HARD CORE GOAN COMMUNALISTS ANTI-DR.JACK SEQUEIRA

This is in response to the news item in the local daily Herald on 23.01.19,  “Is Dr. Jack Sequeira  discriminated because of his religion?” Yes, I feel so.  On 19.12.61 constitutionally Secularism was born in Goa but practically communalism came forcefully in which both the major communities indulged in, one openly with more ferocity while the other silently being at receiving end having no other choice.

On 17.12.61 in the evening one Mr. Esso  from Orda Candolim when came to know Indian Millitary  is already entered Goa, near the Candolim Church he jumped in the air shouting loudly and running home saying, “atam amchem raj zatelem, tumkam ami kitem tem dakoitele etc” that means now it will be Esso's community that will rule Goa and then we will show you - meaning my community, what we can do to you.  While on the next day one Goldsmith near Candolim Tinto asked the Catholics mockingly “where is your Forsulo gone now while his relative asked where is your Antulo now?” For St. Francis Xavier he made an ordinary  Forsulo while for St. Anton he made Antulo without any due respect to both these Saints.  Gradually, the big family of that Goldsmith disappeared from this earth like ether while the Goldsmith died a miserable death. There is no family member even to stay in his house, so much so, even cats and rats too deserted that house.

The one who was mocking at St. Anton by saying Antulo was shamelessly going to Siolim Church every Tuesday to pray and ask from St. Anton, what? forgiveness? I don’t know but one of his close relatives was found selling “Kaddio – Boddio” during the Novenas for the feast of St. Francis Xavier at Old Goa.  These traitors want St. Francis and St. Anton to make money by selling Kaddio-Boddio otherwise these Saints are mocked at. But they forget that the power of God is more powerful than everything else on this planet.

 

The MGP was born mainly out of revenge against Christians and to diminish their influence in Goa by marginalizing them. When they came to power in the first election even government jobs mainly on important places were clandestinely denied to Christians. In Portuguese School in my village some non-Christian colleagues of mine started looking at us as if we are second class citizens because of our religion. This impression was inculcated in their young and raw minds by their elders at their home places. Those who were very close to us during the Portuguese regime from the majority community suddenly remained far from us as if we were Jews in Naziland. Externally everybody claimed to be a secular but internally a big NO. 

To cite one more justification to my  answer, the denial of Chief Ministership to Francis D’Souza (Mapusa MLA) is a concrete proof of how BJP practiced religious discrimination.

Though  there were many Hindus who worked  hard to win the Opinion Poll for Goans yet Dr. Sequeira was the tallest among all of them in all respects making him the “de facto” leader. In fact there was not a single leader among the Hindus at that time with the stature of Dr. Jack Sequeira.  As a matter of fact all the Hindu leaders who helped the victory of Opinion Poll were “kichddi” leaders, they were just regional and parochial having no acceptance all over Goa but Dr. Jack Sequeira was accepted as the leader by all over Goa, if not then at least by more than all others.

Those who try vociferously to deny major credit to Dr. Jack Sequeira for the victory of Opinion Poll, from the language and the tone of their language, it looks that they are not against Dr. Jack Sequeira but they are against the religion of Dr. Jack Sequeira.  These people are very good in vomiting their anger without any shame, not only on Dr. Jack Sequeira and his religion now only but it started in December, on 19^th, in 1961.  Their ambition is to liquidate the religious community of Dr. Jack Sequeira because they are jealous. Otherwise, they know within themselves that Dr. Jack Sequiera was the major architecht of the victory of Opinion Poll though officially he was not elected nor selected nor voted as the leader of anti-mergerists. But people knew that he had that charisma and qualities to become the leader of anti-mergerists and besides him no other person. For this reason overwhelming majority of Goans especially the antimergerists including those so called "kichddi" leaders who are now trying to belittle Dr.Jack Sequiera's importance had given their allegiance to Dr. Jack Sequeira if not externally then at least internally. With communal mind set up they are roaring now like Tigers against Dr. Jack Sequeira but during the time of Opinion Poll they were like cockroaches in front of Dr. Sequeira.

 When the Opinion Poll result was known, a huge crowd of anti-mergerists gathered at Dr. Sequeira's place and more were coming to congratulate him. Then and there only they accepted and agreed to declare that Dr. Jack Sequeira was the FATHER OF OPINION POLL and at that moment only they took a procession around Panjim with Dr. Sequeira leading the procession. Some of the fake Lions who are now raising their voices against Dr. Sequeira's contribution were also a part of this procession. 

Finally, let me make a firm statement thru this forum in this article that "THESE ANTI DR. JACK SEQUEIRA CAMPAIGNERS WILL NEVER GIVE US PEACE OF MIND. THIS IS NOT AN END BUT MANY SUCH CAMPAIGNS WILL COME UP AND WE SHOULD BE BOLDLY AND TRUTHFULLY FACE AND COUNTER THEM".

A.Veronica Fernandes.

NEW TIATRO "TANNE MHAKA OBHIXEK((annoited) KELO" BY VALENCY D'SOUZA.

WELL  SCRIPTED TIATRO BY A YOUNG GIRL VALENCY D'SOUZA FROM CALANGUTE AND VERY WELL DIRECTED BY MICHAEL JUDE GRACIAS, WITH ALL THE SIDE SHOW SONGS AND CANTOS TOO(COMPOSED)  BY HIM ONLY

Script writer Valency sings her solo

On Monday, 28^th of this month, almost at 8.30 PM instead of at 7.30 PM as officially announced, I saw the first and the inaugural Show of the new Tiatro “TANNEM MHAKA OBHIXEK KELA”.  It was written by the young and energetic girl, the Stage artiste Valency D’Souza from Calangute known all around the globe for its beautiful Beach with silvery sand and directed by Michael Jude Gracias who is the well – known writer/journalist, editor, actor, playwright and a renowned Tiatrist.  He also is the composer of all the Side Show Songs including the “Cantos”. It was staged in the Church Compound at Santa Cruz (Kalafura) and attended by a very good number of attendees.

Seen on front raw with the audience areTiATRISTS Josephine and Martha

Seen on the Stage from left: Prince Jacob - Fr. Raymond Godinho - local Pe. Vigar Fr. Alexandre Pereira - writer of the drama Valency D'souza & Direcotr of the Tiatro Michael Jude Gracias.

This Tiatro is a spiritual presentation based on the pastoral letter 2018-19 of Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao. The special attendee for this Tiatro was the director of Diocesan Catechetical Center – Old Goa, Fr. Raymond Godinho.  Fr. Alexandre Pereira the local Pe. Vigar also attended this Show. Since the story is based on Biblical teachings and we are almost in the Lent season, people must not miss the opportunity to see this spiritual enactment where some of the biblical quotations are beautifully enacted.

                                        Seen in this scene are Jacinto - Diana & Meena      
              

Seen above in yet another scene are M.Jude Gracias & Prince Jacob

The story revolves around one Call Girl whose indulgence in this trade is so deep because of the lust for money showered on her by her Pimp Boss whose role excellently performed by Jose while that of the Call Girl by the script writer Venesly D’Souza. Finally due to the efforts of  one Cathechist whose role beautifully played by Michael Jude Gracias and one priest whose role was most appropriately and of course wonderfully played by Prince Jabob, she surrenders to the  command of God.

Seen above in yet another scene are Wenesley & Jose

Seen singing a duo by Lucian and Jose

The others who played their roles well were Jacinto as drunkard, veteran and seasoned artiste Diana, Meena and Fr. Eusico as Jesus Christ. Others too played their roles well to make this Tiatro a great success, thanks to the efforts of director not to leave a stone unturned to achieve this success.

Seen singing a duet by Meena & Francis Rebello

Seen above scene is Fr. Eusico doing the role of Jesus Christ.

Beautiful lady  Lourdes sings a beautiful song, a solo

The comedy role  was played well by young new comer Raymond whose comedy role was admirable,  He was at times well assisted by Diana, Meena and Jacinto.  On the horizon of comedy, one more comedian is born in Raymond who dished out decent comedy without any vulgarity.

Jude Gracias & Fr. Eusico sings  a duo. 

                                          Singing a duet by Lourdes and Fr. Eusico 

The Side Show consists maninly on songs related to morality and spiritualism without any “Zupatti” nor politics. Those who excelled in this segement were Lourdes, Valency, Jude, Fr. Eusico, Luciano, Francis Rebello, Meena and others.

Seen in one of the scenes are Valency & Prince Jacob

Seen above in one more scene are comedian  Raymond

Musical score was well provided by Saby Moraes and his troupe.

A.Veronica Fernandes

THE WELL-KNOWN GOAN MUSICIAN PETER RODRIGUES.

THE RENOWNED GOAN MUSICIAN PETER RODRIGUES FROM CANDOLIM.

Seen above is Peter Rodrigues with his Saxophone

The village Candolim was known to produce some of the finest musicians in Goa, they learnt this skill of playing music from the Parochial (Church) school starting from the Church Choir Master Agostinho D’Souza who was the Professor of my father, Alexinho de Candolim, Dioginho Vaz, Gonsales Bostiao and many more of that era.  In one of his songs in praise of his Professor Agostinho D’Souza, his renowned student Alexinho de Candolim sings thus:

Konnuch volkonastana aschenant bhavani hangasor

Agostinho de Souza Candolim igorjecho Professor

Mistirpon tanne choloilem vorsam Cheallis bhor

Bharkaen tachem jivit ami niallun pollet tor

Bharikuch aslo khoro pun xinkop tachem chodd vhodd

Tachea hathan kitle xinkon zalet Band Mastor

Kantorist sadoitat Stage ani Igorzanche Kor

Derrepent melo babddo Saiba Sorg taka favo khor.

That was the great eulogy the great Tiatrist Alexinho de Candolim made of his Teacher. The words are so measured and so appropriate that I, doubt any other Tiatrist could compose such a beautiful song. That was the greatness of Alexinho de Candolim on whom the great educationist of Goa and also the great Principal of St. Joseph’s High School Arpora, Fr. Philiph Neri Mendonca passed a remark thus: “Oh my goodness ! What Alexinho de Candolim !!  If this man had a little more educational background he would be a genius”.

Peter is seen above playing his Saxophone

Overwhelming majority of Candolim Musicians were the products of local Parochial School which was closed somewhere in mid Sixties and thus came the end of producing Solfist Musicians from Candolim Church School and thus losing the earlier beauty and grandeur the Church Choir had under the Choir Masters.  Now there is no Church Mestiri to teach how to sing in the Church nor to teach Solfas thus among Candoikars producing NO SOLFIST MUSICIANS.  Some of the beautiful musical works of the Church recorded with Solfas are no more in existence now for our current and future generations.  This is how the beautiful Motets are gone into extinction from our Churches. I hope our Church authority at Altinho, Panjim will do something to revive the old system in our local Churches.   This should be done with the employment of  a Mistiri for every Church in Goa and with the help of his knowledge of Solfas he will surely give a bright look for our Church Choir.  Money should not be a problem, every Sunday every village Church is collecting so many thousands of rupees from where a portion can be allocated as salary for the Mistiri.

The last topmost Solfist Musician Trumpeter of Candolim was the late Andre Cursino a powerful member of the “Merry Makers” Band while the late Maestro  Isidore the father of Tiatrist Young Menezes rattled Goa with his top efficiency in playing music on Solfas.  His favourite instrument was Doublebass.

Peter is seen at extreme left

However, in Candolim now the lone top solfist musician who carry forward the tradition of Candoicars as the best musician is none other than Peter Rodrigues from Pintos Vaddo, who by being a member of Chris Perry’s troupe playing the important instrument Saxophone for the Musical Show (Tiatro) “Nouro Mhozo Devchar” written, composed and directed by Chris Perry, created a strong impact of his musical prowess when Chris Perry with Lorna and others staged the said Tiatro in Bombay and in Goa in April, 1971. Our Candoicar musician was the strong member of Chris’ troupe playing with Chris the most important instrument Saxophone. However, much before this Tiatro, Peter Rodrigues was already a member of Chris Perry’s Band playing at various occasions at various places in Bombay.

Peter Rodrigues learnt to play music at an early age under the guidance of his musician father who was during those days one of the best musicians in Bombay.  Peter Rodrigues attained the perfection in playing Violin at the age of 10 in Bombay where he  developed his musical skill under his father who took lot of care to train his son appropriately well. Some of the members in the family of Peter Rodrigues were very good musicians including his father the late Joaquim Luis Rodrigues who got great distinction of playing in the Orchestra of Zubin Mehta and in Bollywood Films. Being a humble man, his father never aspired for self glory and pompousness of his profession. Being a strict disciplinarian, his father never touched the Drinks but unlike many in the profession remained Teetotaler throughout his life.

 

                                          Peter is seen playing Saxophone for IFFI in 2009

Though music was his first love yet Peter took it as a hobby  and never survived on music to earn his daily bread.  This daily bread he earned thru his permanent job elsewhere as a professional in Bombay.  After a few years in Bombay he was recruited to Bahrain  and returned to Bombay in 1975 and till 1976 continued playing with various groups in Bombay. Later he  left Bombay on 20^th Nov. 1976 with Chris’ Band for Jumairah Hotel, Dubai. He came to Goa for good in 1977.  In Goa he never remained idle but joined  groups that played for Hotels – Resorts – 5 Star Hotels including the Taj at Sinquerim and earned laurels for him.  In 2015 he started training the youngsters in music with Solfas and thus he trained so many students who with their knowledge of playing music with Solfas are happy.  This knowledge of music with Solfas is like the knowledge of international language which  can be used anywhere in the world.  Where Esperanto failed – the language of Solfas succeeded.

Having considerable knowledge of three instruments, namely Saxophone – Violin – Organ he still maintains the mastery over Saxophone which according to him fetched him monetarily as well as social gains. 

When questioned him, why we Goans now mainly the Catholics and especially the Candoicars inspite of having a great tradition of music are become orphans and so poor in this field, replied he “because our current generation is not ready to take pains to do the hard work and learn Solfas. The present music trend is not Solfas but sequencing (including miming and noise).  Music without Solfas is like a man without eyes”.   

A.Veronica Fernandes.

STOP CHEAT MIGRANT/BHAILE VOTERS FROM VOTING IN GOA.

The elections may be announced in Goa at any moment for the by-elections  or the Parliamentary or for the Goa Legislative Assembly in the aftermath of the dissolution of Assembly which looks to be a certainty.  However, the voting power of the Migrants will be powerful this time due to their numerical strength. In almost every Goan village there are settlements of migrants who are hoisted on Goa by the crook politicians as their vote bank thus ignoring the voice of genuine Goans.

These settlements are protected  by our politicians whose backbone are these non - Goan voters who are least bothered to analyse  the intricacies of the needs of Goans.  Hence, the migrant voters are  tools in the hands of candidates contesting the elections in their constituencies. These candidates distribute them currency notes in small denominations only which the migrants receive  it as if it is the big gifts. 

In my locality in the last election I noticed  how the Marie Antoinette from Panchayat was distributing ill-gotten cash money to the people in and around my area on behalf of the top  candidate.  This lady  a regular Church goer and recipient of the Holy Communion is not even ashamed to commit such corrupt practices to satisfy her boss who poured money like water.  The same boss will be ready this time too to spend bigger amount in bribing the migrant voters.

The Marie Antoinette and her boss may have an excuse saying the money they have distributed are for the charity purpose but if it is so, then why was it distributed during the election time only and why not at some other time? During the other time is it prohibited to do charity?   This indicates the ulterior motive of the distribution of this money which really looked to woo the voters to the election contesting candidates and thus gain the votes by the candidates.     

Many of these migrant voters are not permanent residents in Goa though they have  voting cards in Goa as well as in their own States.  During the Goa elections, their Goan candidates bring these voters  to Goa by special buses to vote for them and return them back immediately after they vote.  

In view of this, is there any way to stop this business of bringing hired electorates to Goa and also  to delete their names from the election roll in Goa?  By doing this chicanery these bloody rascal “Bhaile” voters are doing a great injustice and harm to Goa and Goans and as such they should be disfranchised by the election commission. Dual voting rights are given for dual citizens and since India does not allow dual citizenship, Indians are not allowed to vote for two places. Hence, the mockery of the voting rights India gives to its citizens should be properly taken care of.  Because of these rascal candidates and their stooges who vote for them, the whole exercise of democratic process of voting is become a farce allowing the idiots Altu – Faltu persons to gain the victory in the election while they are fit for nothing, not even cleaning the tables in the elected houses namely Panchayats and Legislative Assmebies or in the Parliament. 

Goa was known to have electoral democracy much before this Ghanttiachem Raj came into Goa and converted Goa into a “Bhaileanchem” raj who are the worst enemies of Goa and Goans, of course with the exception of a few.  By all means we the genuine Goans should not allow these bloody Bhaile to take a foothold in Goa by getting elected in our system becaue by being Bhaile they will always oppose the  good of genuine Goans. They must be treated as “Bhaile are Bhaile only”, they will always work against the interest of genuine Goans, of course with the exception of few, the Bhaile  will always be selfish using Goan resources legally or illegally to gain benefit for them.  Hence, we must be repulsive towards Bhaile either in our Panchayats or Legislative Assembly or in any other associations.  They will enter Goa like slaves but gradually become masters of Goa and Goans by using dirty tricks and satanic actions which they learnt in their dirty land outside Goa where they were born and developed otherwise they will never be able to build their business empires in Goa whch they built not from their hard earned money but thru cheating the people and extorting bribe from the public.  When we deal with the Bhaile we must always keep in our minds that we are dealing with the “Rostad Bamtte” who will oppose the Goans for speaking the truth and exposing the crooks.  Our enemy in Goa is none other than the “Bhaile” holding some sort of political power which they will use against us Goans. Hence, do not support “BHAILE”

A.Veronica Fernandes.

TIATRO "UZVADD TUCA DIUN" by MENINO DE BANDAR.

Candolim in the Church School Compound I saw the new Tiatro as titled above, written and directed by the well–known director Menino de Bandar who is also known as King of centuries whose record of staging more number of Shows still remained unsurpassed. Though the attendance was not to the capacity yet the Tiatro was good depicting the current events on family life where the director indicated how the modern day daughters-in-law due to their lust for extramarital life and a share in the family property  bring destruction on their married life. The roles of the two daughters-in-law namely Shamila and Lavina who are responsible to create a rift  and discord in their family were excellent but among all the role played by the veteran and seasoned artiste Annie Quadros of Grand Mother was superb, in fact she shouldered the major responsibility of the entire story with her appropriate vocabulary, perfect clarity of her expressions and her actions.  

One of the scenes

Menino de Bandar on his solo

I doubt there is anyone on Konkani Stage currently who can act the way  she acted. However, the only flaw to a bit extent was her dress code that is wearing of her luxurious Sarees in the first part that gave her more youthful looks when she should be just the opposite being the grand mother. As it is her looks and structure are youthful and by decorating her physique with these Sarees she looked more youthful. However, she deserved highest compliments for giving a strong booster to this Tiatro to raise its level to the pedestal.

Inacio Verdes on his solo

Another scene

The others who really brought laurels to this Tiatro was Maxy especially in the last scene when while concluding his delivery which was so beautiful and so well worded with so much of perfection, meaningful and flawless that the ending part becomes very interesting. Satyawan Tari also played his role well.

Yet another scene

In the comedy role all the tree comedians led by Humbert played their roles well but at one particular point while delivering his expression one of the comedians because of stammering looks giving different meaning of his expression which was not palatable.   Not to give a distorted meaning of the words it is better not to introduce such scenes in the Tiaatros. However, after the Tiatro I met many persons who attended this Tiatro and all of them confessed that they have enjoyed this Tiatro very much.  Since this Tiatro is in progress all over Goa, I don’t give the real story but leave it to the audience to go for this Tiatro and see for themselves and enjoy the story written so well by Menino de Bandar and so well enacted by all the artistes.

Ashton on his solo

Annie Quadros

A duet by Jose & his partner 

Special praises should be showered on the young girl Skyla who played her role of the grand daughter so beautifully at this so young age.  The director surely deserved a word of praise for training her so well.  Her title song was also well rendered.

One more scene

In the Side Show songs, the songs rendered by the director Menino de Bandar with his majestic personality, Ashton, Saby de Divar, Ron (all three on local politics) and Lavina on Vailankani were excellent deserving more compliments.

                                 Menino de Bandar presenting the Housie Prize to Vincente

The lone local artiste Inacio Verdes rendered a beautiful song on the late Fr. Victor who served the Parish of Candolim for a few years.  It was very interesting song liked by the audience.

Saby de Divar on his solo

While concluding I congratulate Menino de Bandar for this nice Tiatro and also his entire troupe including the musicians.

                                          Lovely Lavina seen singing her solo Vailankani

A word of appreciation to all those who tirelessly worked so hard to stage this Tiatro in Candolim because of whom the locals got a very good opportunity to see this Tiatro.  I hope they will continue on with showing more and more Tiatros for the Candoicars who are traditionally great lovers of Tiatros. And I also hope the local Church leaders the Pe. Vigar and Pe. Cur will give all their normal co-operation in this matter.     

A.Veronica Fernandes.                                                 

IT IS FOR YOU PE. VIGARS.

Recently, one person brought to my attention the ongoing fight  between the two catholic neighbours because of some property matter, this fight is now going on since last 11 years.  During this long period of court battle, both the parties have undergone lot of expenses totaling to lakhs of rupees, major portion of the money gone into the pockets of the advocates who being non-Christians are enjoying the fun between the two Catholics. Both the advocates of both the warring parties are not prepared to bring the case to the final conclusion because the first aim of these advocates is to see both the fighting parties disgrace the name of their religion thereby indicating to everyone that Catholics are the destructive people where they are ready to do any nonsense to satisfy their personal ego to gain materially even by destroying their own co-religionists and secondly to make their clients exhaust their financial resources and finally fall on the road.

My immediate response to this topic was this: “Go and tell the village Pe. Vigar who is doing nothing good for the Catholic community”.  These Pe. Viiagrs are fit to serve God only but not their fellow human beings.  This is not correct. The purpose of the priest is to stop the souls from going to the Hell by preventing the Catholics from committing the sins.  The fight between the two neighbours indicated above is surely leading them to Hell and hence Pe. Vigar will surely help them in this matter.

Further I said Pe. Vigar is duty bound as the fatherly figure by virtue of being Pe. Vigar not only pleading with them in the name of Christ as a spokesman for the Christ but also speak to them sternly to settle their property dispute amicably because Christian doctrine does not permit them to be belligerent.  The priests got lot of ideas to settle such disputes but many of them are not taking any pain to solve such problems.

I remember having read about 30 years back in Kuwait Times the living story in Brazil where in one particular area with the dynamic leadership of the local Pe. Vigar, all the locals joined together and agreed to withdraw all the court cases filed against one another and never in future to go to the court to settle their disputes, their disputes must be solved by their Pe. Vigar who enjoyed the allegiance of the locals being all Catholics. They openly said it is not right for one Catholic to fight against another catholic, it is even against their own religion.

I think we catholics are so shameless that we take pleasure in fighting amongst us only thru the Court. And many of our local Pe.Vigars and Pe. Curs are more shameless for being silent spectators to see these fights between Catholics and Catholics instead of directly stopping the warring parties, the priests are in place of Christ and as such they wield lot of spiritual power to educate the warring persons. It is time now for us to involve our local Pe. Vigars in our disputes and thru his goodwill we solve our problems.  No doubt many of our Pe. Vigars will be reluctant to involve themselves in such matters not because they are incapable to solve such problems but they want to lead a cozy life and doing things which are better suited to others.

For example, is it the job of the Pe. Vigar to devote his time in the school as Principal of the local Church School of Diocesan Society?  If he spends his major part of the day in the School then when he will do the work of the Pe. Vigar? 

The problem with our Pe. Vigars and Pe. Curs is that many of them are become worldly  leading them to be money conscious.  I know one Pe. Vigar was involved in buying and selling property and ready made Flats.  Is this the job of the priests?  When one’s mind goes on money and sex then one act selfish. Priestly robes are not meant for selfish people.

Secondly, I don’t know what our Samudai members are doing, They are dubbed as gossipers and useless people. They should have found out where are erring Catholics, where are the suffering catholics and who are the catholics who deserve top attention. And accordingly they should do something to eradicate the problems and disputes existing among the Catholics.

In my village only one Pe. Vigar, Pe. Nicholau Noronha in llate fifties and early sixties used to directly go to those Catholics fighting fighting court cases against eeach other and get their problems sorted out amicably in the name of Jesus Christ.

A.Veronica Fernandes.                

ARPORA SCHOOL SPORTS MEET.

Cibaria – Necessaria – Sumite – Et – Abite when translated from Latin it becomes: Take the necessary food and depart.

Seen at right seated is the Chief Guest Raymond D'Sa

That was the motto of the school then when it was established by Fr. Lyons a non Goan who got himself cured of his dreaded skin desease bcause of which he was thrown out of the Seminary where he was doing his priestly studies. When somebody told him to go to Goa where there are Springs whose curative water will cure you, he came to Goa and went to Sinquerim where after doing the needful he was cured.

Welcoming the Chief Guest with a Flower Bouquet.

Almost after quarter of a century I got an opportunity to witness the Sports Day of Arpora St. Joseph’s High School, where I studied up to my SSC  and won laurels for me during the School Meets by winning 100, 200, 400 & 800 mtres races and thereby winning individual Championship. Later on representing my School in the All Goa Inter-School Athletics Meets also winning individual Championship and even declaring as the fastest runner of  Goa. I am grateful to my Alma Mater for giving me so many opportunities in my life as a student  to develop myself not only in sports  but also in many other segments of my life.

Seen addressing the gathering is Fr. Urbano Menezes - Principal of the School.

 .

If  today what I am it is only because of the excellent discipline, coaching and guidance I got from my school. All my teachers were not only teachers for me but they were also fatherly figures to me, they were Gurus to me  and above all they were true friends to me.  I salute them all because they were sincere, devoted and genuine teachers. For this reason I still remember them. Of course those were the days of Fr. Mendonsa and Fr. Peter.

Seen above seated are 4 ladies - 2 at the right, one wearing the red dress, both compeered the proceedings beautifully with their charming mellifluent voices.

Who was Fr. Mendonca?  He was the great educationist interested in the development of Goan youth. Annual Sports Day of the school at Arpora was the greatest day for him and to make it successful he was devoting his more time. He would print Invitations and send to all his friends, ex-students, government officials and important personalities not only to those residing in the vicinity of the school but all over Goa. Separately he would make announcements thru the local media. The greatness of the Meet during Fr. Mendonca’s time surrounded on the Tableau of which type you don’t see anywhere in Goa now, leave aside at Arpora.  He used to display latest incidents and events taken place not only in Goa but all around the globe, the election of the Pope somewhere in 1959 was the most striking display.  The other was this: Somewhere in 1959 the renowned Portuguez  terrorist Galvao Pinto hijacked in the deep sea, off the Azores Coast, the Portuguez Ship Santa Maria  killing its Captain and creating havoc with the passengers.  This was very beautifully displayed by Fr. Mendonca.  

Seen is one section of the huge crowd attending the Meet.

The Chief Guest was none other than the ex-student of this great school, Raymond D’Sa who finished his Matriculation thru this school in  mid-fifties.  Raymond D’Sa was one of the best students of this school during his school days  excelling not only in studies but also in extracurricular activities and sports being his forte and even representing his school soccer team.  Then he went to Kuwait where he joined the prestigious Bank – The National Bank of Kuwait where he worked for about half a century and retired recently.  A father of 3 children all are based in USA and he settling down in Goa at Nagoa-Bardez in the absence of his beloved wife who expired a few years back in Kuwait, Raymond D’Sa’s love for Goa, Goan language Konkani, Goan culture, tradition, history, folk songs and folk tales is supreme.  

Seen above is the School building.

In Kuwait not only among Goans but even among Indians and other nationalities he earned name and fame for himself as a promoter of sports in Kuwait among the expatriates and promoting soccer was his unique especiality.  He was the founding president of one of the renowned Goan organisations the “GOAN OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION” that has created more ripples among Goans than anyother G.O.A. established by the overseas Goans.  Under his dynamic leadership which was based on his understanding carefully of the prevailing situation, patience and logic, he worked successfully as president for about 40 years.  G.O.A. Maroons was the renowned soccer team  of G.O.A. among the expatriates in Kuwait that was the force to reckon with for many years and this Goan team had a unique distinction of winning the “Forest of Dean RA” Throphy.  This team at that time played in the difficult conditions and time even at midnight and defeated all the hard opponents even from the Westerners.

Starting point of Hundred Metres race for boys.

As a president Raymond D’Sa whose craze and extreme love for soccer did everything within his capacity to help his boys to overcome all the hurdles to reach to the top and spent lot of money from his own pocket.  He was the most clean president among all the Goan presidents of Goan teams and associaitons. Besides, he was the unscandalised person among all the prominent Goans always preferring to be a simple, decent and unpompous.    He was even after shouldering the presidency of G.O.A. for such a lengthy period, never found committing a goof in his lengthy public life in Kuwait since the formation of G.O.A.Maroons by amalgamating two existing teams, one headed by Peter D’Souza and the other by Domnick Correia. 

Starting point for 100 metres race for Girls.

This man has got vast potentials to do something for Goa in different fields and he is still having his youthfulness, someone must avail of his talent and experience.  He worked as a high profile executive in the Bank holding the top managerial position of which type none of the Goans in Kuwait held.  He brought great honour for Goa and Goans.

One of the Drill items based on Yoga - all girls displaying their talent .

In his scholarly speech during the sports Meet, with his beautiful eloquence, appropriate vocabulary and perfect clarity he expressed the greatness of this school, his memory of those days’ Sports at Arpora and of course not forgetting Fr. Mendonca who brought honour, respect and dignity for this school. Will we ever get another Fr. Mendonca again?  I doubt, because such personalities comes in our society only once in centuries.

Seen above is Relay Race for girls in progress, 4 x 100 mtrs.

No doubt the level of sports was not as good as it was during my days but during my days we were different type of boys while currently they are like tiny tots dotted with innumerable Allappas, Chalappas, Bassappas.  The meet was well attended by a huge crowd of spectators. At the dais one could see occupying the strategic chairs by the Chief Guest, Principal of the School and Manager of the Meet Fr. Urbano Menezes, Head Master of the school Rodney Pereira and others.

Seen above is my teacher Lino D'Souza.

My nostalgic feelings aroused when I  stepped on the ground and especially when I met some of my old school colleagues and teachers especially Mr. Lino D’Souza from Guirim who was my teacher and the best friend, best guide and best tutor.

Seen above is one of the Drill items

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If I succeeded in finishing my SSC then it was partly because of him who was constantly after my studies knowing well that being the topmost athlete of Goa and one of the best foot-ballers of Goa representing the then mighty SESA GOA, I am having lot of obstacles.  Sir Lino, I am grateful to you for all what you have done to me.

The most dangerous item performed by the most courageous young boys. 

A.Veronica Fernandes.