Bab Felicio Cardozo That was how everyone of his colleagues greeted him , when I was head of Rosary High School Navelim ,between 1982-84
I too followed the tradition and used the same salutation, as he was much more senior and respectful individual, but very courteously, humbly requested me to call him as Felicio, but I preferred to call him Felicio Bab, as he richly deserved this courtesy during my stay there. The memories came to me in flood and torrent ,forcing me to recall his characteristic personality with sincere admiration. The topic GUJ awards for excellence in Journalism for 2012-18.For the very first time, I am conscious of award in Journalism in memory and honour of late Felicio Cardoz for Environmental Journalism, which is a well reasoned move to perpetuate his memory He was always respectful to the authority, reserving his right to express dissent and not for once displayed arrogance of experience or seniority or his privileged position as an outstanding freedom fighter. He was not holding mandatory training qualification, which was relaxed by Education Department. His classes were lively with interaction with students in a relax setting .He did not follow the formal teaching methods. It was his opinion, as he confided in me that he would discontinue, if students were not in the mood . I silently avoided any comments on his approach of formal accepted methods .In my personal conversation, I understood that he was Chief moderator and also head of paper setting in Konkanni over the years. He was also on Goa Board syllabus and book writing in Konkanni as an expert. I quietly scrutinized his record, results in Kon Subject at SSC over past years and was pleasantly surprised that for 5 times the students of RHS had topped the board in Konkanni. There were no failures inKonkanni . It was an enviable record. On Teachers day , presented him with recognition for the first time and he was surprised and humbled at this gesture. I persuaded him in vain to accept his rightful due of FF pension. and institute an award in Konkanni at RHS Navelim. Accepting it for any noble purpose would defeat his principle of not availing it, he said.. He had his own views, beliefs of forcing religious activities on any one .He refrained from accompanying students to Church on First Friday Eucharistic celebration , After much persuasion ,he did relent much against his convictions and his acceptance,presence helped to maintain discipline and sent a silent message, especially to all vulnerable, impressive young minds .In my tenure a Head in 10 DSE schools I have not encountered Kon teacher, who has risen above the shoulders of Felicio Bab and matched his records or status he held., In his incarceration in prison he used prison term to educate himself. There was no formal training in Konkanni as at present and still he had his head high in all humility. His personal experience of treatment of prisoners was very distressful and humiliating treatment, which he recounted to students on Goa liberation day. He was also deputed as guest speaker on Goa Liberation day One day he suddenly requested me to accompany him on a visit to a College, much against my principles He introduced me to Principal Malar of Law College, who handed me a receipt of admission to first year of 3 years of part time LL.B course, the fees having been paid by him. It was his gift to me he said and not refundable. I did not know how to react, as it was for once intended to pursue such a course. Besides it was a school with 26 divisions in secondary section , in addition to Primary and pre Primary responsibility My experience as Headmaster was just 3 years, I was wondering how I will manage studies with a task at hand. I realized Felicio Bab had more faith in me in my abilities perhaps I had in myself and I pursued it with all seriousness, From second and third year without attending a single day, I was ranked second in class, in the second year and granted an award too. I owe my LL.B qualifications to his vision and goal for me. On retirement I worked as legal practitioner for a limited period and enjoyed the diversion. I do not know how to ever record my gratitude and appreciation even to this day He was also a journalist of repute and Editor of Konkanni daily, He influenced me to write and translated it for publication in Konkanni His humility is admirable with all his achievements as a teacher par excellence, a self educated educator, a journalist of repute an Editor, and a worthy human being and never flaunted his role as F F. He remained a bachelor and a passed away in a tragic accident BAB FELICIO CARDOZ leaves indelible, memories entombed in our hearts and minds ReplyForward <https://drive.google.com/u/0/settings/storage?hl=en> <https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/terms/> <https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/> <https://www.google.com/gmail/about/policy/>