On 7th April 2017 Advocate Satish Sonak left us so suddenly after a massive
heart attack in a Court Room leaving all astonished. He was a great
selfless warrior who tirelessly worked in seeking justice for the poor,
downtrodden and the oppressed. A true Goenkar he always was and will
continue to inspire us all to do our bit to carry his mission forward.
Satish Sonak was a truly and ever so remarkable gentleman who cared about
his fellow human beings, championing the causes particularly of the less
privileged and disadvantaged strata of society around him, willing to stand
up and dared to be counted where others feared to venture. A true friend
and companion of the poor, deprived and voiceless.
Right from his student days Satish Sonak was an avid reader and fiery
orator, whether in English, Konkani or Marathi. He also contributed thought
provoking articles to several newspapers and interviewed on television
several eminent personalities in various fields of public life.
Indeed he demonstrated fabulous skills of interviewing -- limiting himself
to a minimum of verbiage and bringing forth from the interviewee the full
range of his thoughts and experience. That showed us, the readers and
viewers, Satish Sonak’s intellectual acumen
Doing justice to his profession as a lawyer he became one of the foremost
human rights warriors, taking up many causes such as the rights of women
and children, marginalized tribes, the physically and mentally
disadvantaged, anti-corruption and the rights of the common man. During the
1979 student agitation for 50% bus concession I was very privileged to work
alongside him.
Even in death, his donation was the gift of his precious eyes to another
human being. Satish Sonak was indeed an inspiration to all and particularly
the youth of Goa who are now the only hope for fast our sinking State.
Over the years Satish Sonak did everything possible for Goa. He was
strongly opposed to corruption and the menacing culture of Casinos
engulfing the State. Goa's greed-infected political class should introspect
and reflect as to the manner in which they have continued the rank and
blatant degradation of Goa, something that Satish Sonak was always very
concerned and extremely disturbed about.
Satish Sonak led a very simple and humble life. He may have been one of the
few established Advocates in Goa who never owned a four wheeler.
Our true tribute to the great and distinguished soul, would be to
steadfastly carry on that great vision and mission that our Satish Sonak
had embarked on. Let us all vow to carry on the unfinished task Satish
Sonak had undertaken to Save what remains of Goa.
We will all one day depart this world, but our Goa must truly live sans all
this lip sympathy and rhetoric talk. And that would be living up to the
hopes and aspirations of the great warrior Satish Sonak always was.
Aires Rodrigues
Advocate High Court
C/G-2, Shopping Complex
Ribandar Retreat,
Ribandar – Goa – 403006
Mobile No: 9822684372
Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012
Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com
Or
airesrodrig...@yahoo.com
You can also reach me on
Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues
Twitter@rodrigues_aires
www.airesrodrigues.com
