Leander inconsolable as father Vece Paes is laid to rest

Leander Paes (left) and Sourav Ganguly in Kolkata on Sunday. Pic/S Mukherjee

Dr Vece Paes - the 1972 Munich Olympics bronze medal-winning hockey player, who passed away on Thursday, at the age of 80 - was laid to rest here at Lower Circular Road Cemetery on Sunday evening.

His funeral mass was held at St Thomas Church with the coffin draped with the flags of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan - two of the city's biggest sports clubs, whom Paes represented. Former India captain and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, former India batter Arun Lal, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, and singer Usha Uthup were among the attendees.

Dr Paes's son, Leander - an 18-time Grand Slam-winner in tennis - was inconsolable throughout the service. "We speak of sadness after every death, but my father told me to provide joy to everyone, especially to poor people. I have already started doing that. I shall continue to stretch my helping hand towards the poor. It has helped me find little joy even during this crisis," said a tearful Paes while addressing the congregation after the mass.

Dr Paes was a man of many talents. He had served as the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union (1996-2002) and also worked as a medical consultant with the BCCI, Asian Cricket Council, All India Football Federation and the Indian Olympic Association.