The Catholic community in Goa has burst into celebration following Lata Dhavalikar’s call to Goan Hindus to not send their children to 'convent' schools. It might be noted that on April 6th while addressing a convention at Margao, Lata, who is the wife of Dipak Dhavalikar, a Minster in the Goa Cabinet, urged Hindus to desist from aping Western culture.
Fr. Jerson Rebello, convenor of Citizens for Justice and Social Peace, says, “As minority institutions our schools are often unable to accommodate Catholic children because so many Hindu children also apply for admission. If Lata's appeal finds grounds then we will be able to accommodate our own and educate them in the proper religious and moral way we would like to, without having to be appearing secular.” Maria Pinto e D’Costa, President of the Catholic PTAs of Goa was even more excited at this development. “So many of our Catholic children who were forced to take admission in non-Catholic schools will now find that they can join the schools they prefer - Catholic managed schools. It will be a ghar wapsi of sorts for them. They are back where they belong!” Carmen Fernandes who has two of her daughters studying at St. Mary's High School in Moira said, “When our school PTA is calling for funds it mostly bees us Catholic parents who give generously. Most Hindu parents want the benefit of a 'convent' education for their childrens but do not wish to reach into their pockets when St. Mary's is needing funds.” Patrick D'Silva (MA) Chairman of the Catholic Headmasters and Headmistresses Union of Goa said, “I think all of us Catholics should thank Latajee for this fantastic suggestion and hope that it is heeded by the majority community. We are offering a tatkal scheme for Hindu students wanting to leave Catholics schools. We will not only give them a Leaving Certificate within one hour we will also give them a Inconvenience Fee of Rs. 500/-” Meanwhile news is filtering in of Catholics all over the state clamouring for a statue of Lata Dhavalikar to be installed at some prominent place in Ponda or Bicholim. A large section of the Catholic populace of Goa is of the view that she should be canonised. Even in rural areas of Goa Catholic dominated villages are organising ladinhas and prayer services in celebration of Lata's appeal. The managements of Catholic schools in Goa are busy preparing themselves for an exodus from their schools. The post-Easter period promises to be a good one for Goan Catholics. ==============