Veteran Freedom Fighter Shashikala Hodarkar Almeida passed away on Monday, 2nd September 2024 at Pune and was cremated on the same evening at Vaikunth Smashan Bhumi in Pune. He son-in-law Vilas Bahulikar performed the last rites.
She was wife of Freedom Fighter Anstasio Almeida and Sister of Freedom Fighter Ramesh Hodarkar and Corporate Director Aravind Hodarkar.
Born on 23rd June 1931 at Ponda, she bravely participated in Goa Liberation Movement under the banner of “National Congress” led by Freedom Fighter Sindhutai Joshi. She had done Satyagraha at Margao on 27th February 1955 for which she was arrested and jailed for 4 years by Portuguese.
Shashikala Hodarkar Almedia had openly expressed her displeasure over Government not inviting them for the 60th Goa Liberation Day function which was attended by President of India. She was also vocal on non-receipt of timely pension to Freedom Fighters.
She was felicitated by Congress Party on 19th December 2021 at Lohia Maidan, Margao to mark 60 years of Goa Liberation Movement. She was honoured by Congress Leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during “Priyadarshani Womens Conference” at Costa Ground, Margao in 2022.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Congress Party President Amit Patkar, Adv. Radharao Gracias, Vishal Pai Cacode and others have offered their tributes to the veteran freedom fighter.