Politicians, well-wishers recall Bhatikar’s unrelenting social service, public outreach
Ponda: A pall of gloom descended across Ponda and the state following the untimely demise of Dr Ketan Bhatikar, a physiotherapist, social worker, and emerging Congress leader whose compassionate service and dedication towards society earned him immense admiration across political and social circles.
Several people gathered at the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH), where his postmortem was conducted. Political leaders also visited the hospital and later paid their respects at his residence in Ponda.
Later, thousands of grief-stricken people gathered at Bhatikar’s residence and later at Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir to pay their final respects. Family members, friends, supporters, political leaders, and well-wishers assembled in large numbers to bid farewell to the departed leader. The atmosphere remained sombre as mourners from all walks of life offered floral tributes and prayers in his memory. Several prominent personalities and local residents were present during the final homage ceremony.
Priol MLA Govind Gaude said Bhatikar was a fearless and dynamic young leader who always stood firmly with the youth of Ponda and emerged as a role model for many. “He was admired and loved by youths across all communities for his helping nature and leadership qualities. His untimely passing is an irreparable loss to society,” Gaude said.
Bhatikar had campaigned as the Congress candidate for the Ponda bypoll, which was later scrapped.
Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Yuri Alemao described Bhatikar as a people’s leader whose dedication to public service would forever be remembered.
“Our thoughts are with his family in this difficult time,” Alemao said, while adding that Goa had lost a grassroots leader who tirelessly championed the rights of ordinary citizens.
“Bhatikar was not merely a leader of Ponda, but a beloved figure for the entire state, admired for his relentless social service, particularly during periods when the people of Ponda lacked adequate representation. His helping nature towards the needy will be remembered forever,” he said.
Goa Pradesh Congress president Amit Patkar said he had Bhatikar four days ago. “This has come as a real shock to me. I have known him since he started his social work, politics was secondary to him. He was a good person who worked with responsibility. It is a loss for Goa and for us,” said.
Bhatikar’s death came at a time when his fight for justice was still being heard in the Supreme Court today, said permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) senior Congress leader Girish Chodankar.
“What must not be forgotten is that Bhatikar took this fight to the highest court of the land because the cancellation of the election in his constituency, on grounds that were flimsy at best, robbed the people of their democratic right to a free and fair electoral verdict,” he said.
Recalling his long association with Bhatikar, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai said that he had treated him for bilateral tennis elbow.
“The way in which his death came about is very shocking and sad. I have a very long association with him. I had a problem of bilateral tennis elbow which he had healed in around 2013-14 and while doing this he used aquatic therapy. While doing this, he began to like politics and worked in social work, and was a passionate person who would work wholeheartedly. I pray to God to give strength to his parents, brothers and family members and to give him eternal rest,” Sardesai said.
BJP’s Ponda candidate Ritesh Naik said that Bhatikar was a selfless and dedicated social worker whose contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic would always be remembered with respect and gratitude. “His long-pending dream of achieving district hospital status to ID Hospital will be sincerely pursued with the support of CM Pramod Sawant. I express my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to his family during this difficult time,” Naik said.
Stating that Bhatikar’s death has left a void in the Congress, senior Congress leader Sunil Kawthankar said, “We are finding it difficult to process. It just shows that life is very uncertain and this is an example. I had met him recently. It has become very difficult to say anything.”
President of Goa Pradesh Youth Congress committee Archit Naik said Bhatikar’s death was not only a big loss for the entire Congress family, but also for the people of Ponda and the state. “I have worked with him and it is just shocking to hear what has happened, and Goa has lost a son of the soil,” he said.
AAP leader Adv Surel Tilve said his association with Bhatikar went back to the India Against Corruption movement. “His sporting nature, dedication towards society, and positive attitude made him special. We will always miss him,” said Tilve.
Spiritual leader Sadguru Brahmeshanand Swami also mourned the sad demise of Bhatikar and fondly recalled his dedicated and selfless service in the healthcare sector.
Ketan was like my son, respected me like he did his parents: Sudin
Panaji: Although Dr Ketan (Bhatikar) had politically distanced himself from MGP, he always remained emotionally close to the Dhavalikar family, said MGP President DeepakDhavalikar, expessing his “deep shock by the tragic demise” of Bhatikar, whom he described not as a politician, but as a genuinely good human being with an affectionate and humble nature.
Power Minister and senior MGP leader Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, under whom Bhatikar worked during his tenure in the MGP, recalled their close bond.
“I regarded him like my own child. After his parents, he respected me immensely,” said Sudin.
He also recalled their shared devotion for Goddess Mahalaxmi, saying Bhatikar would unfailingly accompany him for morning blessings at the temple. “I was shattered on hearing about his death. I could not believe or digest the news,” he said, adding that he personally contacted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at dawn to confirm the heartbreaking development. Sudin assured that the Bhatikar family’s legacy of social service would continue.
“He sacrificed his life for social service,” Deepak said and added that the loss was “unmatchable” for the people of Ponda.
Fulfilling the long-pending ID Hospital promise will serve as a true tribute to Bhatikar, he said.
