BATHALAPALLY: In death too, Fr Vincent Ferrer was in service of the needy. He told his family members that after his death his body should be laid to rest on the premises of Rural Development Trust (RDT) hospital in Bathalapally.
His wish had a profound significance.
People who come to attend his funeral and visitors who visit his memorial in future would donate funds to the Hospital and other institutions in the village.
At RDT hospital in Bathalapally, besides providing medical facilities to the poor and needy, there is special clinic for the people who are HIV positive, a Nursing School, Artificial Limb Centre, a Jute School and Cloth design Printing School.
In accordance with Fr Ferrer’s last wish, his mortal remains would be laid to rest with State honours at RDT Hospital premises at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday.
“Thousands I see at a glance” Wordsworth said writing about Daffodils. The scene in Bathalapally is no different. For the past three days ever since Fr Ferrer breathed his last, thousands of people especially from the rural areas thronged to the RDT hospital premises where his body was kept for the people to pay their respects, leading to traffic congestion.
The police had to divert the vehicles by another route.
Men and women, old and young, children, people from all hues and several villages broke down seeing Fr Ferrer’s body. They remember with gratitude the selfless service that the Good Samaritan did for them. It is as though they lost a dear one from their own family.
M Narasimhulu from Gorantla told TNIE that Fr Ferrer not only made his wife undergo training as Nurse but also employed her. Fr Ferrer was also educating Narasimhulu’s daughter. “We can not find another human being like Father in this century,” he said.
Women from Antarganga village in Kuderu mandal said the Father gave them pucca houses.
“From shelterless we have become owners of a permanent house. “How can we express our gratitude,” the women asked.
To attend Fr Ferrer’s funeral rites, Speaker of Spanish Parliament Osaba will be reaching Anantapur today. TDP leaders M V Mysoora Reddy, Nimmala Kisttappa, P Keshav, R Ramachandra Reddy, former MP K Srinivas and TDP district president V Hanumantharaya Chowdary today visited Bathalapally and paid floral tributes to the Father.
A television channel from Spain has flown in its unit to give live telecast of Fr Ferrer’s funeral. Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy will represent the State Government at the final rites.