PANAJI
Veteran freedom fighter and the initiator of the cooperative movement in the State, Tulshidas Malkarnekar, popularly known as the ‘man in white’ in Margao, died of a brief illness on Thursday morning. He was 89. Survived by wife, son, two married daughters and grandchildren, his last wish of donating his body could not be fulfilled owing to Covid-19 crises, the family sources stated.
“My father had donated his eyes and also his body to the Goa Medical College, but due to the Covid-19 situation prevailing in the State, we could not fulfil his last wish,” said son Sudesh, an entrepreneur who runs a stationery shop in Margao.
A Quepem born Malkarnekar completed his education in Mumbai and returned to Goa in 1961. Active in the Quit India movement he was jailed along with Aruna Asafali. He went to jail during the Samyukta Maharashtra struggle. He also conducted a camp for Azad Gomantak Dal and participated in the underground movement for the liberation of Goa. His political affiliations were with All India Congress Committee (AICC) and later Janata Dal, Goa.
Late Malkarnekar, an active social worker and the founder of the cooperative movement in Goa, was awarded Sahakar Shree Puraskar and Samaj Sevak Puraskar, for his contribution to the social causes. He was the founder member of Madgaum Urban Co-operative Bank, Goa State Cooperative Bank, Goa Co-operative Marketing and Supply Federation Ltd, Dhanashree Cooperative Credit Society, Salcete Taluka House Mortgage Society, Madgaon Nagar Samiti and many more. He also had a stint in journalism and received the first prize from Marathi Academy for his book of memories – Pankh Hote Tya Divasanna.
Associated with Gomant Vidya Niketan as a secretary and president, Malkarnekar was an executive member of Gomant Sahitya Sevak Mandal.
