-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM: Smiles flashed on the faces of five members of the Falkar family from New Wada Pilgao today as the light of the first bulb brightened their house, after the Rotary Club of Margao Midtown installed a solar panel that brightened the house.
This was the first blub lit in this house, without power and water for 50 years. The issue was reported by Herald in its edition of July 18, after which the Rotary Club of Margao Midtown along with many others called to offer help. The Rotary Club was first to act on its offer as soon as Herald put them in touch with the Falkar family The club’s president Sushant Surlakar, Dr Lenni de Costa, treasurer, Rajiv Fernandes, Senon Rodrigueses and Raggi Fernandes were among those present at Pilgao. Mr Surlakar thanked Herald for highlighting the issue of the Falkar family who did not have light for 50 years. Dr de Costa said it was a great opportunity to help these type of people " Herald has done a commendable work for the family and installing the solar light for the family is a part of the Rotary light project. We have already given 10 solar lights in south Goa and we are happy to light another house now in north Goa," he added Ashok Falkar, the head of the family, whose three generations have lived without power or water for fifty years also thanked Herald for highlighting the issue without which it would not have been possible for him to fight the battle. " Today, the electricity department personnel came to us and assured that they would soon give us the electricity and took stock of the situation and assured us of the conncetion. This would not have been possible if the media had not supported us." Falkar said.