With deep grief last month I received the news of the sad demise of Dr. Susrut Martins in Goa at the young age of 48. Dr. Susrut and me were closely associated during the language agitation in Goa in organising meetings and rallies at Panjim. During those days in eighties I was on vacation for 2 months in Goa and during the entire vacation period I moved with Konkani agitationists under Konkani Porjecho Avaz. Dr. Susrut Martins was very regular in his attendance either at Azad Maidan or at T. B. Cunha Hall and always showed his appreciation to me for directly and physically involving in the agitation inspite of being a non resident Goan. Almost every week we used to take our Morcha “Rally” to Altinho at the residential Banglows of every minister and organize meetings in front of their Bunglows. Under Dr. Susrut Martins we also took our Morcha to Altinho and during this occasion I found him very reliable and systematic having good leadership qualities and organising abilities. During that time along with him, I also associated with his father who was very disappointed on Goa Government’s lack of support for the cause of Konkani.
During the Hunger Strike at Azad Maidan for 5 days constinuosly organized by Eng. Datta Naik, Prof. Dileep Borker and Dionizio, Dr. Susrut was always present there checking their Blood pressures. When I joined there with this Hunger Striking Trio as the Fourth agitationist on the third day, again Dr. Susrut Martins was there to check my Blood Pressure, in fact he was constantly with me taking care of my wellbeing since he knew I had to return to Kuwait.
Dr. Susrut Martins was a great supporter of Konkani and his fluency in Nagri script Konkani was superb, he also had a very good command of Marathi, written as well as spoken. During those days his knowledge of Nagri script Konkani was a great asset for us and I was proud to have him with us as a well conversant in Nagri and Romi sciprts Konkani. Seeing this ability of his, some of the "Chor" and "Beiman" Nagrivadis who robbed us Romivadis of our deserving share in Konkani field and also showed ingratitude to our sacrifices for the cause of Konkani, were showing envy to Dr. Susrut Martins. On one particular occasion on the day of his selection to lead our Morcha to Altinho, one of the "Kochro" type Nagrivadis objected the selection of Dr. Susrut and asked Dr. Susrut to withdraw his leadership. For this, Dr. Susrut said boldly "I dont care you and am not afraid of you. I am selected by all and not by you. Just shut your mouth otherwise I will follow my freedom fighter father's example and silence you". His father physically once fought with "Chor" and "Crimidor" freedom fighters who were spoiling fair image of genuine freedom fighters who were in freedom movement for the genuine cause of Goa and not to make money by robbing innocent Goans at Gun Point. Many of the freedom fighters of Goa were fake freedom fighters, they were robbing innocent Goans and killing innocent Goans. Both the Martins - father and son - involved in Goan affairs only for the good of Goa and Goans. Such genuine Goans are rarity to find asmongst us now. The very few who are there their number is dwindling.
May Heavenly God give Eternal Rest to Dr. Susrut Martins and courage to his family to bear this colossal loss.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
