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[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*}[*]{*} TO VENGURLA, VIA KARWAR... WITH A 'XENDRI' IN HAND What it meant to be a schoolboy at transition-time in Goa, a generation ago By Constantino 'Tino' de Nazare [EMAIL PROTECTED] [This is one of the contributions from an alumni of St Britto's, the prominent Mapusa-based school that completed 60 years this month, which is slated to appear in a book of old boys' memories and tributes. Tino Nazare is a long-time Goanetter.] I first did segundo grau (basic education in Portuguese) and then joined the school, which at that time was in the Duler locality of Mapusa. Two years later, we moved to the new premises, the site where the school is still located atop the Altinho locality of that North Goa town. I was nine years old when I first joined the old school, near the Duler ground. Ours was the last batch during the Portuguese regime which could not answer our exams in Goa, so we had to go to 'Uniao Indiana' (India). Some of my friends went to Mumbai, others went to Pune and I opted for Vengurla. That was the closest and most economical. I still remember buying Indian rupees with the Neugi in the Mapusa Market. I got Rs. 170 for the Portuguese 100 ruppee worth of "escudos". Our journey was long. Since there was no border crossing in North Goa, we travelled on a circuitous route that went south to go to Vengurla which lies to the north of Goa, via Karwar, armed with the 'Documento da Viagem' (travel document). This journey involved crossing the Sabarmati river, thence to Hubli and Belgaum in those old 'ST' (state transport) buses. Once in Belgaum, a commercial town to the east of Goa, we went to Vengurla. The no man's land crossing was something hard to forget. There were literally no men, ladies or gentlemen except our 'pursao'. That is, our procession of BOBs (Britto old-boys), who of course were at that time still just Britto boys. Each of us carried our own 'xendri', an imported straw mat that was the first thing I sold later on, over the border when I returned. We were all accommodated in a moderate-sized hall in Vengurla where we put down our 'xindris' (straw mats). Our host was a tile-merchant known as Bento who gave us lovely meals: fish and hot curry with a lot of good 'achars' (pickles, Indian style) unknown in the Goa of those days. Of course, we enjoyed our freedom of being independent (from the school interiors, that is). There were lot of firsts in my life then. Like, I watched my first Indian film 'Pardeshi'. We stayed there for about three weeks, and then returned the same circuitous way we arrived. Some of my class mates were Anthony da Silva from Moira, nicknamed "Xillo Padtio" (I believe he is a priest now), Baptist Dias from Moira nicknamed The Philosopher, Xavier from Salvador do Mundo nicknamed "Deuchar" or Devil (no offense, Xavier). we had Valeriano Azavedo and his brother “bangdo”, or Mackeral, Ramiro Cabral from Porvorim (now he is in Mumbai). Almost everyone had a nickname at Britto's. Others included the late Mariano, the late Jeremi (Benaum), Stephen from British Africa (known to the boys as 'Elvis Presley'), and Mervin (also from Africa) and his brother Jimmy. There was Joseph (Capri). Bernard D'Souza from Anjuna was called "Gandhi" by us. I contacted him in 1984 in Germany from Lisbon, where I happened to meet another ex-Brittos alumni, Antonio da Costa, when my ship had docked in Lisnave, Lisbon. There were others like Rodney de Souza from Assagao, and John Nazareth (also from Assagao). Orlando Fausto Fernandes, Dominick and Ramchandra Godekar (Colvale). The latter has a bar in the Mapusa market. Remo Pinto's is someone I often see at Mapusa. Then there were the D'Souza brothers Anthony and Baptist (I see Baptist sometimes, he used to be in Kuwait and was there during the Sadam Hussein's invasion). Alex Lobo died in an accident, and is the brother of Floriano Lobo. Alex and me met often in Mumbai where we studied in St. Xavier's Technical Institute. We took up the same profession as commercial ships' Radio Officers. And we also had Mario Carvalho (now in Assagao), who had directly joined the SSC class after his Liceu. Our principal was Fr. Edward D'Souza, and his brother Fr. Vincent D'Souza also taught us. Others were Fr. Condilac, and Fr. Vaz. Our best times were those retreats, in Baga, where we used to steal tender coconuts, and enjoy climbing the coconut trees. My best memories were of the teachers, like the late Teacher Nina Soares, who taught me in the first standard, and was very tender with me. She was a kind and gentle soul. As I could not speak English, she would help me to translate from Portuguese until I could speak fluently once I passed the first standard. Alas, she is no more. Then, there was Guruji, our Hindi teacher, whom I used to appreciate very much, and Sir Reggie from Duler. Mr. Menezes was the owner of the house which accommodated the school when I first joined Brittos in 1954. We would call him "coddo", as he was bald. How could I forget Fr. Ubaldo de Sa? He was behind the construction of the new complex where the present building is located. I would often see him in Panjim, at municipal garden near the Jesuit House. Our picnics were something unforgettable, we once went to Arvalem via Ponda, where we saw the match box factory, one of the few signs of industrialisation in the Goa of the times. The vehicle used came from the "esquadrao" (squadron) near the current court house. It was an army truck, all closed up, and we boys were all hurdled inside. I still remember the driver, a Portuguese military man, carrying a machine gun with him, just in case there was an attack en route! Nothing happened though.There was a danger of land-mines in those days, as we heard there were 'terrorists' lurking around. There is so much to write, so much to be thankful for, so much to enjoy by way of old memories. Things have changed now. Often I go to my old school incognito, watching the students, and reminiscing the class rooms where we occupied and were so blessed. I remember the place where we boiled eggs in a tin using 'talkule' firewood. In my travels on board the merchant ships -- tankers, bulk carriers and passenger liners -- I met in ports mostly three widely-scattered tribes, the Jews, Sindhis and my fellow Goans. The best memories I have was I met Agnelo (ex-Brittos) in Finland, and others in Bahamas. Again, there were some in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Since my sailing days, I am married and have two kids and am based in Goa where I finally returned after living in Mexico (for two-and-half years), Europe, the USA and other Latin American countries including Argentina and Brazil, where I got 'hitched'. It is nice to go down memory lane. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Constantino 'Tino' de Nazare is a radio officer who travelled the world, to return to his homeland and Goa. He runs an interesting bookshop at Panjim, more as a labour of love and commitment.] GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the 7000-strong readership of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. GoanetReader welcomes your feedback at goanet@goanet.org ----------------------------------------------------------------- Goanet, building community, creating social capital for a decade. ----------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Goanet-news mailing list Goanet-news@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-news-goanet.org