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CONDOLENCE MEETING IN KUWAIT FOR DIOGO A. D’SOUZA.
On 3rd of this month in Kuwait City at Hotel Village Inn, Kuwait Konknni
Kendr organized a condolence meeting for Mr. Diogo A. D’Souza who died on
3rd of January this year at his home place, Tivim Goa. The meeting was
attended by all the members of KKK and well wishers of Diogo A. D’Souza.
Mr. Diogo as he was popularly known in Kuwait and Goa was one of the founder
members of KKK and till his retirement from Kuwait about 4 years back he as
an executive body member of KKK was actively involved in the promotion of
KKK activities to further the cause of Konkani. During his stay in Kuwait
for about 35 years he acquired deep knowledge of Goan activities in Kuwait.
As a true son of Goa he had great love for Konkani the mother tongue of
Goans. In order to promote the cause of Konkani under the umbrella of KKK
and even before the formation of KKK he was actively involved in the
promotion of Konkani cause in Kuwait. To promote the cause of Konkani and
Goa he underwent lot of sacrifices financially and otherwise and faced lot
of difficulties from the enemies of Goa and Konkani. As a senior member of
our community he was a guiding factor for the KKK cause and always used his
wisdom in right direction. In his death Konkani and Goa lost a great son.
Such genuine sons of Goa and Konkani are rarity now-a-days.
During the meeting all the speakers highlighted the good work that Diogo did
from Kuwait for the good cause. Elvino Rodrigues the president of KKK in
his speech described how important Diogo was for KKK and Konkani stressing
upon the salient features of Diogo’s contribution while Alexandre M.
Fernandes who was very much instrumental in the promotion of Konkani cause
since 1978 described unique contribution of Diogo towards the cause of Novem
Goem Konkani Daily which came into being from the funds collected in Kuwait
– about 5 lakhs -. In order the raise funds for this cause in Kuwait Novem
Goem Pratishtan Kuwait Somiti was formed and Diogo was one of the executive
members of this committee having great stalwarts of Goan community. Such
stalwarts are also rarity amongst us now-a-days. Alexandre also stressed on
the good work Diogo did in helping the cause of direct flight from Dabolim
to Kuwait. Fidelis Fernandes the president of Konkani Heritage Kuwait in his
speech highly applauded KKK for organizing such a meeting to mourn the death
of their member and went on saying that such a meeting was never held
before. He also said many members of some of our existing Goan associations
and clubs have died and gone un-noticed inspite of putting in good efforts
in promoting their clubs activities but KKK does not fall into that
category. He also said KKK must keep up the good work that they have been
doing for such a long time and such work should be the testimony for the
memory of Diogo A. D’Souza. Luis Cardoso executive body member of KKK in
his brief speech deplored the sudden death of Diogo and said KKK has
succeeded in doing so many projects in favour of Konkani and Goa because of
the enormous and selfless efforts Diogo put in. Rosary Ferns another
executive body member of KKK expressed his deep sense of sorrow over the
sudden and untimely death of Diogo whom he always treated as his guru.
Mario Rebello yet another executive body member of KKK conducted a short
prayer for the repose of Diogo’s soul and requested the gathering to observe
a minute silence as a sign of respect. A. Veronica Fernandes compered the
proceedings. Renowned Konkani Stage artiste Mr. Sylvester Vaz who is just
come to Kuwait for employment rendered a very beautiful Konkani religious
song with his mellifluent voice.
TO KEEP HIS MEMORY ALIVE, KUWAIT KONKNNI KENDR AS ANNOUNCED IN THE MEETING
DECIDED TO GIVE ANNUAL AWARD FOR ANY KONKANI LOVER/PROMOTER FROM ANY PART OF
INDIA. The award will carry a fat purse in Indian rupees annually. More
details of this Diogo Memorial Award will be given later.
Earlier in this forum I gave a full sketch of Diogo A. D’Souza when he
retired from Kuwait. The readers I am sure will very well remember a year
back having read in this forum my article on the very sad and sudden death
of Diogo’s son Derek who expired at Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital in Kuwait,
his body was flown to Goa and interred at his home place cemetery. When his
son Derek died according to available information Diogo was deeply shocked.
It was a very shocking news for the family members of Diogo to receive one
more shock within a year. I was in Goa when Diogo died, on 2.1.03 I was at
his place exchanging lot of news and pleasantries with him till 12.00 at
noon. When I left from his place, I promised him to see him again the next
day. Unfortunately the next day never came for him as he died at 12.00
midnight leaving behind his wife Winney, daughter Doreen, Son-in-Law Piety,
Daughter in-law Valli and the only grand daughter Daniela that is the
daughter of late Derek. I know it is a big shock for the family members to
accept and face two deaths one after the other within a short period. I
hope and pray to God to give them courage to accept these tragedies. May
the soul of Diogo rest in peace.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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