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FIRST GOAN IN ANTARCTICA.
To the best of my knowledge and belief, the first GOAN to visit the Antartica is Luis D'Cruz of the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Colaba, Bombay. He is an alumni of St. Xavier's Technical Institute, Mahim Bombay.
He was in the team that maintained the scientific instruments used by the Indian scientists in the Antartica expidition during the early 1980s.
You may call him up at the IIG in Bombay and give him my reference.
Norman Lobo
Antelope, CA
From: "Gilbert Lawrence" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> CC: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet]First Goan in Antarctica Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 17:20:38 -0500
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Fred Noronha's post was a great sermaum as reflected by the number of mea culpa from the membership. If Brother Fred had included a few words from the bible, I would have to call him Padre Fred. And if there were a few Latin words, unquestionably he would have been at least Monsignor if not Bisop Fred.
Even one member who goes by JC (and is 'close to' Jesus Christ) was very cooperative with advancing the dialogue about Goans and Antarctic. He took time from his busy work schedule and forwarded me the entire cyberspace listing of Senhor Goes. This led me to all the published papers by this great Goan researcher and his work in this wonderland - even if it is undersea. Well I got enough material to write a thesis on this Goan in Antarctic. Thanks JC!
However the purpose of writing this post is to point out that even with all our combined contributions from many knowledgeable members, we cannot expect to get it always right the first time around and sometimes even second or third time around. That does not mean we should not try and Fred can take Gabe's advice. Even the 'walking, talking and writing' encyclopedia of Goans overlooked an important group of first Goans to reach Antarctic. And this is the purpose of this post. This came to my mind after meditating over the contemplative sermaum from Bro. Fred.
About ten years ago, I visited /participated in a cancer conference in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. One of the after-dinner walks took me to the port of Tasmania. There I saw a docked ship called Antarctic. I was very curious as it was well equipped with all research gear and also included a helipad. I drew close to the research vessel and boarded it. I found out this was a French research vessel that has been making trips to the Antarctic. Arriving (informally) on board, I was greeted and taken around by a group of four Goan tarvottis working as crew on this ship.
So while all the xperto Goenkars on the internet were dialoguing on the poilo, dusro ani tisro .... Goenkar to reach the Antarctic, amcho ganv-bhavs - the silent tarvottis (silent, except among themselves) were having a jolly good laugh. Over the centuries these brave Goan men made planned and unplanned trips to the Antarctic (and everywhere else).
These Goan tarvottis told me, the planned trips to the Antarctic occur only in the summer of the Southern Hemisphere (which is winter in the Northern Hemisphere). The start and the end of the sailing season are always treacherous with uncertain weather conditions, temperatures, winds and icebergs.
Goan tarvottis have been Goa's life blood for many centuries. Unfortunately as a group they are the most unrecognized and under-appreciated Goans. Except for their close family no one recognizes them once they retire. The life of the shippie takes a toll on them and many of them die prematurely. So this Christmas season if you meet a Goan tarvotti give him hug for his contribution to Goa. And if you know the family of Goan tarvottis remember them in your prayers. I will do so as I remember my brother-in-laws the late Capt. R. Pereira (age 45, Sangolda) and late Master Capt. A. Mendonca (age 54, Aldona) who passed away this year. Regards, GL.
Eddie Fernandes: Apologies if I gave the impression that Helga would be the first Goan to reach the Antarctica. The message I received indicated that she would probably be the fist Goan woman to do so. I chose not to include this in my report. With hindsight, this was an error. Cheers
Gabe: RESPONSE: Now just to rake up the ambers; I have said before if the cap fits wear it. In this case I believe it was the hon. Dotore who mentioned that she was the first Goan to go to Antarctica........Any how I don't know what the hoo ha is all about. The statement made by the Dotore was just a comment and was not stated as being factual....we all stand corrected on this forum once in a while. No sweat and no harm done. Get a bit lite.
