Very sad indeed to hear the news of Fr. Almeida's passing away. Just about a
month ago, I got his book on learning Konknni. It will remain a sad reminder of
a man I knew quite well and also had a chance to exchange views on Konknni and
other matters during over meetings in Goa and in Toronto.
He was always accommodating during my visit to the institute, giving me his
valuable time to chat.
During his visit to Toronto many years ago, I took him around the city and also
to the Goan Overseas Association's Viva Goa event. He stayed with his nephew in
Scarborough.
I have written earlier on this forum on his telling me that Prof. Joaquim
Antonio Fernandes's booklet, Nad Xastr, had "structural" deficiencies. He said
then that he was compiling a book on grammar that has been out.
True, he was simple and a very lovable person. His change of stance from being
an advocate of Devnagiri Konknni to Romi Konknni was something that surprised
me. But, I believe, scholars too change with the times. I think he held both
scripts in equal respect. What mattered most to him was the development of
"standard" Konknni.
His efforts have not gone to waste. It perhaps fuelled the renewed demand we
see now in Goa to have Roman script given official recognition.
If and when it happens it would be a triumph for his tireless work in
standardization of Romi Konknni. If his book will be accepted in ditto as a
textbook for schools teaching Romi Konknni or if a new one is developed which,
I believe, would borrow from his book,
it would be a lasting memory of his work.
Like his fellow Jesuit, the late Fr. Antonio Fernandes, Fr. Mathew kept the
Jesuit tradition, now carried on ably by Fr. Pratap Naik, to enrich Konknni
through their writings.
May be continue to bless Konknni from High Above.
Eugene Correia
