Xit-Koddi - Apr 2015

Remembering Dr. Jack Sequeira

Goa Is Goa Because...........

At the time of Goa’s accession to India, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had categorically assured Goans that Goa would retain its distinct identity. However, following the victory of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in the first election for the Goa Assembly in 1963, the MGP raised the pitch and called for merger of Goa into Maharashtra. MGP wanted to have a vote on merger in the Goa Assembly, where they had a majority.

It was Dr. Jack Sequeira, then leader of the Opposition, who vehemently opposed this move. He worked tirelessly to garner support from allies for an opinion poll and it was when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister that Parliament agreed to a referendum by secret ballot. The historic opinion poll was held on 16 January 1967. The proposal for merger was defeated by 34,021 votes.

Today Goa is Goa because of the selfless sacrifices of true-blooded Goans, egged on by the indomitable spirit and leadership of Dr. Jack Sequeira. Else, Goa would be a district of Maharashtra and our Official Language would be Marathi.

On his birth centenary (April 20, 2015), Xit-Koddi salutes this great son of Goa, Dr. Jack Sequeira, popularly known as the Father of the Opinion Poll. Let all Goans, likewise, resolve to resist any future attempts to diminish in any way the integrity and special identity of Goa.

Adios Bahrain: Godwin D’Cruz, a member of our Goan Community, who was at the forefront of many social and

religious activities, bade ‘Goodbye’ to Bahrain. Godwin worked in the automobile industry for 10 years after his arrival on the island in 2004. He worked with well-known car brands such as Toyota, Lexus, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and KIA. Godwin was the vice-president of the Young Goans Club in 2014 and was instrumental in organizing several activities of the club. He was recently nominated Secretary of Posa, the charity group of Sacred Heart Church (SHC). Godwin was also a member of the sports and entertainment committee of the SHC that organized a variety of events during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the church. ‘The stagnating automotive scenario in Bahrain, makes me look for opportunities back home in India, where the market is booming’, he told Xit-Koddi before his departure to India. Xit-Koddi wishes him a bright future, as he joins his wife Juliana and children, Grenville and Johanna, in Mumbai.

Program For Students: The Sacred Heart Church (SHC) is organizing a program entitled 'Empower your Future' for students of  Class  X, XI and XII. The program will feature talks by renowned speakers on ethics, values, career development, communication and other  issues for betterment of  the future. The program will take place on May 3 from 8.30 am to 5.00 p.m. Those interested may contact the SHC parish office for registration and further details.

Konkani Musical Show: The Konkani Community of the Sacred Heart Church (KCSHC) is organizing a Konkani Musical Show on May 28 at the Our Lady of Arabia Auditorium from 7.30 p.m onwards. Actors from Kuwait, Qatar and Mangalore are expected to participate in this show entitled ‘Wilfy Nite’ in support of the Awali Cathedral. Invitation cards are available with members of KCSHC.

Obituary: Sabino Fernandes, a resident of Bahrain for 38 years, passed away in Mumbai on January 28 of this year following a massive cardiac arrest. He was well known among members of Young Goans Club (YGC) in the 1980’s. He served on the executive committee of the YGC as indoor sports secretary for several terms from 1981 to 1999. In his professional career, he worked as personal assistant at the law consulting establishment of Ali Reza & Sons from 1978 to 1999, and for the last 3 years he was at the transport division of the Ramee Group of Hotels in Juffair as assistant supervisor. Xit-Koddi learnt of his demise, very recently and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Antonieta, son Joshua and daughter Caroline. May his soul rest in peace.

Kyoko Matsukawa (Japan): Dev Borem Korum ! For the coverage about my visit to Bahrain. It is great my Goan friends will know about my visit to Bahrain. It was a pleasure to visit Bahrain and discuss the situation of Konkani and the Goan Community in Bahrain.