Dear Augusto, I had sent you (and GRN) earlier the the first article in the series. But shall append it here again. Yes he is the same Felix who writes Konkani in Roman script, a regular contributor to GULAB and THE GOAN REVIEW. He is from Quitula, Aldona.
Regards, Sebastian Borges >From the Cradle of Konkani history: 1 Fausto V. da Costa What is Historiography? Does it mean writing about only those things of which one is aware? It cannot be denied that Historiography involves a lot of research, a meticulous and painstaking exercise to unearth and bring to light facts which may not all be in the public domain. But, in recent years, the term is being interpreted as an effort to write about only those events and happenings one personally knows, only about persons one likes while ignoring those one does not, and generally blow one's own trumpet. In fact there has been an active attempt to twist history to fit one's own agenda; this is specifically in regard to the history of Konkani language and the Konkani Tiatr. Let us bear in mind that, in effect, what is today being recorded as history is a falsification of History, a diabolical attempt at suppressio veri suggestio falsi. When the next generation comes to use this hodgepodge as reference material and bases its writing on this "history" could we blame them? Have these historiographers pondered over this aspect? Keeping this in mind, we are bringing out a roll of persons who have sincerely contributed to the progress of Konkani and who have been, deliberately or otherwise, ignored or neglected. We do not rule out the possibility of shortcomings even in this writing of ours. But we are of the firm opinion that facts, in their proper perspective, must be truthfully recorded. Therefore, we humbly request our knowledgeable readers to point these defects and also provide any additional relevant information, in their possession or knowledge, about these personalities so that proper amends could be made. Letters/articles in this regard would be much appreciated. Prof. Armando Menezes (1902-1983) Prof. Armando Menezes was an eminent son of Goa. He was an Educationist extraordinaire. Born in Divar, Goa on 11th May, 1902, he contributed immensely to the field of education. As a teacher, he shouldered several responsibilities with distinction. He was Professor of English both at Bombay and Dharwad. He was a Principal of a College too. His contribution to the field of Konkani language is enormous. After the Liberation of Goa, the Government of India appointed him Member secretary of the Goa Education Commission. Based on the recommendations of this Commission, the Government of India conferred a special status on the regional language of Goa. Prof. Menezes was a co-founder of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Bombay in association with Shenoy Goembab, Fr. H.O.Mascarenhas, Bakibab Borkar, Adv. Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag etc. And in 1942, he became its first President . The same year Prof. Armando functioned as the President of the Third Session of the All India Konkani Conference which was held first time in Bombay wherein Shenoy Goembab functioned as the Chairman of the Reception Committee. Prof. Menezes was the father of the noted writer George Menezes. He expired in Mumbai on 2nd June 1983. Valerian Cardinal Gracias (1900-1978) Hailing from Goa's Dramapur village in Salcete, Valerian Gracias was born at Karachi on October 23, 1900. He went on to become the first Indian Archbishop of Bombay on December 4, 1950; then on Jan. 12, 1953, he became the first Indian to be anointed Cardinal. He was awarded Padma Vibushan in 1966. The Goregaon Seminary, which celebrates it's golden jubilee this year, is one of his dreams that came to fruition. He has voluminous literature in English to his credit; he has also edited some periodicals. "Cardinal Gracias Speaks" and "To Revive Old Memories" are two of his well-known works. He was an accomplished orator and preacher. In order to hear his sermons, people would secure their seats even one hour in advance. Crowds would throng to his "Three Hours' Agony" on every Good Friday. His contribution to Konkani literature is immense. He had great love for his mother tongue. He would end his Good Friday sermon in English at Cross maidan with a 15 minutes long oration in Konkani. He would not only attend tiatrs but also encourage the artistes by personally meeting them. He once told C. Alvares that social and moral messages are conveyed to the people through tiatrs more easily than through priests' sermons. Cardinal Gracias had great affection for "Dor Mhoineachi Rotti." In 1950-51, he brought the periodical and its editor, Fr. Elias D'Souza from Karachi to Bombay. But the "Rotti" could not be run officially with Fr. Elias as the editor because he was a Portuguese citizen. Therefore, Msgr. Orfino de Sa was named the de jure editor whereas the de facto editor continued to be Fr. Elias. He also encouraged Konkani-knowing seminarians to write for Rotti. Fr. Elias became very sick. He did recover from a grievous illness, but he did nor regain his original vigour. He was medically advised not to undertake onerous duties. Thus "Rotti" had to close down.... Just then Goa was liberated from the Portuguese. Fr. Charles Gomes (later Bishop of Ahmedabad, hailing from Saligao) who was also born and brought up in Karachi and a great friend of Gracias was then the Jesuit Provincial of the Goa-Poona Province; he too had great love for "Rotti." Together they decided to take the "Rotti" to Goa and thus handed it over to Fr. Moreno D'Souza who then ran it for 42 long years. He also started a Konkani weekly, "Udentechem Nekhetr" under the aegis of the Archdiocese of Bombay, The first editor of this weekly was Fr. Teofleos Lobo (from Colvale). He was followed by Msgr. George Fernandes (from Calangute, brother of Dr. Simon C. Fernandes) and Msgr. Ayres Fernandes (from Siolim). Cardinal Gracias worked with determination to keep this weekly going. The Fifth session of the All-India Konkani Parishad held in Bombay in 1952 was inaugurated at the hands of Cardinal Gracias. Cardinal Gracias breathed his last on September 11, 1978 at the age of 78 years, a victim of cancer. He is interred in the Holy Name Cathedral, Wodehouse, Colaba. --- On Sun, 19/12/10, augusto pinto <pinto...@gmail.com> wrote: > From: augusto pinto <pinto...@gmail.com> > Subject: Re: Fw: Konkani History > To: "Sebastian Borges" <s_m_bor...@yahoo.com> > Date: Sunday, 19 December, 2010, 11:25 PM > Dear Prof Borges, > > What was the first article in the series?? > > The portion where you write the following interested me: > > "After him, the same column in The Goa > Times" > was continued > by > Felix P. da Cruz alias Anand Kristdas. > > Vaz had > two otherin famous > Goans as classmates in St. > Xavier's College: > > Cancer Specialist Dr. > Ernest Borges and world-famous > journalist Frank > > Moraes; they were > referred to as "Three Musketers" by > their > colleagues and > > teachers." > > I know Felix D'Cruz from Ranoi or is it Quitula in Aldona > who writes > extensively in the Roman Script. > > Is he the same chap?? > > Cheers > Augusto > > > Sebastian Borges
