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TRIBUTE CYRIL PACHECO CYRIL Pacheco, a young and dynamic social activist, breathed his last on June 13, 2001, when he fell an unfortunate victim to falciparum malaria. His death, at such an young age, plunged a whole lot of his friends and associates into immense grief. Quite early in life, Cyril was smitten with the love for social issues and relentlessly, dedicatedly worked to eradicate social injustice in the State. He was always in the forefront of a number of important movements, which Goa witnessed in the recent years. His deep involvement with the student movement is well-known, when it was at its nadir in 1979-80. Cyril also excelled in the managerial capacity, which was proved abundantly during the election campaigns of Janata Party candidates Ferdino Rebello and the late Madhav Bir. He had never comprised on any issue with the government on any other institution. Hence several of his former comrades-students, ramponkars, toddy-tappers, Konkani activisits-gathered at a condolence meeting held at Panjim's Institute Menezes Braganza hall on June 17. They recalled the excellent virtues of the deceased leader and the high ideals he lived and fought for throughout his short span of life. They paid glowing tributes to his memory. Convernor Aires Rodrigues described Cyril Pacheco as a dedicated worker, uncomprising on any issue. Aires said that Cyril's memory would be perpetuated ideally by uniting the students and the youth under a single non-political forum for battling socio-economic issues. The president of the All Goa freedom Fighters' Association and noted Konkani poet, Naguesh Karmali bemoaned the fact that sincere and dedicated persons like the late Cyril have been sidelined sadly in the State. Dr Nandkumar Kamat said that establishing a social support system would be the best tribute, which could be paid to Cyril's memory. Cyril was a frank and secular personality, according to noted Konkani writer Pundalik Narayan Naik. Trade Unionist Christopher Fonseca said that the students' movements now lack dedicated activists like late Cyril. In a resolution adopted later, they resolved to carry forward his cherished dreams to fight against injustice in Goa. |