Ponda: The mortal remains of former Goa Deputy Speaker and writer Vishnu Wagh were consigned to flames at Ponda town, 30 kilometres away from here.
Wagh, 53, had died on February 08 at South Africa where he was on a tour. The former BJP MLA was ailing since August 2016 after he suffered heart stroke.
The remains of Wagh were brought from South Africa during wee hours of Sunday at Goa International which were received by State Art and Culture Minister Govind Gawade, and his well-wishers.
The body was later kept for pubic homage at Dayanand Bandodkar Stadium in Ponda town. Thousands of people paid homage to their beloved leader at the stadium located at the outskirts of Ponda town.
People from various walks of life including former colleagues of Wagh including State Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai, Congress MLA Francis Silveira, Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar and others arrived at the stadium to pay tribute to Wagh.
Guard of Honour was given by Goa Police to the remains before they were taken in a procession to a crematorium in the town.
Hundreds of people participated in the funeral procession which travelled for four kilometers.
The last rites on the mortal remains were performed at the crematorium around 4.30 p.m.
Wagh was BJP MLA representing St Andre constituency in North Goa between 2012-17.
In the field of literature, he has written 20 plays in Marathi and 18 in Konkani besides various Sangeet Nataks.
