Thursday 24th of this month was the very
horrible day for me because at J M J
Hospital Porvorim, at 2.00 PM my eldest brother popularly known as Cheddo got a
massive heart attack when undergoing treatment for some other ailment in that
hospital. He was 83 and retired from Goa Police – Panjim, in a Technical Division.
At his residence
He was a public figure
in my village and had a great wish to fight for the downtrodden and weak. He was very active in the local affairs namely
in Panchayat during the Gram Saba Meetings, at Mandd, in the Church and
elsewhere. Fighting for justice and right is his forte. Some of the local
politicians were even trying to bribe him to prevent him from raising important
issues but he was adamant and never submitted because in such matters he was
most upright. He helped so many people
to get their work done but never accepted anything in return. He
fought vigorously against injustice in our village. In the last Assembly
Election, he totally supported Michael Lobo even going with him house to house
for canvassing as he was a firm supporter of Lobo. Many of those who enjoyed
his support did not even see him in the hospital when he was sick there,of
course unfortunately.
Local Pe. Vigar
He was an ace
footballer playing for Goa Police since 1958 gaining name and fame when the
word Cheddo means terror for opponents’ defenders and goalie as well. He could
use his both the legs with equal ease but his right foot had better power and
inspite of this fact, he had an unique distinction of scoring a goal from his
left foot against the then mighty team Academica, from the Centre line on Candolim
ground. When he joined Goa Police he was
a rare Goan player to get an opportunity to play along with the then mighty
Pakle and Khapri players but because of his high calibre he succeeded and went
on playing for longest period. Candolim is yet to produce another Cheddo.
His grand daughter on funeral oration
His other plus point is
this that he was always a decent player not hurting nor playing rough, he was a
speedy centre forward. For one mighty
team of Candolim in late sixties we all three brothers played together, the
other brother of mine was the late Josemarie of Sesa.
Abut 15 days before the Opinion Poll he went to Bhopal
along with the Goa Polce team to participate in the all India Police tournament
held at Bhopal. While playing against
Maharastra he scored two beautiful goals and played very well. Immdiately
after the final whistle, the Team manager of Maharastra a ranking Police Oficer
told my brother now not to go back to
Goa but come with them to Bombay as they want to induct him in their team since
after 2 weeks Goa will be surely merged officially with Mharastra, as per the
intelligence report. When my brother said no, the Maharastrian Officer laughed
at my brother saying even if you refuse now we will legally bring you to
Maharastra after 15 days when Goa surely will be a part of Maharastra.
May his soul rest in
peace AND may the Heavenly God give courage for his both the children Conny and Muller, grand children, brothers and sisters and all other family members to bear this loss.
A.Veronica Fernandes.
