THE LATE A.B.FERNANDES - EX KUWAIT.

It was a sad news to hear of the death of Mr. A.B. Fernandes, on 14^th of this month at his residence in Colva, Goa.  May his soul rest in peace.

The late Agostinho Baltazar Fernandes, popularly known everywhere in Kuwait as A.B., was one of the early Goans who came to Kuwait and who spent over 3.5 decades in Kuwait till 2^nd August 1990 when Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein.  Hailing from Colva, he spent his early schooling days at Arpora School, as a boarder where he excelled in different fields during his entire scholastic career till he finished his Matriculation there. Having been brought up under the direct shadow of the then Principal of that School, Fr. Mendonca, A.B. grew up with strict discipline which he inculcated later on in his life.  While in school he was a good student as well as good in extracurricular activities namely sports – football in particular, debates, Tiatros etc. 

After completing his schooling he went to Kuwait and got employed at the prestigious company M/s Bahar Shipping where he finally rose to the position of a General Manager. While at Bahar he helped many Goans to get employment if not big then at least a small to survive as Teleclerk in the Port area.  Knowing his humble upbringing in Goa he always symphatised with the small and downtrodden by helping them in whatever small way he could.  Many times he would not let know his one hand what he gave in his other hand to the needy.

He was a prestige, dignity and decency  of Goan community in Kuwait being upright in his behavior and character.  A good and dedicated family man involving in many activities beyond his job for the cause of community.  He was very regular in the Church doing different type of jobs in the Church to get things moving by helping the Church authorities.  There was a time when any emergency arises, the Bishop of Kuwait would call him even late at night and he as an obedient servant of God would oblige willingly.  Though he was a big man yet he never refused to integrate with the small.  His presence for Tiatros, football matches and other Goan activities was always regular.

His love for Goa and Goan causes was extremely high and for Konkani cause his love was more than extremely high.  Precisely because of this he was elected unanimously as the Chairman of Novem Goem Kuwait Somiti to raise funds for Novem Goem Daily in Goa, in late seventies.  The success of our movement in Kuwait in raising more than the required fund was largely because of the tremendous efforts put in by A.B. Fernandes.  Not only this, by heading this organization, he brought respect, prestige  and dignity to Konkani especially in Kuwait in particular and in the Gulf in general when Konkani was treated with low respect.  He helped me a lot to carry forward the Konkani movement in Kuwait which ultimately helped the cause of Konkani movement in Goa. Without his assistance and involvement Konkani movement in Kuwait would not have been what finally it was.

Inspite of doing so much for the cause of Konkani none of the Konkani leaders or Konkani associations remembered him during the last so many years he was in Goa. Even though he did so much for the cause of Konkani from Kuwaiti yet he was treated as a forgotten hero by all the Konkani associations in Goa.  It was a total ingratitude shown to him by our corrupt and selfish Konkani promoter leaders.  This is the quality of our Konkani leaders in Goa who should know that what Kuwait Goans did for the cause of Konkani very few did in Goa and A.B. is one of the few.

When Damodar Mauzo pleaded on behalf of KPA for funds for organizing KPA’s big meeting in Panjim, A.B. was one of the Goans who volunteered to give his donation.  Because of Kuwaitcars’  fat donation the KPA Meet was a big success.  The “Beiman” Konkani leaders in Goa must know this.  Without our assistance nothing would move forward at that time in Goa.  I know who were begging with us for funds for Konkani movement in Goa but all of them are like rascals keeping their silence now.

Being a Colvakar, the late A.B. was on forefront to carry forward the activities of Colva Association in Kuwait that raised so much of funds for the construction of Church Hall in Colva.  Besides, he helped so many Colvakars in so many ways to attain their goals.  He was a pride of Colva in Kuwait.  In his death, Colva lost a great Colvakar and Goa lost a great Goan. 

May His Soul Rest In Peace.

A.Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.

 

  

 

THE LATE PROF. LUCIO RODRIGUES REMEMBERED.

 

  

Yesterday in the evening I had a nice opportunity to attend the Meet at Xaviers Research Center, Porvorim, starting at 6.00 PM. This Meet was also attended by a class of intellectuals.  This Meet was organized to mark the 100^th birthday of the late Prof. Lucio Rodrigues  who was known as an authority on Goan Folk Songs being an expert in Folkloric aspects of Goa.

 

Isabela seen speaking, seated Prof. Rabin, Dr. Couto & Ramona.

 

Prof. Lucio Rodrigues was the Professor at Dempe College heading the English department having taught English there for about a decade till his sudden and untimely death in 1973.  Though he was not my professor since I was studying at Xaviers Mapusa yet thru my innumerable friends at Dempes, I was kept abreast of the beauty and greatness of his lectures because of which he was loved by the students as well as by the College management.  Even though he was majestic in his subject gaining accolades from all sides yet he was very humble and kind towards his students whom he treated with highest love and respect ever ready to assist them in their studies. A very stylish gentleman, he was also admired by his students for his elegant dress code.

 

 

Author of books written on Goan Folklore, he was very proud of Konkani and even in the class he used to utter some words and statements in Konkani. He had great love for singing Manddos and even in Bombay before coming to Goa he promoted Manddo culture there by being in the company of other such great Bombay Goans of whose type are very difficult to find now.  It is a pity that once the citadel of Goan cultural activities,  Bombay is now facing the draught of great Goans to promote our culture.  Present day Goan generation regretfully is shying away from everything Goan. His love for poetry and music was extremely high.

The persons seated at the dais were closely linked with him either as his students or colleagues in teaching fraternity who in their respective speeches highly eulogized their mentor and “guru” for the excellence in him.  They were Isabela, Prof. Rabin, Dr. Couto and Ramona. It was my pleasure to listen to such great orators speaking out their hearts in love of their guru. 

It is a pity that greats are not born in Goa now.  Goans like Prof. Lucio Rodrigues are born once in centuries. Will we get another like him on our soil? I doubt.  May his soul Rest In peace.

A.     Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.