Memoir

Eternally grateful to you Adv. Sonak

The living owe it to those who no longer can speak to tell their story for them 
-- Czeslaw Milosz (The Issa Valley)

Sometimes a single meeting can change the course of one's life. For me, my encounter with Adv. Satish Sonak, in the May of 2005, was such a meeting. Some people had come together at Azad Maidan in Panaji to discuss current issues afflicting the State -- from politics to environment to issues of governance and policy decisions. I was a working journalist then and out of curosity slowly slipped into the gathering wanting to know what was in it for me.

I heard many of those gathered speak -- sharing their impressions, discussing and debating without end.  Then I saw a man in his 40s. His voice was rather hoarse, but he gave the impression of being completely at ease. At first, I couldn't grasp what he was talking about, but then he made penetrating comments on different topics, from the burning questions of daily life to contemporary politics.

This was clearly not a religious sermon, nor politics, nor was it a lecture on philosophy. His words were concrete, and he was using commonplace events and examples to explain. The place was full of people in their late 60s, but there was energy and excitement in the air.
When he had finished speaking, a person who knew me, introduced us. Little did I know then that I was to meet a firebrand students' leader of the 80s, Goa's passionate social activist, emminent lawyer, a voice of the under-priviledged, anti-corruption crusader, a well know personality of Goa and above all a "good" & "unbiased" human being in Adv. Sonak (who I fondly addressed as "dotor" ever since). 

He looked intently at me, his eyes sparkling before he broke into a warm and welcoming smile. He was unlike anyone I had ever met. He spoke in simple language, yet radiated warmth. Within minutes I felt as though I knew him or that he was an old friend. I found myself asking him questions about present day politics and issues that bothered the Goan society. His responses were completely frank and straightforward, suggesting the working of a very sharp mind. He radiated conviction. 

My chance encounter with him turned out to be a decisive moment in my life. We were to meet more often later. I went to him on every occasion I would write a feature story, seeking his guidance and opinion on issues that made my stories. Every time I met him, I found him in the midst of people, engrossed in the activity of inspiring people to come up with solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems and to never give up. 

I was to later work with him more closely during the India Against Corruption (IAC) in April 2011, concerned with the introduction of the Jan Lokpal bill. In Goa, we primarily sought to mobilise the masses in support of this movement by organising rallies across Goa. He trusted me with the task of organising the first meeting of Arvind Kejriwal at Margao in the March of 2012, ahead of the Assembly polls which I single handedly organised, much to the satisfaction of Adv. Sonak who was to praise me for a long time to come. This meeting changed the course of my life as it was my first step into activism and later politics. Subsequently as I joined AAP, Adv. Sonak, who was staunchly apolitical, warned me against joining politics. However, he was soon to become my source of motivation and mentored the party after we launched it in Goa in December 2012. 

Much earlier that year, in April to be precise, I had launched Goa's first mainstream magazine for women --- Evescape. Not only did he guide me to start the venture, but also contributed articles and brought in very emminent columnists of Goa, especially women, to write for it. He encouraged me at every step of the publication and stood like a rock in support during difficult times ensuring I do not wither away.
As I became too involved with party activities since 2015, he calmly continued to put all his effort into social causes, especially of women and youth in difficult situations and I know many who were personally encouraged by him, and who found the strength to face whatever difficulties seemed to block their way. He helped me take up a number of women and child related cases (especially those of special children) and gathered support for the causes. He was a voice to the voiceless through the Goa Human Rights Commission -- be it for public crematorium for all beliefs or rights of the Vanarmare tribe to his last petition seeking justice for Lamani vendors. 

Slowly but steadily, he became a mentor to me. On April 7, he passed away after a massive cardiac arrest -- almost suddenly...untimely, leaving me and many like me utterly overwhelmed. I will forever miss our regular conversations, our brainstorming sessions -- yet, part of him will remain with me because he has instilled in me a principle that will guide me the rest of my life. For life his guiding principle was short, just one sentence: In the end, to the best of your ability, do the right thing. 
His legacy will live on in the people he led. It will live on in me.
What I owe him is beyond evaluation and can never be repaid. And I am eternally grateful. 
R.I.P mentor.

Author: Rajeshree Nagarsekar