Vishwasrao Chowgule is no more

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-10-05
VASCO- Eminent industrialist and the chairman of Chowgule Group of Companies, Vishwasrao Dattajirao Chowgule passed away after a brief illness at his residence at Baina in Vasco on Saturday morning. He was 93.
Chowgule played a pioneering role in the development of Goan economy. He was the first to export iron ore from Goa’s mines to Japan under the contract of 1951, known as the ‘Chowgule Formula’ which was a preamble to the volume of industrial development of Goa thereby laying foundation to Goa’s economy.
He started his career as a successful industrialist at the age of 36. The economic development of Goa gained its origin only after Chowgule appeared on the industrial horizon of Goa.
He was awarded the scroll of honour, describing him as the ‘Architect of Modern Goa’ by citizens of Goa at a special public function. He was also the recipient of ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ which was presented by the government of India on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebration of India’s Independence during the year 1997-98.
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, Speaker of Goa’s legislative assembly, Mr Pratapsing Rane, deputy Speaker, Mr Mauvin Godinho, South Goa MP, Mr Francisco Sardinha, Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr Subhash Shirodkar, Mormugao municipal council chairperson, Mr Kritesh Gaonkar, industrialist and the chairman of Dempo Group of Companies, Mr Shrinivas Dempo, industrialists, Mr Shivanand Salgaocar, Mr Dattaraj Salgaocar, Shiroda MLA, Mr Mahadev Naik, MLA and industrialist, Mr Anil Salgaocar besides other various eminent personalities paid final respects to Chowgule.
The mortal remains of Chowgule were taken out from his residence at Baina by a motorcade procession for the funeral rites at around 4.45 p.m. The cremation was held later in the family crematorium at Gadegal, Birla, Sancoale. He is survived by three sons, namely, Mr Vijay, Mr Ashok and Mr Umaji and three daughters, Ms Sarita, Ms Rohini and Ms Padma.