GOANS MOURN JOHNY SURATKAL. Members of Goan community closely associated with the late Johny Mesquita Suratkal, who died last week in his Mangalore home place, mourned the death of their colleague and friend by oranising a condolence meeting in Kuwait City yesterday 21st August 2006. The meeting was held at 8.00 p.m. and attended by friends, colleagues and well wishers of Johny Suratkal including Mangaloreans namely Ms Ida the vice president of Kuwait Canara Welfare Association and Lawry Pinto ex president of KCWA. Everyone who attended the condolence meeting expressed his/her view on Johny Suratkal saying that he was the genuine Konkani lover and kind hearted man. Fidelis Fernandes the president of Konkani Heritage Kuwait speaking first eulogized Johny Suratkal for his enormous contribution in the development and promotion of Konkani in Kuwait and assured any help to keep Johny's memory alive. He also assured his assistance on behalf of KHK and also on his personal behalf in case any move is made to help his family back home in Mangalore. Similarly Elvino Rodrigues the President of Kuwait Konknni Kendr in his speech highlighted the plus points of Johny Suratkal towards his cooperation to KKK in the promotion of Konkani language. Ms Ida disclosed her personal rapport with Johny Suratkal who was one of the founders of KCWA and how he enjoyed working closely with the departed soul in the promotion of activities towards the cause of community. Lawry Pinto a very close friend and associate of Johny Suratkal expressed his deep sorrow over this sudden death. Just returned from Mangalore where he went to attend to the funeral of Johny Suratkal, Lawry described the entire proceedings during the funeral and assured the gathering that something will be done to help his family. I personally feel such sincere and dedicated activists and genuine Konkani lovers who neglected their personal and family affairs and embraced their ideological activities should not be ignored. It is the duty of the community to assist Johny Suratkal's family in whatever way they can since Johny Suratkal was the only bread winner. Rosary Ferns renowned Tiatrist and singer with tears in his eyes disclosed how deeply he was shocked to know the death of Johny Suratkal and in case any move is done to help his family back home, he said his contribution will be there. Earlier in the beginning Mario Rebello conducted the Prayer for the soul of the dead. A. Veronica Fernandes while compeering the proceedings described how Johny Suratkal helped to bridge the gap between Mangalorean and Goans thru Konkani. He also described Johny a great journalist and a Poet of high repute. In his death Veronica said Konkani lost a great stalwart and questioned thus: will we get again such a decent, nice, dedicated and sincere Konkani Mogui?
A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait. _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
