Amid teary chants, thousands converge for final farewell

Margao: At midnight, when most politicians are unreachable, Ketan Bhatikar’s phone was never off. He showed up — for the sick, the desperate, the forgotten — not because it won him votes, but because it was, as those who knew him say, simply who he was. On Friday, thousands came for him — lining both sides of the streets of Ponda to say a goodbye that nobody was prepared for.

The 41-year-old physiotherapist, whose life was cut tragically short by a suspected snakebite while travelling through Anmod Ghat, was consigned to flames amid scenes of profound grief that brought an entire town to a standstill.

The news had hit Ponda like a thunderbolt. By the time his mortal remains were brought to his residence, thousands had already gathered, drawn by the memory of a man who had touched their lives in more ways than one. The mourners spoke of a man always available, always willing, always present — whether it was the middle of the afternoon or the dead of night.

“This was the most cruel way for death to snatch him,” said a close supporter, struggling to hold back tears. “He struggled hard to reach this level of popularity. God should have given him just one more chance.”

Ponda resident Subhash Jan said, “Setting aside political differences and divergence of ideology, he was a unique personality who gave the highest priority to personal relationships and to people,” he said. “Rushing wholeheartedly to help anyone in times of crisis. The void created by his passing will never be filled.”

As the funeral cortege made its solemn journey through the town, streets that echoed with campaign slogans hardly a month ago now rang with a different cry: Amar Bhatikar Amar rahe.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, PWD minister Digambar Kamat, power minister Sudin Dhawlikar, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and AAP state president Valmiki Naik were among the politicians who visited the Bhatikar residence to pay their respects.

Bhatikar had recently joined the Congress after leaving the MGP, and was the Congress candidate for the April 9 Ponda Assembly by-election, which was subsequently cancelled following a high court order.

As the flames rose and the crowds wept, one question, voiced by a mourner and felt by all, hung in the air: “You have left us too early. Who shall Ponda turn to now?”