DEATH OF GREAT KONKANI PERSONALITY.
On Friday 23rd of this month at 5.30 p.m., in Abbasiya Kuwait, at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. D'Cruz, under the auspices of prestigious Mangalorean oranisation Konkani Kullvar Kuwait, a condolence meeting was organized to mourn the sudden and untimely death of Mr. George Pinto who died on 11th of this month in Mangalore. Invited to compeer the proceedings of a Konkani Function in Mangalore, the late Mr. Pinto soon after reaching his home place expired due to Heart Attack. While going from Kuwait he told his employers and others that he will be back soon but that particular SOON never came and instead Mr. Pinto was buried at his home place in Managlore.
Mr. Pinto is a renowned Konkani stalwart of whose type are very few amongst us in Konkani arena. Amongst the Mangalorean community he was a rare literary personality having written innumerable articles and stories on different topics having lot of philosophical outlook. He already published his two books on philosophical aspects of human life. He has translated innumerable books and articles and dramas too from other languages into Konkani in Kannada script. A year back the Konkani Drama Dr. Damiau staged at Indian Arts Circle Funaitees was also translated by him only. Because of his enormous contribution in the service of Konkani literature he was a year back awarded Konkani Literary Award by Goan Review (GRAFF) organized function in Bombay. Other than this he was honoured by different organizations at different places.
A very soft spoken person with slim physical stature he had mighty power to think great and high. Having vast knowledge of different subjects on different languages he could cite at the spur of the moment best of quotations from best of renowned writers and poets. Having worked in different places in the Gulf finally he landed in Kuwait where he was also involved himself in literary work. During the condolence meeting all the speakers showered abundant praises on the great contribution of late Pinto on Konkani literature. In the form of speeches and poems his work was lauded. The best poetry on him was recited by Jessy D'Cruz. Renowned literary giants amongst the Mangalorean community Lancy Pinto Nayak, Johny Suratkal and Walley Quardos with their eulogy of the works of George Pinto brought extra vigour for this meet. Chief Guest Lawry Pinto who is known in Konkani Circle as a strong supporter of Konkani movement requested the gathering and organizers to initiate special funds for the upkeep of the family members of the departed soul. Late George Pinto leaves behind him his young and sorrowful wife, two children, aged mother and two elderly sisters. They are all living in Mangalore and all were supported by George Pinto.
Generally speaking what I have noticed in Konkani world is this that the very staunch supporters and promoters of Konkani movement are born materially poor, lived poor and died also poor. Unfortunately at their cost many became rich and already rich became richer but when the time of lending helping hand came the rich and richer refrained from helping the needy Konkani promoters. It is a great act to organize such a condolence meeting by the organizers because the death of such a gigantic Konkani literary figure should not go unnoticed. In death George Pinto became more powerful and if all the Konkani lovers and supporters accept their obligation towards the needs of the dead persons family I think it would be a great act which may even give a booster for all other Konkani promoters. Let everyone join and raise funds for the support of the family members of the dead but while raising this funds let there be no feeling that it is given as alms. The late George Pinto was not a beggar and he never liked to beg. He was a dignified man within his available means. By collecting this funds let there be a feeling that it is done as a gesture of goodwill towards the good work George Pinto has done on Konkani promotion. By collecting this funds let there be a feeling that Konkani people are rich in heart and means to take care of their people during the time of crisis. Let us all join together for this great cause and give a feeling that it is done as a sign of our obligation toward the good work of Geroge Pinto. And at this special juncture let me call upon the well-known business magnates in Mangalorean community such as Ceasars who are known to support the cause of Konkani to be active in this regards. So the organizations such KCWA and others. Let us now be more magnanimous in showing our genuine responsibility towards the family members of Pinto by offering them something on our own freewill. When top Mangalorean Konkani artistes come to Kuwait many times they are fattened by the special purses offered to them by business tycoons and top organizations, in this way already fat persons are made more fat. So why not do something more important for our late unfat George Pinto?
George Pinto was not a member of Mangalorean community only, he was the member of Konkani community. He may be born and bred in Mangalore but surely he worked for the general good of Konkani which is the language not only of Mangaloreans but also of Goans and others. Let us all Konkani people join in mourning the death of our George Pinto and let us also be a part of the fund raising campaign for the family member of our departed late George Pinto whose replacement will not be an easy task to find. In fact such great literary figures come into one's community only once in many years. May be man like George Pinto may never come in Konkani world once again. May his soul rest in peace.
A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait.
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