------------------------------------------------------------------------ * G * O * A * N * E * T **** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May There is no better, value for money, guest house. Confirm your bookings early or miss-out
Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ See submission below for the GOA SUDHAROP GOAN SENIORS E-BOOK. Please send your submission to [EMAIL PROTECTED] There is no deadline. Thank you for your support. Goa Sudharop, www.goasudharop.org ************************************************************************************ Giving back to Goans - A Brief Account of Hugo's contribution to Goan Society By Edwin D'Souza Huge de Souza (Hugo), was born to Joao Francisco de Souza (late doctor) and Thelma de Souza (of Assagao), on September 22nd 1935, at Raia, a village in Salcete (South) Goa. He did his schooling in Loyola High School, Margao (Goa), and his B.A. in St. Xaviers College, Dhobi Talao, Bombay. He did further studies in law (L.L.B.), and since Journalism had just started in Kisenchand College (KCC) in Churchgate, Bombay, he enrolled for the one year course; and won a gold medal for being an outstanding student of Journalism. As a student, chess and Bridge were his favourite games. He has won many cups in Chess. His partners in Chess and Bridge, all Goans, in Bombay, continued their friendly ties with Hugo, long after they parted ways. Those who had settled abroad, would come to Goa on holiday, and make it a point to visit Hugo. When the Portuguese left Goa in December 1961, Hugo returned to Goa in 1962 and soon became sub-editor of A Vida a daily newspaper, circulating in Goa at the time. He later became its editor and Manager and changed the name of the paper to Divtti daily, in Konkani, and continued in the newspaper business till 1975. When the competition in the business increased, he felt he had to channelise his talents elsewhere. In the 1970s, there were several Movements which involved students and adults, in social activism, to fight for just causes of the Goans. For instance, there was the Students Movement, which fought for 50% bus fare, not only in public buses run by Government, but also in private buses. Some of the student leaders, in Colleges, were penalised, and had to, or were made to, quit their studies. Hugo understanding their plight, used his knowledge and skills, to write a Project and get funds to start an NGO called IDEAS. A few students joined together to run the Project in Margao, with links in Bangalore, and this gave the students meaning, direction and objective, in their lives. Much later, they completed their studies, becoming Advocates, Judges, and joining other professions. The original Project IDEAS amalgamated with another one with similar ideas and ideology, and the founder members shifted to Bangalore, because of the Computer Technology available there, at the time, and to-day they reproduce books and print out literature for distribution. Other NGOs and Groups also used Hugos expertise to write out projects and constitutions, for their respective organisations. Besides the Students Movement there was the Ramponcar Movement, the Movement of girls to protect their hostel/Institute, in Panjim, from being demolished. This Institute/building was put under the protection of the Archaeology Department (Archives), and became one of the first Heritage building in the State. Then there was the Opinion Poll, the Language and State issue, and many other Social and Political issues in which Hugo took an active part. But Hugos brainfield was the Movement he started, which he called Citizens for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CCL). He would sit at his typewriter and type endless letters to all concerned, regarding problems facing the Goan people, creating awareness, and suggesting solutions. Networking and other Organizations, he spent his own money, time, energy, knowledge and skills to do all this, and still found time to encourage creativity and initiative in the young and in the old, helping them to discover their talents, and give expression to them. One person who readily admits this is the founder of the NGO called MARG in Margao. Hugo received a lot of mail, and he replied to all the letters he received. He could not travel much, because he looked after his old mother, for several years. Because of his care, she lived to be almost 90 years old, Though he was at home most his latter years, he had a lot of friends of all ages, and some of his friendships were more than 25-30 years old. He believed in relationships, and usually addressed himself to the persons intellect, which he respected. He was voracious reader, and liked to increase his knowledge. His curiosity to know more about his country, took him on a round trip of India. First he went from Madras to Assam in the East, and then he traveled from Kerala to Delhi to Manali. Manali must have been like the Promised Land with its snow covered mountain peaks, the deep valleys, the running streams, and the hot springs. The people too are beautiful, peace-loving and hospitable, speaking mostly Hindi, and Buddhist by religion. Hugo preferred to stay with a family, instead of at a hotel. Since he loved to share his knowledge, he began to teach the young boy in the family, as student appearing for the SSC (final year of High School), the English language, which Hugo loved and spoke fluently. In doing this last act of service to his fellow Indian, he also did a service to Goa. The family was more grateful, and remember fondly their friend from Goa . Hugo met his death on the 21st of May 2002 in Manali, after a brief illness. His family, friends and well-wishers held a Memorial Service for him at Lohia Maidan, in Margao, on 31st May, 2002. _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org