Goa's first woman CM Shashikala Kakodkar passes away

Goa's first woman chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar today passed away at the ripe age of 81 at her Altinho residence in Panaji after suffering from a prolonged illness.

The Goa government has announced two days state mourning, while all government offices were given holiday today.

Kakodhar was ailing for six months and was bed-ridden since the last one month.

Following her father's death in 1973 while being still in office, Kakodkar became chief minister and continued to be in power till 1979.

Kakodkar was active in social and cultural fields and had headed the Bhartiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), a front demanding mother tongue be made medium of instruction in elementary education.

She is survived by three sons and the final rites would be performed tomorrow evening.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar while expressing condolences said Goa has lost the woman whose has contributed immensely to the development of the state.