The state bid adieu to former deputy speaker and former St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh, who was cremated on Sunday in Ponda with state honours in the presence of a large number of mourners including dignitaries from across the state and other parts of the country.
Wagh was given a literary and musical tribute during the formal function; inter-religious prayers were also held.
The mortal remains of Wagh reached the Dabolim airport around 3.30 am and they were taken to Dhavali at his residence first. Later, a decorated truck carrying the casket with the mortal remains of Wagh left his residence around 8.45 am and reached the Dayanand Bandodkar Ground at Kashimath at 9 am, where the mortal remains were kept for public prayers till 3 pm in the evening.
Thousands of supporters and well-wishers paid homage to the ex-MLA. Ministers, MPs, Deputy Collector and Superintendent of Police paid homage to Wagh by placing wreaths on the casket. Friends, well-wishers and supporters recited poems written by Wagh and narrated their experiences with the departed leader, with live sitar music playing in the background. Wagh was given the ‘salami shastra’, which was followed by ‘shok shastra’ by the police.