As announced, the
funeral of the late A. B. Fernandes was held in his home village Colva Cemetry preceded
by a Mass at Our Lady of Merces Church which was filled with capacity crowd
consisting of his friends, colleagues, relatives and well wishers.
The above was distributed in the Cemetry
Before the starting of
the Mass, one of the local priests in his brief speech highlighted the good
aspects of A. B’s life and the good
deeds he committed when he was alive.
Though the speech was good yet it lacked the required punch and contents
which the local priests will never know.
A.B’s work in Kuwait and his contribution for the cause of Goan
community is a volume of books and this volume is known only to the persons based
in Kuwait. I don’t know why these priests
from Colva want to interfere in the matter of which they have no
knowledge. Even last time when another Colvacar Rosary Ferns died, the local
priest Fr. Alvares spoke something like a baby who being a “kalcho porcho potto”,
knew nothing of Rosary’s work in Kuwait.
In the same way today the local priest did for A.B. Next time they must
confine their involvement only in the subject that comes under their
purview. They should not act too smart in everything.
The body is taken to the Cemetry
Though there were lot
of people for A.B’s funeral yet sadly found missing in the crowd were the members
of the local Konkani Associations. There was
not a single leader of Goan Konkani association, neither from Romi side nor
from Nagri side when A.B. from Kuwait has done so much for the cause of
Konkani. Worst part of the whole
scenario was this that not a single member of now defunct Novem Goem Committee attended
the funeral of Novem Goem Kuwait stalwart and Chairman A.B. Fernandes. Novem Goem Kuwait committee was formed to
assist financially Novem Goem Goa committee but sadly none of its members had
human heart to attend to this funeral.
With the exception of Dr. Rebello who is already expired some years back,
the rest namely, Adv. Clovis D’Costa, Adv. Antonio Bosco Lobo, Adv. Christopher
Fonseca, Adv. Mulgaocar and the main person of NG movement Gurunath Kelekar are
alive but all of them have failed in their human hearts. It is not only negligence but ingratitude of highest
order which is normally deeply engrossed in wild animals.
There are so many
leaders of Konkani movement in Goa from both the camps Romi as well as Nagri
but even they proved how ungrateful and uncultured they are. During those difficult days if Kuwaitcars had not to support Konkani movement in Goa,
today Konkani would never come to the point where it is reached now. And since the late A.B. played a dominant
role from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani, I feel every leader of Konkani was
obligated to show his face today for the funeral of A.B. If Konkani movement is
suffering in Goa it is only because of its leaders who are crooks and
selfish. These people don’t deserve any
award for doing good job for Konkani but they deserve kicks for ignoring the sterling
feat of genuine Konkani promoters mainly like the late A.B. Fernandes. It was not an easy task to work in Kuwait for
Konkani cause as we along with A.B. worked and especially during those critical
days. Those who are in Goa will never
know the sacrifices we did along with A.B. for raising huge funds for Konkani
cause. For this reason, the promoters of
Konkani cause from Kuwait are forgotten, just as the late A.B.
While proposing the vote of thanks, A.B. Fernandes' daughter eulogized her father's qualities in the family and outside and thanked everyone for attending this funeral.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.
