Thursday after a brief illness. He was 83.
Family sources confirmed that Bhiku had been ill for some time and had been undergoing treatment in Mumbai when he breathed his last.
He was the brother of former Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Ramesh Desai and brother-in-law of Akhil Goa Swatantra Sainik Sanghatana President Dad Desai. His last rites will be performed at Dandora-Cuncolim on Saturday noon.
Bhiku made significant contributions in the social field. While working in the forensic department of Goa Medical College, he helped many people. He was the founder-president of the Employees Cooperative Society and served as president of Shri Shantadurga KunkalliKarin Sansthan. Bhiku also made substantial contributions to education, being a founder member and president of the Sharda Bal Mandir Marathi School Society. He had also served as president of the Cuncolim Jaycees and Cuncolim Rotary Club.
As a founder member of the Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust, Bhiku was honoured by the Trust with the Kunkalli Shri Award in recognition of his work.
Meanwhile, the Akhil Gomantak Kshatriya Maratha Samaj Sanghatana has expressed its grief over his passing. The society paid tribute to him, stating that it had lost a great and strong Maratha.
The Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Trust also paid tribute to Bhiku, expressing its sorrow over the loss of a fearless and self-respecting Cuncolkar.
