Police officers ‘get opportunity of a lifetime’ shouldering casket

Panaji: Monday was an especially emotional day for a select few police officers as they learnt they had a special task ahead of them. Twelve of them were shortlisted to shoulder the responsibility of carrying the casket containing the relics of St Francis Xavier and loading it onto the special carriage at Old Goa during the Exposition.
The 12 police officers from the Catholic community expressed gratitude for being chosen to shoulder the casket. They view it as a prestigious assignment that will forever remain etched in their memories.
PI GRP Filomena Costa said, “I thank the church authorities for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime.”
PI SPCR Brendon D’Souza said that the opportunity to shoulder the saint is an honour. D’Souza said, “It is a very different feeling. The moment will bring me cheer my entire life. It is a proud feeling for me.”
Verna PI Melson Colaco said that it is a great privilege for him. “Nobody gets such an opportunity. I am lucky. I did not know that we would get this opportunity. First, we thought that we would march with the casket but yesterday when I came to know, I was happy,” Colaco said.
Theron D’Costa, PI, Betul coastal police station, said that this is the first time the opportunity has been given to the police personnel and there is no guarantee that it will come in the near future. “We are part of history. We never thought of this opportunity in our lifetime. It is a recognition of our service and we are grateful to the organising committee of the church,” D’Costa said.
“When I told my family, they were surprised, and proud that a family member has got such an opportunity,” D’Costa said.