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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.
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