Udupi/Pamboor: Grief and tears of thousands mark the funeral service of Ashwin Dsouza

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pics by Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/Pamboor: 13 Oct 2015:  The twin tragedy that struck Pamboor in the death of two young and promising youths by drowning in the nearby river on the fateful Sunday, 11 October 2015 had its closure with the funeral service of both the victims-Austin Alva   on Monday, 12 October and Ashwin D’Souza on Tuesday, 13 October 2015. Though the mortal remains of these two youths were interned in the holy cemetery of the Holy cross Church, Pamboor, their loss would be felt by their family members, relatives, neighbours, friends and youth of the village and parish for a long time.

 

The funeral service of Ashwin D’Souza was held on Tuesday, 13 October 2015 at 4.15 pm with funeral mass concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva and also the Dean of Shirva Varado along with five other priests including Rev. Fr. Rolvin Aranha, cousin of Ashwin and Rev. Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Director of Youth Commission, Udupi Diocese. 

 

In his introductory remarks, Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro said that, Pamboor parish had to experience two successive sad days through the funerals of two youths-Austin and Ashwin. It is a big loss to their parents , family members and the parish. The parents have had dreams for their children, but these dreams were shattered with their tragic death. Though it is difficult to reimburse their loss, the presence of thousands of people not only from the parish but from neighbouring parishes as well would provide some consolation to the bereaved family members.

 

Rev. Fr. Rolvin Aranha, cousin of Ashwin, in his homily said that all the people in the church have  gathered under sad circumstances, that is, to pay the last respect to Ashwin who lost his life in the drowning tragedy. He further said that everyone in the world is a pilgrim,  some having a long journey and others short. Ashwin’s journey was short. Like a gardener plucking the fower that he liked from the garden without bothering about the pain that the plant would endure, God plucked Ashwin from the garden of this world. It is God’s will and submission to His will would ease the pain. Fr. Rolvin gave a number of examples from the Gospels pointing out how Jesus brought to life those who had died thus providing a hope of life after death. Even Jesus had to submit to the will of God when He was hanged on the Cross and through His rising from the dead on the third day, the humanity got the assurance of resurrection.

 

Following the end of the funeral mass, Mrs. Asumptha D’Souza, Secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council paid tribute to Ashwin through eulogy that highlighted  his fine qualities and his role in the youth movement of the parish. Ashwin was born on 6 November 1995 as the second son of Gilbert and Gracy D’Souza. However, few days before he could complete 20 years the cruel fate snatched him away from his beloved family and friends. With the death of two youngsters, Pamboor parish has lost two of its promising youths.  

 

When the funeral mass was just over at around 5.30 pm, as if the heavens could not bear the loss of Ashwin, it began to rain and as time passed the intensity of the rain increased leading to heavy downpour. Eventually, with the permission of Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro, Dean of Shirva Varado, Rev. Fr. Rolvin Aranha, cousin of Ashwin conducted the funeral service within the church.  The rain stopped after twenty minutes and the mortal remains of Ashwin were taken in procession to the cemetery and were laid to rest.

 

 

The church was packed to capacity with mourners from not only Pamboor parish but also from neighbouring parishes such as Moodubelle, Shirva, Pangala and Kuntalnagar. A large number of youth paid their last respect to their late friend.

 

Prof. Vincent Alva coordinated the funeral service.