The Government of Goa has finally agreed in principle to restore the over 140 years old House of “Pai Tiatrist” late Joao Agostinho Fernandes, Behind Holy Spirit Institute, Modsai , Margao, Salcete, Goa .
It may be noted that on Saturday, 3rd September, 2011 morning when the senior citizen (78 years) Ana Maria Carolina Quadros Fernandes wife of late Antonelio (Tony) Fernandes (tiatrist) and daughter-in-law of late Joao Agostinho Fernandes alongwith her daughter Sharmila besides her two minor children Sonali and Sannil woke up they were dumbfounded seeing that a guava tree lay uprooted and had fallen on the rear side of their kitchen damaging over a dozen tiles of the roof. Unfortunately this incident occurred apparently as a result of gusty winds late Friday night and as a result of the incessant rains the State has been witnessing in the recent past. It may be recalled that earlier on Souls Day on 2nd November 2009 a similar collapse occurred of a part of the wall on the Western side of the House. The RS MP Mr Shantaram L Naik who has been taking keen interest in the restoration of this House and preserved for posterity ( in keeping with the desire of late Jooa Agostinho Fernandes in whose name the 1150 seater AC Indoor auditorium of Ravindra Bhavan at Margao is named ) visited the same and had then inspected the damage caused to the House The CM Mr Digamber Kamat had then later in a press briefing also agreed to the restoration of the House . Following this Mr Gerard Da Cunha a renowned architect had drawn plans free of cost for the restoration of the House. The INTACH Director New Delhi Prof R C Agarwal too visited the House and recommended it as a fit case for restoration given the contribution of late Joao Agostinho Fernandes to the cause of "tiatr" from this humble abode in Margao. Incidentally Ms Fernandes speaking to this writer telephonically informed that on the eve of the 64th death anniversary (29.08.2011) of late Joao Agostinho Fernandes they had vide letter dated 27th August, 2011 appealed to the Hon'ble CM, MP RS, President TAG, President Dalgado Konkani Academy and President Goa Konkani Academy to pursue the issue of restoration of this House expeditiously owing to its vulnerability to the vagaries of the monsoons. She further added that some well meaning persons contacted the Collectorate officials from the Disaster Management Cell at the Collectorate South Goa when the collapse occurred but apparently with the week long Ganesh Chathurti holidays none were available to ascertain the damage. . The of foursome have been living in a state of trauma as they fear the worst if the rains continue unabated. Meanwhile the Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha Shri Shantaram L Naik who is presently in New Delhi owing to the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament in a telephonic conversation conveyed to this writer that he had this morning had a telephonic conversation with the Chief Minister of Goa Shri Digamber Kamat following the reports in the Press of this incident and they have agreed to finally restore the House. Shri Shantaram L Naik further stated that he would put in his financial contribution from the Central Government kitty while the Government of Goa would contribute their share after working out the modalities under the Disaster Management Relief Fund. The District Magistrate & Collector South Goa District Mr Sandip Jacques who spoke to this writer telephonically also confirmed having been directed to work out the modalitiies for the repairs and restoration. Afinal decision via a resolution will be expected in the coming days. At long last the Konkani playwright community have reason to cheer that both the MP Mr Shantaram L Naik and the Chief Minister of Goa Mr Digamber Kamat have stood by their commitment on this score. This coming on the 50th year of Goa Liberation Day and incidentally today 6th Septenber, is 455th anniverary of Asias first printing Press set in Old Goa by the Jesuit fathers. GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) gonsalvesgodfre...@yahoo.co.in