Today was the AGM of A A de Moira. A new committee was elected which is lead by Oswald Cordeiro the Sarpanch of the village and a close associate of Glen Ticlo MLA, and has Marie Evonne as Vice President Thomas D'Gama as Secretary, etc .
I arrived late for the meeting - around the time the above dignitaries were already elected. By this time only the five remaining members of the committee were left to be elected. As I came into the hall someone - I think Francis Nazareth - proposed my name as a member. I laughed, "You propose my name - without my consent?" Francis replied,"You have no choice." Anyway, the election continued and there were about nine names including mine which were proposed for those member posts. What was to be done? Francis suggested that the President Oswald suggest which of those names he would like for his committee. Ossie declined to do this. Then Caetano Cardozo and Mark Cordeiro and Alex Menezes and one other whom I can't remember withdrew their names. That left 6 names and there were five names to be selected. Marshall was baying for an election to be conducted because time should not be wasted. Chairperson Philomena D'Cruz stated that she wanted to save time by having a consensus. Francis suggested that Ossie should choose those members who he wanted for his team. Wisely Ossie desisted. Ultimately the issue was solved because I said I wanted to withdraw from the election. Many people were disappointed. They wanted me to contest and lose and then crow: O look at this Associate Professor of Dempo College who can't even win a Moira club election! I'm sorry to disappoint them. Bah!! I may be a Moidekar because my house is here but remember that I am a Gaunkar or Sangolda - closely related in many ways to the Moidekars but not in their stupid ways. To conclude - although I have been a critic of Romeo Coelho and his wife Celina for a long time, I felt a bit troubled that the new Chairperson of the General Assembly or the new President did not think it fit to thank them for the services they have rendered to the club over the years. I particularly remember the years when Romeo and Celina came back from the UK and immersed themselves in the activities of the club. The club then was a hub of activity and Associacao Academica de Moira' Christmas programs were the pride of Moidekars and the envy of other villagers Why the scene changed I don't know but the least I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Coelho is that they left the club in a state where the club can march forward (although if people are not careful it could go down the drain.) Regards Augusto -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal Moira, Bardez Goa, India E pinto...@gmail.com P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350
