See submission below for the GOA SUDHAROP GOAN SENIORS E-Book. Please send your submmission to [EMAIL PROTECTED] George
*********************************************** REMINISCENCES OF MY GOAN YOUTH By Nascimento Caldeira Well, how should I start? I was born in village Cavelossim, Goa. Shastikar? Yes, very much so and I was delivered into the world, in the front bedroom of my home, assisted only by a midwife, in those days when Doutor came on horseback! I was the last drop to come to fruition! Only son, so sisters and parents were happy. And here I am, decades later, reminiscing about what I have been all this time. I lived in Goa up until the age of six with only my mother, whilst my father and sisters lived in the big city of Bombay. This divided family life was quite common to Goan families endeavoring to make it in life. I do remember when my folks used to come to Goa for the holidays with huge tins of biscuits and dry fruit, for me and Mai; just like people used to stock up provisions for the monsoon season. I do remember playing slippery slides from the high Sand Dunes, and going to the Beach! Of course, traveling to Margao town, by Carreras the petrol buses from FIAT was quite a treat. In Bombay, I was inducted into St Sebastians Goan High School; I was able to finish 11 years matriculation at age of 15 years, with flying colours, scoring distinctions in Algebra, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, and French; ably assisted by Mr. Keni (Math and Science) and Mr. Kamat (middle school), both Goans, and one Mr. Burde who was so obsessed with English Literature, that sometimes he would take two whole periods of tuition to expound on one line of Wordsworth. Keni and Burde helped make me; and induced in all the pupils the need to learn and excel, not just pass! We also had one Mr. Siddique, a Goan as Drawing and Sports master. To them I am very grateful. Two tram stops away, and we used to alternate from front coach to rear, to escape giving the fare to the tram conductor; or hitch hike a ride in the back of the Ghoda Gaddi! Festival times Christmas and or Easter, in Goa and Bombay were good nostalgia; making of traditional sweets, like neuros, cornbollam, dodol, mandare, pinag, chakli, cake, etc. Neuros stuffed with salt were specially kept for the unsuspecting friendly (?) visitor. The females usually helped each other from house to house with preparation of sweets; and the males did likewise with decorations and running errands! The Christmas Carols serenades and the Mando/dulpod singing/serenading with donated Feni/Uraq of course, from house to house, in both Goa and Bombay bring back sweet memories, of my innocent youth! The Catholic Gymkhanna was a central point for sports and social activity, for me and my friends where we used to meet! Life in Bandra brought about more enjoyable activities, interacting with my (East Indian) Catholic friends as well, at the Bandra Feast and the Bandra Gymkhanna. During the time of my schooling, came about Indias Independence and all the woes that came with it; as also my Papa breathed his last quite prematurely. I could not afford UNI, and had to rely on an Engineering Apprenticeship to achieve my ambitious goals! With a Sea going career and I was happy and prosperous, though not fully satisfied. My career exposed me to a variety of cultures, for a good 25 years in all, and thus earned the name of old sea dog! I went all out to imbibe the best in other cultures and observance thru sightseeing! I became international and I loved it and still do! After Princess Street and Bandra in Bombay, I lived the last 17 years before migrating, in Goa. My large stylish house and home, that I modernized throughout, to a very high standard, enabled the Good Life, and my mother was happy to see her grand children grow up in front of her, in comparative affluence. My mother died before I could get the car and for this I feel bad. The car made it possible for me to travel within Goa and socialize; so I made a lot of friends with the elite as well. In Goa I discovered the sheer beauty of Goas Culture and the Scenic splendor. Most of all I loved the Khell Tiatro, and I made a bee line to wherever one was being performed. Cannot forget the spontaneous Carnival Mischief and the Fancy Dress competitions. Partying, Entertaining and Dancing have always been with me, in true Goan style; and I excelled in it. My wife too was the essential ingredient to our chosen lifestyle in Goa, but she is no more! My kids and self always cherish the good time in Goa. However when I did make a return visit to my Goa in 2004 and 2005; I found it is unlivable so to say! I will stop reminiscing now, lest I erase the good memories, but not without saying: Viva Goa! Viva re Viva! Viva Goan Culture! _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
