I am deeply saddened by the untimely deaths of our two esteemed Konkani
writers, Fr. Freddy D’Costa and Felicio Cardoso, whose works I always
admired. My condolences to their families, especially Fausto D’Costa! May
God grant them both eternal peace!
Silviano Barbosa (Canada)

goache@hotmail.com

FINAL ADIEU TO FR. FREDDY

PETER RAPOSO, S.F.X, pays a fitting tribute to the late Fr. Freddy D'Costa, doyen of Konkani literature and founder-editor of Konkani monthly`Gulab'.

THE LAST TIME some of us saw Fr. Freddy D'Costa, was on 12 th May at the T.B. Cunha hall in Panjim. The meeting which was called to demand patronage from the Government and Konkani institutions for Konkani writers and Konkani literature in the Roman script. Called on behalf of the Dalgado Konkani Academy by Fr. Freddy D'Costa, it was attended by Fr. Pratap Naik, Tomasinho Cardozo and others.

Fr. Freddy who chaired the proceedings gave no sign absolutely that it could be his last address to Konkani writers. On the contrary his usual enthusiasm, his plans for Konkani exuberated vibes of a person who was raring to go, a person who infused hope among Konkani writers in the Roman script especially the young writers who find themselves caught in the politics of Konkani scripts.

At the meeting Fr. Freddy who had a special interest for the development of Konkani, especially in the Roman Script made it amply clear that his move to demand support for Konkani in the Roman script should not be seen as a threat or a cause for division among the Konkani fraternity of Goa . In the same meeting he was appointed member of the core committee. Fr. Freddy maintained that unity among Konkani writers and the development of Konkani was of moot importance. With the tragic and untimely death of Fr Freddy, his dreams and plans to preserve and promote Konkani in Roman script have remained unfulfilled.

Family and friends gather to pay their final tribute.

He began his literary career at the age of ten with his first poem entitled Maim which appeared in Vavraddeancho Ixtt . From then onwards his contributions in the form of articles, poems and short stories to Vavraddeancho Ixtt , Rotti and Uzvadd were regular and consistent. His column named ‘Oxem mhaka Ievzota', that featured on Vavraddeanco Ixtt for many years was popularly read. In 1983 he started and edited Gulab , the most popular Konkani monthly magazine in the Roman script. This year Gulab entered its 23 rd year of pulication. His wish to carry it to its 25 th year will remain unfulfilled though.

The challenging and gutsy Fr. Freddy started and edited Goencho Avaz in 1989, a Konkani daily paper in the Roman script. It went on for one and half year and had to be closed due to finance and other professional difficulties which he humbly accepted. Adopting modern standards of journalism through the attractive, colour magazine Gulab and through Goencho Avaz , Fr. Freddy proved that people of Goa loved Konkani and expressed that this fervour of the people in Konkani literature and journalism had remained unexploited. Apart from writing in Konkani, he also contributed to English dailies and periodicals in Goa . The New Age Printers, the printing press in Verna started by him is another achievement that contributed to the development of Konkani literature and journalism.

Among the 11 books he authored in Konkani, Kanniam Zhelo, Utth Goemkara, Onit are some of the popular ones. Besides he wrote and published one-act plays called the Bap'pa series and a number of other tiatr , which include Devachi Khast, Niz Mog, Ghorabo, Utth Goemkara . An all rounder in art and culture, Fr. Freddy has even produced songs and Tiatr on audio cassettes. Some of his plays and talks were broadcast by AIR Panaji. In 1980 he received the ‘Man of the Year' award instituted by the President of Maharashtra Congress and in 1995 he received the Kulagar award.

Thus, to talk of the life of Fr. Freddy D' Costa without his contribution to the Konkani language would be unjust to both him and Konkani. His writings reflect the social concerns of Goan culture and society. And therefore to describe him as a writer or dramatist would not suffice. He was a socialist, a humanitarian who concretely worked for the social concerns of Goa . His tremendous contribution to the Konkani movement during the time of the Konkani agitation in 1998 may have been forgotten or unrecognized but it made a lot of difference and can never be ignored.

Apart from being a writer and a socialist, Fr. Freddy was a highly proficient priest. He was a dynamic priest. After teaching Konkani and Hindi in the Saligao Seminary for several years, and as Chaplain of Our Lady of Candelaria Chapel at Porvorim, Fr. Freddy served the Bambolim and Siridao Parish as Pastor. During his pastoral life, he gave no reasons to believe that he neglected his pastoral duties though he was immersed in various social and cultural activities. On the contrary he leaves behind an outstanding example to Pastors to break themselves from parochialism. He fulfilled his pastoral activities in ways that were new and creative. His mere presence would infuse life in the people who surrounded him. In Siridao, for example, he had organized more than 200 youth in the Parish who were with him to support all Parish activities.

He not only organized activities in the Parish for its various groups, but he made it a point to be present at all of them. He had a magical touch whereby he could do a number of things and do them to the best of his ability. The raising of the monumental Shrine of the ‘Fulancho Khuris' at Bambolim will remain concrete proof of his organizational skills.

In describing Fr. Freddy as a multifaceted personality during the homily of the Funeral Mass, Fr. Cristovao Caldeira, a close friend of Fr. Freddy compared his life to the ‘Unfinished Symphony' composed by Schubert. “His life as a priest, his involvement in socio-cultural movements, his contribution to Konkani, the public relations he maintained with peoples of all religions, a dramatist, journalist, a social reformer etc. has become a part of his unfinished life but definitely a harmonious one,” he said. In the years to come Fr. Freddy had nurtured many dreams which today will remain unfulfilled with his untimely death. The absence of his towering personality may have left a void but his unforgettable memory will definitely inspire many to fill in this vacuum left by him.

The mortal remains of Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, who died in a tragic road accident in the early hours of 17th May 2004 were laid to rest at the Our Lady of Gloria Church, Varca on Wednesday. Thousands of people from different walk of life paid a tearful farewell to the priest who had touched their lives in myriad ways.


 

FR. FREDDY J. DA COSTA was born on 20 July, 1953 . He did his primary studies in his native village Varca, Salcette. He joined the Minor Seminary of Saligão at the tender age of nine, completed the six-year Humanities Course there and joined the Major Seminary of Rachol for Philosophical and Theological Studies. He was ordained priest on 24 April, 1976. After finishing his Pastoral Training Course at Pius X Institute, Old Goa, he was appointed Prefect of Saligão Seminary. He did his special studies in Hindi, and taught Hindi and Konkani to the seminarians for 14 years. He has an M.A. in Sociology. He was a member of the Board of Studies of GBSHSC, and a member of their textbook committee.
(www.goanobserver.com)

_________________

Konkani Journalism Stalwarts

DEATH is not a question of age but a mortal certainty of our temporal abode on this earth. The tragic death of two stalwarts of Konkani journalism, Fr Freddy J da Costa, Felicio Cardozo and Franky Pires, Fr Freddy’s close associate once again ascertains the reality that death is resolutely blind to one’s age and stature. Two admiring personalities who were proving to be the pillars of Konkani through their untiring good works in writing shall be remembered with fond memories for a long, long time ahead. All of Goa is mourning their death. The news of this tragic accident halted Goans in their tracks. The inexorable finality of death forces you to stop and think and experience regret. The most endearing quality of these stalwarts was they were doers and not just talkers. Praising the priest is alien to many. Fr Freddy was a multi-faceted personality. The type of work he was involved in was not something that anybody could accomplish. Fr Freddy did not confine himself to religious matters alone. He got involved in many social and educational organisations. Perhaps, Fr Freddy packed more years of living into the 51 years that destiny gave him. Felicio Cardozo, who worked in close association with Fr Freddy was a freedom fighter. His writings were forthright. He had his views and even if they were unpopular or politically incorrect he’ll express them. There wasn’t a shred of hypocrisy in the man. And as the advent of grief sets in, let us somehow respectfully remember Frank Pires of Siridao who was driving Fr Freddy’s car. May God give their families comfort in their hour of grief and courage in the hour of calamity.

IRINEU GONSALVES, Verna
(Navhind Times)
 

Kallzantlem dukh, kalzantuch dourun, Fr. Freddyn and Felicio baban suru kel'lea Konknni bhaxeche(Romi Lipi) udorgotik, voir kadpachi zababdari zonn eklea Goenkaran aplea khandar ghevpacho vell aila. Koknnichi Romi lipi maka bhorpur avodta anik aiz meren hanvem jitli borpavoll kelea ti, 80 tok'ke Romi zaun assa. Atam tori muzrot odhik vell kaddun, maka borpavoll korunk zai, ho nirnnoi hanvem ghetla.

Nakesh Borker
nakesh26@rediffmail.com
 

‘Fr Freddy, Felicio will live in hearts of youth’

MARGAO, MAY 19, 2004 —  HERALD CORRESPONDENT
— “The commitment of Fr Freddy J da Costa and Felicio Cardozo to the cause of Konkani and humanity will continue to inspire the younger generation for many years to come”, stated Konkani Sangeet Ani Natak Akademi, in a press note here on Wednesday.While mourning the death of Fr Freddy J da Costa and Felicio Cardozo, the Akademi stated that it is deeply grieved that two of the greatest stalwarts of the time met an untimely demise, adding that their work in the field of literature, journalism, dramatics and social activism has strengthened and enriched our society.
Besides editing the well-known Konkani monthly Gulab, Fr Freddy also authored several books, tiatrs and one-act plays, the songs of some of these, are produced as audio albums, the press note stated.
Felicio Cardozo’s determination and dreams shone in his writings for numerous periodicals and the loving service he rendered to society in his tenure with Konkani Bhasha Mandal and other institutions will never be forgotten, further states the press note issued by Sridhar Kamat, the managing trustee of the Akademi.
Goa Su-Raj Party: The Goa Su-Raj Party has expressed grief over the sudden and tragic deaths of Fr Freddy J da Costa, Felicio Cardozo and Frank Pires.
The party states that all these three people were good citizens who went about utilising their God given talents in the service of their fellow citizens.
Fr Freddy unified the Goans across the globe by utilising the Roman Konkani script. In his untimely and sudden death, Konkani has lost its prominent standard bearer, the party further states in the press release.
CPI: The Goa State Committee of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has expressed shock over the deaths of two Konkani stalwarts — Fr Freddy J Da Costa and Felicio Cardozo who died in a road accident on Monday.
The party also condoled the death of Frank Pires.
The CPI has offered its condolences to the families of the Late Felicio Cardozo, Fr Freddy J Da Costa and Frank Pires.The party appreciated the yeomen services and contributions of Felicio Cardozo and Fr Freddy J Da Costa in the Konkani movement.
The CPI further states that their singular contribution to the creation, nurturing and growth of several public institutions in Goa - will always be remembered by Goans.
 

(www.oherald.com)
******
 Hunderds bid adieu to Fr Freddy

NT News Service

Margao May 19: The founder editor of the Konkani magazine, Gulab, Fr Freddy J da Costa’s body was laid to rest at the Varca cemetery today evening.

Earlier, the funeral services held at the Our Lady of Glory church were attended by the Archbishop Patriarch, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, former Archbishop of Kolkata, Rev Henry D’Souza, Bishop of Asansol, West Bengal, Rev Cipriano Moniz, hundreds of priests of Goa Archdiocese, nuns and laity. Heads of various institutions, journalists, dramatists and eminent citizens also attended the service.

In his address, the Archbishop Patriarch, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao said the Goa Archdiocese was short of a talented priest, among the priest fraternity a fellow priest was lost and in the field of journalism, a prolific journalist had passed away.

While expressing his condolence to the bereaved family of Fr Freddy, Rev Ferrao said that although in the eyes of humanity Fr Freddy was no more, yet in the eyes of faith, he continued to live amidst his loved ones forever.

In all the parishes where Fr Freddy served, Rev Ferrao reminded that he had love for all his people. “He expressed his love for Konkani and Goan culture through various publications and dramas and he also had deep concern for the Goan church,” he added.

The Archbishop informed that Fr Freddy utilised all his talents in a creative way and as he always grew in the spring of love, Rev Ferrao prayed that God may bless his soul with eternal bliss.

On behalf of the World Apostolate of Fatima, the national president, Rev Henry D’Souza expressed deep condolence to the family of Fr Freddy and stated that recently he had participated in the mass offered to Divine Mercy together with him.

Rev D’Souza said that nobody knew that the divine mercy would take Fr Freddy to his heavenly abode. “We are confident that Fr Freddy has been blessed with special grace by the divine mercy,” he added.

Rev D’Souza also said that in the death of Freddy it is a great loss to Apostolate of Fatima and added that in various fields he had rendered so much to the church as well as the country.

During the homily, the parish priest of Agassaim church, Fr Cristovao Caldeira appreciated the God-given talents bestowed on Fr Freddy and added that in whichever field he worked, Fr Freddy always attempted to make the best of every opportunity.

Fr Caldeira further stated that Fr Freddy aptly incorporated the vision of the Goa Diocesan Synod. “He expressed his love for the Konkani language through his writings and he worked for the preservation of Goa culture through his dramas and one-act plays,” he added.

In his priestly ministry, Fr Caldeira said that Fr Freddy always tried to work in collaboration with others and instead of focussing on the old practices of the church, he said that Fr Freddy always tried to be very innovative and creative.

Focussing on his role as a proprietor of the New Age Printers, Fr Caldeira disclosed that Fr Freddy had the desire of handing over the press to the Goa Diocese and establishing a Catholic press.

Present on the occasion were the president of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Luizinho Faleiro, president of Nationalist Congress party, Dr Wilfred de Sousa, the president of Goa Konkani Akademi, Mr Pundalik Naik, president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Mr Shyam Verenkar, editor of Sunaprant, Mr Sandesh Prabhudessai and others.

www.navhindtimes.com

______________

Condolence meet in city

PANJIM: — Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr and Dalgado Konknni Akademi in collaboration with other Konkani institutions have convened a meeting to condole the death of two Konkani stalwarts, namely Fr Freddy J Da Costa and Felicio Cardozo on May 22 at T B Cunha hall-Panjim, at 5 pm. Representatives of Konkani institutions, Konkani writers, tiatrists, and journalists are requested to attend the meeting. — HND
 

(www.oherald.com)

*********************

Tribute to Fr Freddy

Goacom Website has a pictorial tribute to Fr Freddy J da Costa, whose mortal
remains were laid to rest at the Varca cemetery yesterday (May 19, 2004) evening,
with thousands of people from all over the State joining in to pay their
last tributes to the departed pioneer of Roman Konkani language and editor
of Konkani monthly Gulab.
Check at
WHAT-S-NEW at GoaNOW Webzine
    http://www.goacom.com/goanow/2004/may/Whatsnew.htm


________________

KHK MOURNS THE DEATH OF FELICIO CARDOSO & FR. FREDDY J. D'COSTA.

KONKANI HERITAGE KUWAIT mourns the sudden death of Felicio Cardoso and Fr.
Freddy J. D'Costa who died a few days back in a tragic accident.  They were
both great promoters and supporters of Konkani language, Konkani Culture,
Konkani tradition, Konknai history, Konkani folklore, Konkani movement and
everything connected with Konkani and Goa.  In their death Goa and Konkani
lost two eminent personalities.  May their souls rest in peace and may God
give Goa more of such persons to serve Konkani.

Gen. Sec. KONKANI HERITAGE KUWAIT

__________________

KUWAIT KONKNNI KENDR DEEPLY MOURNS THE SAD AND UNTIMELY DEMISE OF TWO 
KONKANI STALWARTS FR. FREDDY J. D'COSTA AND MR. FELICIO CARDOSO. IN THEIR 
DEATH THE KONKANI LANGUAGE AND GOA LOST GREAT MEN OF KONKANI MOVEMENT. MAY 
THEIR SOULS REST IN ETERNAL PEAACE

MARIO REBELLO
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF KUWAIT KONKNNI KENDR-KUWAIT

_____________

From: John Aguiar <johnaguiar@rediffmail.com>

The tragic accicent and death of Editor of Gulab  Fr. Freddy J. da Costa and 
writer/Journalist/Freedom Fighter Felicio Cardozo reminds me of the accident 
near the Toursit Hostel, Panaji where Editor of Uzvadd, Mr. Evagrio George and 
Freedom Fighter Mark Fernandes died together.

Fr. da Costa was a dedicated writer and strong konkani. He even started his own 
daily news paper in Roman Konkani. Goaencho Avaz was very popular. I had the 
opportunity of working with him as Chief Reporter in this news paper. Gulab his 
illustrated magazine was not only popular in Goa but in gulf countries. 

Felicio Cardozo was a dedicated writer, thinker and his contribution to the 
cause of Konkani has been noteworthy.

_______________

"WHAT-S-NEW" at GoaNOW Webzine:
   We have a pictorial tribute to late Fr Freddy J da Costa at
   http://www.goacom.com/goanow/2004/may/Whatsnew.htm

ADEUS FR FREDDY: The body of Fr Freddy J da Costa was yesterday laid to rest
in his native village of Varca. Thousands of his wellwishers, including
hundreds of priests, paid their last respects to the departed soul at Our
Lady of Gloria church. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao was the main celebrant
at the funeral service. The bishop of Asansol, Cyprian Moniz, and former
bishop of Kolkatta, Henry D'Souza, along with hundreds of priests
concelebrated. (GT)

RANE CONDOLES FR FREDDY, CARDOZO'S DEMISE: Kala Academy chairman Pratapsing
Rane has expressed deep grief over the tragic death of noted journalist and
artiste Fr Freddy J da Costa and noted writer and freedom fighter Felicio
Cardozo. (GT)

CONDOLENCE MEET: Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr and Dalgado Konknni Akademi,
in collaboration with other Konkani institutions, have convened a meeting to
condole the death of two Konkani stalwarts, namely Fr Freddy J da Costa and
Felicio Cardozo, on May 22 at TB Cunha Hall, Panjim, at 5 pm.
Representatives of Konkani Institutions, Konkani writers, tiatrists and
journalists are requested to attend the meeting. (H)

courtesy: GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS/20 May 2004

__________________

D E A T H S
17 May, 2004: Seraulim: FELICIO CARDOSO: freedom fighter, journalist, son of
late Maria Ida/late Inocencio Sebastiao. Funeral cortege will leave his
residence at 4 pm for Our Lady of Pilar Church, Seraulim on May 20.
   

17 May, 2004: Siridao: FRANCIS X PIRES (FRANK): son of Camilo/Josepha, brother
of Domnic/Asha, Lawrence, Ruzai/Jacinto, Mila/Antonio, Mafaldina/Gonsal,
Pascin/Jose, Romaldina/John.

FR FREDDY J. DA COSTA'S FUNERAL TODAY (19/05/2004):
 
A tearful adieu has been planned for Fr Freddy J Da Costa of Varca, late Felicio Cardozo of Seraulim and late Frank Pires of Siridao. Fr Freddy (50), Cardozo (71) and Pires were killed in a road mishap at Haveri Karnataka in the wee hours of May 17, 2004. The body of Fr Freddy will be brought to the Our Lady of Rosary Church in Siridao today (May 19) where the Goa Velha Deanery has organised a memorial service, including the celebration of Mass, at 10:00 am.
 
The body will then be taken to New Age Printers at Verna for a short while, en route to the family residence at Varca. The funeral cortege will leave the house at 3.30 pm for the Our Lady of Gloria Church at Varca and the mass will start at 4:00 pm, presided over by Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao.
 
New Age Printers will bring out a special issue of "Goencho Avaz" on May 19, to mark the tragic demise of Fr Freddy J. Da Costa.
 
The funeral of Felicio Cardozo will take place at 4.30 pm at Seraulim on May 20, while the funeral of Frank Pires will take place on May 20 at 11.30 am at the Siridao parish.
 
 
Cajetan de Sanvordem
Kuwait

_____________

Tragedy hits Two Konkani Stalwarts
By Pratap Naik, S.J., Director TSKK
 

Mr Felicio Cardoso and Fr Freddy J. da Costa died on 16 May night in a tragic accident on their way to Bangalore by road while travelling for a Konkani project.  Both of them were recipients of the Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), for 1992 and 1996 respectively.  TSKK condone the death of these two champions of Konkani, and convey our sympathies to their families.
 
 
Mr Felicio Cardoso :

Mr Felicio Cardoso was born on 30 August 1932 at Suravli, Salcette.  His primary and Liceum studies were in Portuguese.  He did his high school studies at Model English High School, Marg o.  Discontinuing his high school studies he took part in Goa’s liberation movement.  He was arrested on 16 June 1954 and was sent to Aguada.  When in the prison he learned to read and write Konkani in Devanagari and Kannada scripts.  He was released on 31 January 1958.  He completed his SSC in 1976, and his B.A. in History in 1980.

Mr Cardoso was a Portuguese teacher before Liberation. He was a Konkani teacher at Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim.  He was a member of the Board of Studies of GBSHSC, and a member of their textbook committee, and a Konkani examiner of the same board.

From 1949 he contributed articles regularly to Konkani periodicals published from Bombay, such as Sot, Goa, Goemkar, Konkan Times, Golden Goa and Sontos.  After Liberation he was the editor of Goencho Sad, a Konkani weekly in Roman script from 1962 to 1963.  He started and edited Sot, a Konkani daily in Roman script 1963 to 1967.  From 1967 to 1968 he edited the Konkani daily Divtti.  1968-69 he was the editor of Loksad, a Konkani weekly.  1983-85 he edited the Konkani daily Novem Goem.  Besides this, he contributed a number of Konkani articles to periodicals such as Suria, V. Ixtt, Uzvadd, Goencho Avaz, Rashtramat, Sunaparant, Porzoll, Gulab, Vishal Konkan, etc.  After his retirement from Rosary H.S. School he was associated with Fr Freddy in editing Gulab till his death.

His first book Fulanchi Bag is an anthology of his Konkani poems published in 1952.  He has written or edited ten Konkani books such as Tufan, Tiatrancho Zhelo Bhag I & II, published by Goa Konkani Akademi.  His last book was Utpot’ti (a translation of Genesis, the first book of the Bible) in 2002.  He has written, produced and acted in a number of Konkani Tiatr from 1950 to 1962.  He has produced a number of one-act plays.  His programmes were broadcast on AIR Panaji and Bombay.  He acted in the Konkani film Jivit amchem oxem.

He was the President (1984-86) of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa.  He was on the Executive and General Council of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, as a representative of Konkani.

 

Fr Freddy J. Da Costa :

Fr Freddy J. Da Costa was born on 20 July 1953.  He did his primary studies in his native village Varca, Salcette.  He joined the Minor Seminary of Salig o at the tender age of nine, completed the 6-year Humanities Course there and joined the Major Seminary of Rachol for Philosophical and Theological studies.  He was ordained priest on 24 April 1976.  After finishing his Pastoral Training Course at Pius X Institute, Old Goa, he was appointed Prefect of Salig o Seminary.  He did his special studies in Hindi, and taught Hindi and Konkani to the seminarians for 14 years.  He has an M.A. in Sociology.  He was a member of the Board of Studies of GBSHSC, and a member of their textbook committee.

Fr Freddy began his literary career at the tender age of ten with a poem entitled Maim in V. Ixtt.  From then on he contributed a number of articles, poems and short stories to Rotti and Uzvadd.  For a number of years he had a regular feature article on V. Ixtt under the title ‘Oxem mhaka Ievzota’.  From 1983 he has been editing and publishing his popular Konkani monthly magazine Gulab.  He edited and published the Roman script Konkani daily Goencho Avaz for a year and a half.  Then it was made a weekly, later a fortnightly tabloid, and later still it came out occasionally.  He has also contributed articles to English dailies and periodicals in Goa.

Fr Freddy was the author of 11 Konkani books such as Kanniam Zhelo, Utth Goemkara, Onit.  His Bap’pa series of one-act plays are still popular.  He wrote and published over a dozen tiatr, which include Devachi Khast, Niz Mog, Ghorabo, Utth Goemkara.  Songs of some of these Tiatr are produced as audiocassettes.

He was the first President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, and took active interest to promote Konakani in Roman script.  Just last week he was involved with others to revive this akademi, and was appointed a member of a core committee.  He had many dreams and plans to preserve and promote Konkani in Roman script, which remain unfulfilled with his untimely death.

In 1980 he was the recipient of ‘Man of the Year’ award instituted by President of Maharashtra Congress.  In 1995 he received the Kulagar award.  His plays and talks were broadcast by AIR Panaji.

When he was the parish priest of Bambolim church, he was instrumental in getting a majestic and beautiful Shrine of the Miraculous Cross – Fulancho Khuris – built at Bambolim.  Besides his manifold work for Konkani he set up and ran a printing press, New Age Printers.

___________________

Pri. Freddy J. Da Costa-ache Ugddasak

Sokallim nigtoch kocherik vochunk bhair sorlolom. Mobile vazlo. ‘Fr. Freddy axident zaun sompla mhunn tuvem aikolam?’ eke ixttinin fonar vichar kelo. Thondachi zapuch bond zali. Kaluch ratri, kosle tori karannak lagun gharant kazaranchi khobor choltali. Mojea lhan cheddean vichar kelo. Mama, tumchem kazar khuichea padrin kel’lem? Mezar, Mai mhoineacho Gulab aslo, ugtto korun bhurgheank Pri Freddicho fotu dakoilo. Anik aiz sokallim he ixttinicho oso vichar aikun, anv choltam vo sopnant asa tem somzolenam. Tuka sarki khobor asa? Anvem vichar kelo. Tuka ghoddie sarki khobor asteli mhunn fone kel’lo, ixttinin mhonnlem. Monant kainch euzonam zalem. Gulabachea Goem office-ak fone gundailo. Vazta....zabab nam. Pri Freddicho khaxea bhau Francis Da Costa, Bahrainantuch asa tem sudam anv visorlom. Goem Bab Cecil Pintok fone gundailo. Hangasor kaim khobor nam, choukoxi korun porot fone kortam, Cecil baban asvason dil’lem. Namneche tiatrist Bab Peter hancho fone ailo. Dukhest khobor khatrechi mhunn tanem gomoilem. Ami Gulabache Bahrainche protinidhi aslelean zaitea Goenkaranche choukoxi korunk fone eit raule. Konem tori hi khobor Gulf Goans Newsletter-acher porgott zalea mhunn khobor dili. Potrkar Daniel F. D’souza-an dil’li mahiti vachun vhodd dukh zali. Pri Freddy, ek Dev Mhunieari, ek okhond konknni mogi, ek potrkar, ek tiatr boroupi, ek konknni songit sadorpi, ek somajik vaurupi, ek moipaxi ixtt amkam nam zale. Hea marekar obsoegan tachea sangatak tachech sarkelea gunache ‘freedom fighter’ anik mojea iskolachea teacher Felicio Cardosui somple mhunn vachun anik khont bhogli.

Iad zainam. Visek vorsam tori zatlim. Pri. Freddy J. Da Costa, Gulab-acho pormoll xinvraupak Gulfache bhonvder aile. Te Bahrainant paule anik amchi bhett zali. Te vellar suru zal’le sombondh gott zait ghele. Gulaba vorvim Bahrainchea Goenkaranchi khobor konknni somazant pavoupak tanech maka ut’tejon dil’lem. ‘Khata, Pita Dev Dita’ ani ‘Utt Goykara’ he tache don tiatr kaim vorsam adim Bahrain palkar addunk amkam tanem sondhi dil’li. Fatlea vorsant ami suttient ghel’le astanam, Modganv Gomant Vidya Niketan osreant ‘Gulab Awards’ vantpachea dobazo zalao. Teach sanagatan tachea Jivitachim Ponas Vorsam manoupant ail’lim. He dobazek azir zaunk amkam tanem kherit amontronn dil’lem. Hea disak tanem aplea uloupant mhunlelea utrachim iad zata. "Hea ponas vorsamchea jivitant mornan don pautt mojea darar marlem, punn dar ugodlenam. Moji ek nimnim itcha asa, ek khodegant konknni film toiar korpachi, uprant anv moronk raji" Punn tem odruxtti moron tachim sopnam purim zaisor raulenam. Tea disa taka ponas vorsamchim porbim diun, ek mogachi veng marleli, ti amchi nimnim bhett zait mhunn anvem kednanch chintunk naslem.

Pri. Freddy-n konknni khatir kel’le teag, tacho sanskrutik toxo somazik vaur hacher atam zaitem boroup zatlem hantunt illoi dubau nam. Hea vixoi-ancher mojem mot kirkol zait mhunn bietam. Tori punn tachea tin moladik thikamcher mojeo tin volli:

Konknni mollar aple koxttanchea thebeanim ximpoun pormollit kel’lo.

"GULAB" Tiatristam khatir staplole fankivont "GULAB AWARDS".  

Bambolle Fullam Khuris-achea zagear porzollit "DEVMONDIR".

Xevttak tache avoik, bhavank anik sogle familik amchi buzvonn

 

G.R. Crasto/Bahrain

www.goa-world.net

_______________________________
To  : Gaspar Almeida

Gasper,
 
As per the information I gathered, Fr. Freddy's funeral service is scheduled  for 03.30PM on 19th May 2004 (Wednesday) from his residence at Varca. Prior to this the body will be brought directly from the morgue to the Siridao Church, of which he was the parish priest at 10.00 AM in the morning and a eucharistic service will also be held.  In all probablity, the body will arrive at his residence in Varca by 1.00PM (19-05-2004).
 
Felicio's funeral is tentatively fixed for Thursday (20-05-2004) timing and place not known.
 
regards.
Daniel F. De Souza
18-05-2004

_________________


The President and Members of GUARDIAN ANGEL CLUB
(KUWAIT) with deep regret were shocked to hear the
sudden and tragic death of Fr. Freddy J.Da Costa and
Mr. Felicio Cardozo on 17/05/2004.

In their death we lost great Konkani lovers. Our
heartfelt sympathies to their families. We pray to
Almighty God to give eternal rest to the departed
souls.


Cajetan de Sanvordem
President
Guardian Angel Club - Kuwait
Email: cajdesan@yahoo.com


________________


Death of Konkani Stalwarts - Tribute to a teacher

 
We do not become Goans just because we speak Konkani. We cannot become foreigners if we take birth or live in a foreign country or speak a foreign language. We are Goans because of Konkani...Konkani is our identity." - Felicio Cardoso
 
No man fully capable of his own language ever masters another. Felicio Cardoso spoke and wrote fluently in English, Portuguese and Hindi and also spoke Russian, Tamil, Kannada, Tulu and Malayalam.
-gaspersWorld
 
Death of Konkani Stalwarts
Mr Felicio Cardoso and Fr Freddy J. da Costa died on 17 May (01.00 am) in
a tragic accident near Hubli on their way to Bangalore by road.  Both of them
were recipients of the Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar of Thomas
Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), for 1992 and 1996 respectively.

Tribute to a Teacher - Felicio Cardozo
Mr Cardoso was born on 30 August 1932 at Suravli, Salcette.  His
primary and Liceum studies were in Portuguese.  He did his high
school studies at Model English High School, Margao.  Discontinuing
his high school studies he took part in Goa's liberation movement.
He was arrested on 16 June 1954 and was sent to Aguada.  When in the
prison he learned to read and write Konkani in Devanagari and
Kannada scripts.  He was released on 31 January 1958.  He completed
his SSC in 1976, and his B.A. in History in 1980.

Mr Cardoso was a Portuguese teacher before Liberation. He was a
Konkani teacher at Rosary Higher Secondary School, Navelim.  He was
a member of the Board of Studies of GBSHSC, and a member of their
textbook committee, and a Konkani examiner of the same board.

From 1949 he contributed articles regularly to Konkani periodicals
published from Bombay, such as Sot, Goa, Goemkar, Konkan Times,
Golden Goa and Sontos.  After Liberation he was the editor of
Goencho Sad, a Konkani weekly in Roman script from 1962 to 1963.  He
started and edited Sot, a Konkani daily in Roman script 1963 to
1967.  From 1967 to 1968 he edited the Konkani daily Divtti.
1968-69 he was the editor of Loksad, a Konkani weekly.  1983-85 he
edited the Konkani daily Novem Goem.  Besides this, he contributed a
number of Konkani articles to periodicals such as Suria, V. Ixtt,
Uzvadd, Goencho Avaz, Rashtramat, Sunaparant, Porzoll, Gulab, Vishal
Konkan, etc.  After his retirement from Rosary H.S. School he was
associated with Fr Freddy in editing Gulab till his death.

His first book Fulanchi Bag is an anthology of his Konkani poems
published in 1952.  He has written or edited ten Konkani books such
as Tufan, Tiatrancho Zhelo Bhag I & II, published by Goa Konkani
Akademi.  His last book was Utpot'ti (a translation of Genesis, the
first book of the Bible) in 2002.  He has written, produced and
acted in a number of Konkani Tiatr from 1950 to 1962.  He has
produced a number of one-act plays.  His programmes were broadcast
on AIR Panaji and Bombay.  He acted in the Konkani film Jivit amchem
oxem.

He was the President (1984-86) of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa.  He
was on the Executive and General Council of Sahitya Akademi, New
Delhi, as a representative of Konkani.

(source: Goanet)

         No justice in Life...Live each moment... 
         http://gaspersworld.tripod.com/

 

gasper crasto
 

Goa Su-Raj Party.
(Gerald Fernandes)
Spokesperson.

Press Release

The Goa Su-Raj Party joins the people of the State and Goans all over the World in their grief over the sudden and tragic death of Fr .Freddy J da Costa,  Mr. Felicio  Cardozo and  Mr.Frank Pires.

All three of them, above everything else that distinguished them in their chosen fields of endeavour, were good citizens who went about utilizing their God - given talents in the service of their fellow -citizens. Fr. Freddy was in the forefront  of unifying Goans across the Globe by his choice of utilising the Roman script to write in Konkani. In his untimely and sudden death Konkani has lost a  prominent Standard -Bearer of the
Konkani language.

We pray that the ALMIGHTY give strength to the Families of the departed to bear their loss with fortitude.

Konkani movement lost stalwarts: CM

PANJIM, MAY 18, 2004 — HERALD NEWS DESK
— Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar condoled the death of Fr Freddy Da Costa and Felicio Cardozo and in his message said that in the death of Fr Freddy and Felicio, Goa lost two stalwarts of the Konkani movement. Their death has made Konkani movement orphan. Both worked relentlessly for the furtherance of not only the Konkani language but also the Konkani culture, Mr Parrikar added. Mr Parrikar further said that, what is particularly noteworthy of these eminent personalities is the fact that both were equally proficient in Devnagiri as well as Roman Konkani and both worked diligently towards furthering the cause of Konkani. In their death, not only Konkani lovers but all Goans have suffered an irreparable loss as the Konkani ethos has been deprived of its blazing luminaries.
 

Writers’ body hails Fr Freddy, Felicio as great humanitarians

PANJIM, MAY 18, 2004 — HERALD NEWS DESK
— Expressing shock over the deaths of the two pillars of Konkani movement Fr Freddy J da Costa and Felicio Cardozo, Konkani Lekhak Sangh stated that both these towering personalities were Christians by birth, but in real sense they were great humanitarians.The Sangh president Prakash Padgaonkar stated that Fr Freddy was admirer of Konkani Roman script. His purpose of publishing ‘Gulab’ Konkani magazine was to keep united all Konkani speaking people scattered around the globe tied together to their mother tongue.

Padgaonkar further stated that Felicio Cardozo was an eminent freedom fighter, journalist and thinker who by his thought provoking writings encouraged movement and budding writers.Dalgado Konkani Akademi: Tomazinho Cardozo, secretary of Dalgado Konkani Akademi stated that tragic and untimely deaths of Rev Fr Freddy J da Costa and Felicio Cardozo have shocked the Goan community in general and Konkani lovers in particular.He further stated that Fr Freddy was the editor of the Roman script Konkani monthly ‘Gulab’ which is widely read by Goans in Goa and abroad. A votary of Roman script Konkani, he was the founder president of Dalgado Konkani Akademi, which was established for the purpose of developing Konkani in Roman script, the DKA secretary added. Observing that the writers in Roman script Konkani were not getting any patronage from the Government or from any other Konkani institutions, Fr Freddy took the initiative to have a get together of Roman script Konkani writers on 12th instant, which was a big success, Tomazinho further stated.  Fr Freddy’s aim was to support Roman script Konkani writers, increase readership and at the same time to strengthen the roots of Christian community in Konkani and in Goan identity, the DKA secretary further added.
 

As a priest, Fr Freddy has done yeomen service in the religious field. In whichever parish he served, he always did it with dedication. He loved his flock and in turn they loved him too. The church of Holy Cross at Bambolim is one of the few examples of his untiring and sincere efforts towards his people, Tomazinho Cardozofurther stated. Felicio Cardozo, a freedom fighter, dedicated himself for standardisation of Konkani in Roman script. After the liberation of Goa, he started a Roman script daily ‘SOT’ through which he helped practically all the writers of my age, including me, to write Konkani in Roman script in a standardized form, the DKA secretary said. Tomazinho Cardozo said that, today, all the Roman script writers make efforts to write Konkani in a standard form, the credit of which goes to Felicio Cardozo alone.Felicio Cardozo was a straight forward man and had the courage to express his opinion publicly. He had mastery over Konkani language and thus he was a guide and an inspiration to the new upcoming writers, the DKA secretary said. Tomazinho Cardozo further stated that in the deaths of Fr D’Costa and Felicio Cardozo, Konkani has lost two of its illustrious sons and it will be difficult to fill the void created in their deaths. Pratapsingh Rane: The chairman of Kala Academy, Pratapsingh Rane has expressed deep grief over the tragic death of noted journalist and artiste, Fr Freddy J da Costa and noted writer and freedom fighter, Felicio Cardozo.In a press release issued by the Kala Academy member secretary Dr P R Phaldesai, Rane stated that Felicio Cardozo and Fr Freddy J da Costa were the stalwarts who always remained in the forefront of the Konkani movement and upliftment of the language. They also contributed significantly in both literary and cultural field, he added.  Fr Freddy was well-known in tiatr as a writer, director, actor and also a great music lover, whereas Cardozo was associated with Konkani literary activities at the State and national level , Rane said.
 

Konkani Lekhak Sangh pays tributes to Fr Freddy, Felicio Cardozo

NT News Desk

Panaji May 18, 2004: The Konkani Lekhak Sangh, Goa has paid tributes to Fr Freddy da Costa and Felicio Cardozo.

Fr Freddy was admirer of Konkani Roman script. His purpose of publishing Gulab Konkani magazine was to keep united all Konkani speaking people scattered around the globe tied together to their mother tongue. Felicio Cardozo was a freedom fighter, journalist and thinker who by his thought provoking writings encouraged movement and budding writers.

Both these towering personalities although were Christians by their birth, in real sense they were great humanitarians.

"GULAB" AWARDS: Nine Goans who excelled in certain fields will be honoured at a function organised by "Gulab", the only illustrated Konkani monthly magazine at the Gomant Vidya Niketan Hall, Margao, at 10.30 am on 20 July, 2003 on the occasion of the 50th birthday of Gulab editor and publisher Fr Freddy J da Costa. The awardees include Man of the Year Nandkumar Kamat, best
Konkani stage male artiste Mathew Araujo, best Konkani stage female artiste Rosy Alvares, best Konkani tiatr writer Roseferns, best Konkani tiatr director Prince Jacob, best Konkani musician Norman Diniz, upcoming artiste ? Junior Chico, best Roman script Konkani sahitya writer Fr Jose Dias and best sportsman Climax Lawrence. (GT)

KONKANI SEMINAR HELD: The Konkani Department of Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, recently organised a seminar-cum-workshop on "The Constraints in Learning Konkani at Undergraduate Level". Fr Freddy J da Costa inaugurated the seminar. Principal Fr Walter de Sa and vice principal Prof Savio Faleiro were present. Prof Sanjay Govekar presented a paper on "The aim and objectives of Konkani syllabus at undergraduate level", Prof Cosme Fernandes and Prof Hanumant Chopdekar on "The constraints in learning Konkani at undergraduate level". (Herald / 8th September 2003)

Plans to reactivate Dalgado Konkani Akademi

NT Staff Reporter

Panaji May 14, 2004 : Over 70 writers of Roman-script Konkani unanimously resolved to reactivate the Dalgado Konkani Akademi, formed in the 1980s to further the cause of Roman-script Konkani.

In a meeting held at the T B Cunha hall, Panaji, yesterday, the writers also resolved to demand the Goa government’s support in preserving and promoting Roman-script Konkani which is the age-old tradition of the Christian community of Goa. Besides, the writers resolved to organise a three-day festival to bring together lovers of Roman-script Konkani.

The writers put up several suggestions towards the cause of the Dalgado Konkani Akademi; the creation of a fund to finance the activities of Roman-script Konkani, popularisation of its pioneers, bringing together all institutions using Roman-script Konkani, formation of village level committees to create awareness etc.

Welcoming the writers, Fr Freddy J Da Costa, the editor of Gulab, a monthly magazine in Roman-script Konkani, said the aim of this movement will be to preserve Konkani culture in the Roman script. He stressed that they were not against Devnagiri-script Konkani and that the need of the hour was to support writers of Roman-script Konkani to create good literature and to increase readership.

“Our perception that Devnagiri script for Konkani will unite Goans has failed us. Konkani writers in Roman script have not got any benefit to develop their talents,” he said. Fr da Costa urged the writers to seriously deliberate on the issue if Roman-script Konkani was to be preserved.

Mr Tomazinho Cardozo said that Vavraddeancho Ixtt and Gulab, both in Roman-script, had higher readerships compared to any Konkani publication in Goa. There is tremendous readership for Roman-script Konkani provided the writers produce good literature. The Christian community will have firm roots in Konkani language and Goan identity only if their Konkani tradition in Roman script is preserved and promoted, Mr Cardozo said.

GULAB monthly, Rs 10 per issue, monthly.
(Goenchem ekuch Konknni rongit mhoineallem)
Spompadpi (Editor): Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa
For subscription, please contact:
Gulab,
149, 31st January Road, Behind Mary Immaculate School
Panaji, Goa - 403001, India
Tel: 0091-832-224469 or contact the Representatives (Protinidhi) in:
Mumbai - Fausto V. Da Costa Tel: 0091-22-2654974
Kuwait - Jose Antonio Gracias Tel: 00965-3940600 Ext. 2348 Pager: 00965-9101356
Bahrain - G.R. Crasto Tel: 00973-291166(0)/296613 (R)
Oman - Menino de Bandar Tel: 00968-702158
P.O. Box 705, Muscat, Oman

SATISFACTION

One gratifying fact, which is becoming obvious of late, is that a section of NRI Goans, even though it is miniscule, has also shed the inferiority complex it once harboured where mother-tongue Konkani is concerned. Of course, they would be preferring the Roman script with which they are familiar. They have been searching for Konkani-English dictionaries and phrase books more frequently than earlier. Even the foreigners, who come to Goa, make it a point to purchase a good dictionary and books to learn Konkani. Only Fr Freddy J da Costa, the editor of "Gulab" magazine and the printer of most of the church literature, which is in Konkani, did throw some light on the contribution of Roman script Konkani.

There was a large spread of Konkani books and publications collected and displayed by the Goa Konkani Academy. Though there were some books even in English, we regret that just about half-a-dozen books in the Roman script were among the vast collection. Remarked Bonaventure D’Pietro, a Konkani writer who has written several novels in the roman script, "If Roman script publications and books were to be displayed, they would have overshadowed the publications which were put up. It would have been obvious as to who reads and writes maximum in Konkani and in which script—official or otherwise."

Happy Birthday GULAB masikak! Hea 2004 vorsachea Janeraant Gulabekvis vorsam bollanddun bavisvea vorsant pavl marta dekhun hanv taka porbim ditam. Sorginchea Bapan vaitt-vighnam nivarun hea masikak lamb aukh favo korum. Tech porim Devan Fr. Freddy J. da Costak kurpa, bholaiki, jivak suseg ani monak sovostkai diunk magtam.

Ekvis vorsam Gulab masik Romi Konknnint choloun vachpeanchea hatant ghalop ek bharadik kam’. Fr. Freddy duddvancho faido choin hem masik choloina. Toxem tannem kel’lem zalear aiz hem masik jivem urchem naslem. To aple bholaikechi pasun porva korinastana Gulab jivont dovrunk apttota ani dopttota.

Fattlea Dezembrachea Gulabar “21 Vorsam” ho ogrlekh vachun hea masikacho itihas dolleam mukhar ailo. “Konknnik Romi Lipi Koxo Labhli” ho Felicio Cardoso babacho lekh vachlear Konknnik Romi koxi favo zali to itihas lokxant ieta. “Xanticher Roste Bond Kele?” ho Fr. Jose Diasacho lekh niall korpa sarko. “Padri, Iskol ani Konknni” ho Bab S. M. Borgesacho lekh boreantlo boro ani vachpeank bori bud’d ani xikvonn dita. Sompadpi Fr. Freddycho “Mhojeo Bhonvddeo” ho lekh vachpeak urber dovorta. “Jezu Ballkacho Zolm” ho Fr. Moren de Souzacho lekh itihasik nodren bhov mhotvacho. Bab Manuel Fernandesacho “Dev-Mondir Hottel Nhoi”, Fr. Tomas Lobocho “Goy Amchem Surokxechem, Painnem?” ani Fr. Ave Mari Afonsacho “padri ani Sonvskar” lekh ul’lekh korpa sarke lekh

Fr. Freddy Sompadpeak, Gulabachea Karbhareank, borovpeank, jairatkarank ani borem dekhpeank he udexim hanv porbim ditam.

Joe de Verna, Mumboi

(GULAB/Jan. 2004 issue)

05 March 2004

NON-DISCRIMINATION ON RELIGIOUS BASIS IS A TRAIT OF GOANNESS, SAYS BHEMBRE: A meeting was held at the TB Cunha Hall in Panjim on March 4 evening, to condole death of Fr Antonio Pereira, SJ, a renowned Konkani writer who died recently. Fr Freddy J da Costa, editor of Konkani monthly "Gulab", who was the main speaker, said that Fr Antonio Pereira was one of the greatest Konkani writers, and went on to briefly list each of the Jesuit priest's numerous books. Others who paid eloquent tributes to the memory of Fr Pereira included Naguesh Karmali, who presided over the meet, Tomazinho Cardozo, Udai Bhembre, Felicio Cardozo, Prakash Padgaonkar, Nutan Sakhardande and Ashok Bhosle. Adv Bhembre said, "Non-discrimination on the basis of religion is what constitutes Goenkarponn (Goan identity). Fr Pereira displayed this aspect of Goan nature in word and deed." Tomazinho Cardozo said that affable Fr Antonio Pereira always encouraged young writers, and despite the fact that he had contributed immensely to Konkani literature, it was unfortunate that the revered writer and very popular preacher did not merit the Sahitya Akademi award, because he wrote in the Roman script.  Hence Tomazinho proposed the formation of a Trust to convert at least a few of Pereira's important books in the Devanagiri script so that he could be considered for a literary award at least posthumously. Fr Pratap Naik, SJ, welcomed the small audience. While proposing the vote of thanks he hoped that "Fr Pereira's life and work would be a shining example and an inspiration to all". (GoaNOW)

FR FREDDY'S SARCEDOTAL SILVER JUBILEE: A thanksgiving mass will be held at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Siridao, to mark the Silver Jubilee of Fr Freddy J da Costa's priestly ordination on May 1 at 4.30 pm. The editor of Konkani monthly magazine "Gulab", Fr da Costa, will later be felicitated by his parishioners. (WE-GT - 28 April 2002)

Fattlea (Fev. 2004) ‘Gulab’-ar Ave Maria Afonso bapachi “Bhurgem-Tornnatto-Mhataro” mathalleachi chitt porgott zalea. Eke kodden oxem boroilam:

“Feliciobabachea motan mon’xak MHATARO mhonnop ek vaitt gozal va mhataro hem utor koddu orth khunnaita. Dekhunuch Felicio bab piraien vaddloleank zannttim mhonnunk suchoita. Magir tim nennar asum, pixim asum, govoim asum! oxem tor, xixttokti olonkar vaprun mhatarea mon’xak bhattkar, girest, dotor, koroddpoti adi, adi, mhonnunk zata vhoi?”

“Nak khoim ani adolli khoim” mhonnttat tosli hi gozal! Mhatarea mon’xak bhattkar, girest, dotor, koroddpoti, adi mhonnunk zainam. Mhataro vixexonnacho orth bhattkar, girest, dotor, koroddpoti, adi zainam. Mhataro vixexonnacho orth zanntto zalear zata. Zor eka bhattkarachi, girestachi, dotorachi, koroddpotichi mhatari pirai zalear ten’na mhataro/zanntto bhattkar, mhataro/zanntto girest... adi mhonnpachem.

Afonso bapachi ti chitt vachun hanv novean mhojea obheasachi uzollnni (revision) korunk laglom. Jayme de Seguieracho “Dicionário Prático Ilustrado” ho Purtugez xobdkox ugddun eufemismo (euphemism) utor pollelem. Hea mullchea grik utrachi viutpot’ti (etymology) oxi: eu = borem, ani phemi = sangtam). Tachi somzonni oxi dilea: suavização de uma expressão ou de uma ideia dura ou desagradável: uma senhora respeitável, em vez de velha. (ek kotthor vo naposont kolpona vo mhonn’nnem modhur korop: mhatari mhonnche suvater ek manadik bail mhonnop)

N. R. Ranaddechea “Model Dictionary English into Marathi and English” xobdkoxant euphemism utrache oxe orth dileat: dMq vFkZ x¨M ’kCnkar lkax.¨ (koddu orth godd xobdant sangop) The use of a mild term for a harsh one.

Gurunath Kelekarachea “English-Konkani Dictionary”-nt euphemism utracho orth nagrint oso dila: vaitt gozal sangtona movall utrancho vapor (melo = bhair poddlo).

Oxfordchea ‘Thesaurus’ant euphemism sobdache sabar orth dileat tantunt he-i don aspavtat: softening; polite term.

Mons. Dalgadachea Konknni-Purtugez xobdkoxant zannto utor pollelem. hea utrache Purtugezint 17 orth dileat tantunt sábio (zannar), edoso (mhataro) ani bebedo (bebdo) he-i orth mell’lle.

hantaram Anant Hedo hachea “Konknni-Konknni Xobdkox”ant heo nondi (entries) mell’lleo:

zanntteponn = 1. vhodd pirai; mhatarponn. 2. ginean.

zannttelem = voian borench vhodd; mhatarem; chodd piraiechem.

zannttem = vhodd voiachem; chodd piraiechem; ginean axil’lem.

mhatarponn = zanntti pirai; zanntteponn.

Shripad R. Dessaiachea “Konknnni Xobdkox”ant sokoilea xobdanche orth oxe dileat:

zanntteponn = mhatarponn, denvti pirai, gineaniponn.

zanntto = piraien itoram poros vhodd, gineanan xrextth, dneani, dnean’vont.

Rajhaunsachea “Konkani - English Illustrated Dictionary”nt (sompadok: Suresh J. Borkar, Mukesh P. Thali ani Damodar K. Ghanekar) heo nondi asat:

zanntte = aged; major; old; adult; grown up; veteran

zanntteponn = old age

zannttele = forefathers; ancestors; pater familias; forebears

zannttelem = aged; old; elderly; hoary.

zanntto = doyen; patriarch

Rajhaunsachea “English-Konkani Dictionary”nt

Old= zannttem; mhatarem; voiovrud’dh.

Old age = mhatarponn; zanntteponn

Dr. Manoharrai L. Sardessaiacho “Inglix-Konknni Xobdkox” (English-Konkani Dictionary) hantunt sokoilea utranche orth oxe dileat:

Elder = zanntto, vhoddlo, zannttelo

Old - mhataro, pornno, voiovrud’dh, khub disancho, purvil’lo, zanntto, puraton

Old age = zanntteponn, mhatarponn

Senior = voian zanntto, jextth.

(CHOTRAI: Nagrint aslolea utranchem lipeontor (transliteration) Romint kelam.)

“2003-chea Dezembra Gulabar, ‘Vachpeanchim Motam’ hea panar voilea mathalleacher boroilam taka okhondd bunead na” — oxem Afonso bapan boroilam (Gulab Fev. 2004). Hanv ek Konknni xikpi, Konknni videarthi. Hanvem “boroilam taka okhondd bunead na” khoim. Punn te buneadik khondd khoim asa to dakhoilear upkar zait.

Dalgada sarko bhasxastri — (taka khoincheai Bharoti Videapitthachi bhasxastrant Ph. D vo ‘dotor’ podvi mat nasli) — ani her koxkaramni zanntto utra vixim boroilam taka matui bunead nam kai?

Lok uloitat, tim utram ani lok tea utrank ditat te vividh orth koxkar aplea xobdkoxamni nond kortat. Utrancho orth sodanch ek sarko urnam. Sondorbha pormonnem utranche vo vakeanche orth bodoltat. Udahornnak: Jesuit hea utracho Inglezint ek orth “Jezu sonsthecho vangddi”, punn dusrea sondorbhant tacho orth dhongi (dissembling person, equivocator) zata!

Konknnint padri zavop mhonnche iodnik zavop. Hea vakeacho anik ek orth asa: barik zavop; babddo zavop; oskot zavop. Sondorbha pormonnem utracho bhitorlo orth vo gorbhitarth (connotation) bodolta. Tech porim zanntto utra vixim zata.

Inglezint mhatareak old man mhonnche suvater senior citizen mhonnttat. “Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English” hantunt: senior citizen = (euphem for) person over the age of retirement, old age pensioner — oxem melltta.

Adhunik Purtugezint mhatarponnak velhice mhonnche suvater terceira idade (tisri pirai) mhonnttat.

“Feliciobabachea motan mon’xak MHATARO mhonnop ek vaitt gozal va mhataro hem utor koddu orth khunnaita” — Afonso bapan te chittint boroilam. Seneca totvgineani mhonnttalo: mhatarponn ek pidda. Hem koddu sot Afonso bapak somzunk -ghoddie anik cheallis-ek pavsalle lagot. Punn ken’na ken’nai hanv vrud’dhaxromant, zannttea (mhatarea) padrim-ghorant vochun kaim mhal mhatareank bhett ditam ten’na hem sot mhaka holmotach.

Te chittint xevttim Afonso bapan “... mhatareank zannttim mhonnop iogeo nanch!” mhonn sangun oxem boroilam. “Xobdkoxancher toxench nam’ne-chea pustokancher asa tem dolle dhampun gheunche poros, gineanancho upeog korun ap-aple utravollint goroz to bodol kelear bhaxechi udorgot zatoli.”

Ho tacho ‘updes’ vachtokoch mhaka tacho tork somjikaiecho dislonam.

Felício Cardoso, Suravli

(GULAB - Mars 2004 ank)

______________

-----------------------------------------
Romi dailies - a lost cause?
-----------------------------------------
by Peter Raposo sfx
 

So far, almost a hundred Romi Konkani papers or periodicals have been published at different point of time since the year 1889. Undentechem Sallok by Eduardo Bruno de Souza was the first 

Romi Konkani periodical that started in 1889. Initially this paper started as a monthly but later came out as a fortnightly and lasted till 1894.

Most of these periodicals were weekly, fortnightly or monthly with an exception of few dailies. In all there, there were a total of around nine dailies that thrived  at different points of time in Romi 

Konkani journalism. Started in 1907 in Mumbai, by Bernard Francisco Cabral, Sanjechem Noketr is the first daily in Romi Konkani. Later, in 1932, Antonio Vicente da Cruz started Concani Bulletin, 

another daily paper in Mumbai. These two dailies were followed by Goan Observer (a Konkani-English daily) started in 1933 by Joao Lazarus de Souza and Emigrant by Inacio Caitano, which was 

started in 1934 as a weekly but later was published as a daily.

These dailies were all flagged off on a high note, but there apparently wasn't enough steam to keep going. Besides, these being mostly a one-man show business, after a short span of time they all 

closed. This was the first phase of the daily papers. Most of these papers did not follow any rules of grammar or syntax. Portuguese words crept in extensively.

The second phase of the daily papers began in 1963 soon after Goa's Liberation. Felicio Cardozo started Sot in Margao. This was followed by Divtti, which started in 1967 of which Felicio Cardozo, again, was
the first editor. (Incidentally, Sot and A Vida, a Portuguese daily, joined forces and combined to form Divtti).

In 1970, Gomantak Private Limited started Uzvadd in Panjim. This was edited by Evagrio Jorge. In 1982, Novem Goem was started and Gurunath Kelekar became its first editor. Goencho Avaz 

is the last Romi Konkani daily on our list, which was started by Fr. Freddy D'Costa in 1989.

This second phase saw changes come in by way of language used, grammar and syntax. Many writers emerged during this period. However none of these papers outlived more than five years, 

except the Concani Bulletin, publishing for 13 years. Sot: Sot started by Felicio Cardozo evolved from Goencho Saad, a weekly periodical, also started by him. It was printed on all the days except 

on Mondays. It carried news, columns, editorials, cartoons. A tabloid, it published in four to six pages. It covered prevalent corruption. Rules of grammar and syntax were followed and spellings 

tended to be more consistent. Portuguese words were avoided. Readers slowly got used to it. During the first seven months a thousand copies were printed from which only 400 copies were sold. 

Sales later grew to 5000. During the course of time,

Sot made enemies due to its exposures on corruption. It also lost advertisers, this being one of the factors for it becoming financially unviable. This led to its merger with A Vida, a Portuguese-language
daily run by Veritas Publishers in Margao and Divtti was formed.

Divtti: Felicio Cardozo took over as its editor. It closed down after a few months due to differences between the editor and publishers, and financial difficulties. A tabloid, it had four pages 

(weekday editions) to six on Sundays.

Uzvadd: Started by Gomantak Private Limited in 1970, with Evagrio Jorge as editor. Readership touched 4000, but slowly dwindled, in part for seeking to promote causes like merger with Maharashtra 

and Marathi. Jorge finally left the paper due to differences with the publishers. The paper ran for almost six years. Prior to ceasing, it turned weekly. Lack of funds and advertisements also aggravated its 

demise. 

Novem Goem: This publication was started with help of public funds at the initiative of Dr. F.M. Rebello. Gurunath Kelekar was its first editor.
It ran a loss due to mismanagement and had to be closed after three months. However it was restarted and Felicio Cardozo appointed as
its editor. In its new avatar it carried six pages on weekdays and eight pages on Sundays. Again, it too had to be closed down due to
mis-management and lack of funds.

Goencho Avaz: Fr. Freddy D'Costa, the founder and editor of Gulab started Goencho Avaz, the last Romi Konkani Daily. A significant section of the Konkani readership in Goa had been asking 

for a Konkani daily paper, says Fr. D' Costa, who also considers this as the main reason to have started the paper.

There was also a need among a vast section of the people who neither read English nor could follow other languages and who wanted to be informed about daily affairs. Within a year's times, 

the readership of Goencho Avaz had reached over 5000. Goencho Avaz carried four pages on weekdays and eight pages on Sundays.

Fr. Freddy accepts that this venture being a one-man show, it had to close down. He gives two main causes as reasons for its closure:  it was not managed professionally and the lack of 

adequate income meant it could not continue paying the employees. Today Goencho Avaz still continues, but comes out only occasionally. 

Why is it that not a single Romi Konkani daily survived is one question that will haunt its readers and those behind the launching of these papers. Most of these papers had common pitfalls. 

They were either a one-man show or were not managed professionally. 

It could be argued that the 'lack of funds' followed from these reasons and vice versa (this being a vicious circle). As a result not a single daily or even the numerous periodicals that existed were 

consistently able to deliver to the Romi Konkani reader what it should have and what it could have.

To argue that there were insufficient readers to support a daily would be inaccurate. No doubt the onslaught on Konkani during the Portuguese regimes, the merger-with-Maharashtra and 

pro-Marathi controversies and the division on the basis of script certainly affected the growth of Konkani and Romi Konkani journalism.

But that no one actually capitalised or exploited the opportunity that existed is a fact that will always continue to haunt. After Goencho Avaz, no one else has come forward to start another Romi 

Konkani daily.

Is there a scope for a Romi Konkani daily, the question is still being asked. If a person like Dattaraj Salgoancar (publisher of the Sunaprant) supports such a daily, would it work? People working in 

Romi Konkani journalism feel that the scope for such a daily is still there.

At Vavraddeancho Ixtt our readers frequently ask us: "Can't you give us a daily V. Ixtt?" The same is true at the Gulab. This demand comes from a large section of people in Goa who needs to be 

informed and who can follow only Romi Konkani. It also comes from a lot of people of Goa, more precisely the Christians, who follow Romi Konkani and want to read the daily paper in their own 

mother tongue besides an English-language paper. There are those who may find it difficult to understand any other language, say English, as well. 

Looking at the past, it would appear that the Romi Konkani dailies failed on two accounts: They were more often than not a one-man show (no corporate backing) and none of them was managed
professionally.

Once the running of the content and the personnel is managed professionally, a Romi Konkani daily could surely run successfully, lasting for another 30 to 50 years and may be even more.

But the million-dollar question here is, who will bell the cat? Enthusiasm and ideas alone are not enough. Someone with the managerial skills and abilities to sustain such a venture needs to take 

the lead.

In fact, time is ripe for the third and the final phase to start another Romi Konkani daily paper. It is now, or probably destined to never be. Besides a person with corporate backing, the Church
in Goa is also in a good position to run a daily paper for several and good reasons. The Church is the only institution that extensively uses Romi Konkani; a dialect mostly used among the Catholic 

segment.

It has enough qualified persons to run such a venture or has the potency to prepare such persons, if needed. The Church in Goa has a network of about 160 parishes, including ten major parishes 

able to subscribe to a thousand copies each. For the remaining 150 parishes to buy even 100 to 500 copies is not far-fetched.

A paper run by the Church could easily fetch over 25,000 subscribers without much effort, a figure that could grow given the proper strategy
and promotion. Such figures can help attract advertisers. Besides, the huge market relating to death announcements, anniversaries,
weddings, and the like will be another regular and guaranteed source of income that could ensure such a publication's longevity and standards.

Finally let not this suggestion be understood as an attempt at creating a communal divide (as we've seen happening in the case of Konkani
and Marathi). On the contrary it will bring Goa's two major communities together, as it will keep a large section of people (in this case the
Christians) who are alienating themselves totally from the Konkani fold.

Further, it should be seen as exploiting the existing scenario for the enhancement of Konkani journalism and Konkani as such irrespective
of its scripts. No one should see it as a threat to Devnagri Konkani, the official script of Konkani. Devnagri Konkani will develop in its own
time and the support of the Church is evident from the 125 Konkani (nagri) primary schools it runs and promotes.

In fact, in the course of time, the new Romi daily can slowly start
introducing Devnagri and, when and if Romi Konkani becomes irrelevant,
it can be changed to Devnagri itself. Otherwise the story of Konkani
journalism may end up in the words of the wise Konkani saying:
'Dada-i na puddvem-i na'. Simply, a tale of lost opportunity.

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The writer is a young priest, and editor of the Vavraddeancho Ixtt,
a Konkani weekly published from Pilar.
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HERALD 12/4/04 page 6
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GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE

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ATTEMPTS TO STANDARDASIE ROMI SCRIPT KONKNNI: "The 125th jayanti of Vaman Raghunath Shenoi Varde Valavlikar or Xennoi Goembab, who has been considered as the father of

modern Ko