.
There are tears in my eyes. A great Goan and someone who I considered a dear master and guru has left a vacuum. I doubt if anyone of this generation can fill his shoes. I will always remember time spent with him in Toronto and in his in Yonkers, New York. He taught at Fordham University, which is run by Jesuits. He posted me photos of the frescoes he was then working. He also gave him his photocopied book of the manuscript of his manddos which came out later in a book. On my visit to his home, he told me that he would want to give his collection of books on Konkani to a library in Goa as long as the library pays for the shipment. I wrote to Fr. Almeida, at the Xaviers Historical Research Centre, and he agree. However, Jose changed his mind, telling me that the priest was a "munglurkar." I don't want he was trying to mean by that statement. I have no idea where the books ultimately went. I invited him for the first Goan International Convention in Toronto, in 1988, and he gave a resounding lecture on Konkani. Even Dr. Olivinho Games traced the history of Konkani in his speech, quoting Dr. Jose often, and Dr. Jose and myself sitting quietly in the audience. After the speech we both met Dr. Gomes and it was a warm meeting. He also latter came for a seminar at the Toronto University and the papers from there were compiled in a book edited by Prof. Narendra Wagle Toronto University) and late Dr. Goelho, of Washington. Known as a lay theologian, he later studied Buddhism and was considered an expert on this subject. He travelled to many conferences to give talks on the religion. Besides, he did his doctorate in Sanskrit and studied art at the reputed JJ College of Art. I think he taught in Portugal but was told to go or fired because he said or wrote something that wasn't pleasant to the Portuguese. He was a Goan but he was a through Indian. He studied Indian culture and religions to the hilt, and also wrote a book on Hindu theology. When he was gathering material for his work on the manddos, he used to travel to remote regions of Goa in short pants, as he told me. Many said that he was a crazy person trying to find who wrote the manddos and other details. Some considered him eccentric, as he would not tolerate fools. After Dalgado, Jose's work on Kokani was intellectually stimulating and profound. Dr. Gomes perhaps comes after that followed by Prof. Lourdinho Rodrigues. Dr. Jose belonged to the rae breed of Goans who devoted much of his life to the cause and promotion of Konkani. His book on the churches of Goa, explaining the architecture of some major churches, was splendid to the core. The late painter Francis D'Souza was his big "bugbear", asking him questions on spirituality and so forth. But both remained sort of friends, sabre-ratting on religion, one a learned spiritualist and the other a known atheist. I also believe he taught at the School of Oriental Studies in London. I believe his daughter was at the same school. I admit I don't know her. I met his wife, humble and simple, just like the wife of Dr. George Mark Moraes. Both women were patient with their scholar-husbands and I tribute to them. At the Goan Convention, I drove both Dr. Moraes and Dr. Jose in my car to the inaugural dinner. The distance about half an hour was covered by interesting conversation between the two. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these two great minds tackling issues of Goa's history and culture. I feel a deep sense of loss and my eyes are full of tears.it was a great pleasure and great fortune to have know and shared his company. He would occasionally write to me and address me as "Eugenio." That will remain forerver etched in my mind, my dear Sir. You served your time well, and many like me will thank you for your wonderful work for Goa, for Konkani and for religion, be it Catholicism or Buddhism. -- RIP, my dear Sir and Guru. Thanks for the many memories and having me as your humble student and for the warm relationship. --- I think the "intelligentsia class" in Goa must appeal to the government to erect a statue of Dr. Jose or, at least, a framed portrait of his at the Goa University. It would be the fittest tribute to the man who spent his lifetime on Goan studies and is an inspiration to students. I think it would be something in the future there comes a student who would want to do her or her doctorate on Dr. Pereira. His immense work and his passion for things Goan, be it history, arts and culture was immeasurable, deserve that Dr. Pereira is critically evaluated. The government must also issue a statement honouring him and his work. Perhaps in the future, GALF should considered holding a special session on Dr. Pereira. In the same light, those groups or bodies doing work for Konkani must come together to honour and pay tribute to one of their own. Dr. Pereira's contribution is unmatched, as I think, in this field and laid the foundation for many works by others to follow. A tribute song or songs by tiarists and singers can highlight Dr. Pereira's contribution to Konkani folklore, taking particular case of his compilation of mandos and dating them, approximately in some instances. Eugene Coreia ----- Dear Netiziens These news of his death was a great shock for me also because I knew him personally and…now…I have to delete his e-mail The suggestion of Mr Correia deserves our applause BUT not a monument but a photo in the Goa University and so I mark cc. to the VICE –CHANCELOR who was born in this ward and grandson of Prof Ramachondra Naik who was even the DIRECTOR OF THE EXCOLA NORMAL Fernando do Rego XXXX---XXXX This is in response to Fernando's post (above). In my haste and also because I was in grief, I was thinking of a "bust" of Dr. Jose Pereira in he hallowed hall of the university (I must admit I have never been there but I assume there must be a convocation hall). A portrait could be fine in the hall or in the gallery of the galaxy of its well-known people from its alumni, if there is one. If there isn't one of its kind, the GU should institute one which can be adorned by portraits of all those who have contributed and won recognition in academic fields. Even those from Bombay, including Dr. George Mark Moraes, who was also the in-charge of the post-graduate centre in Goa, Dr. Aloysius Soares, Prof. Armando Menezes, Prof. Frank D'Souza, Fr. John Correia-Afonso, etc, should have their portraits. Students can learn who these great men were and can google or search for their contribution in their respective fields. I hope the VC takes note of Fernando's message and acts on it. Maybe, pushing the MLAs to pass a resolution in the Assembly would be helpful. Or, perhaps the governing body of the university may be suggested. It's time we honoured those who worked hard to bring Goan history, heritage and culture to the people ar large and to the world. I hope it's realized in my lifetime. -- Eugene Correia These write-ups appeared in Goa-Research-Net, and Goa Book Club, and many FB group pages.
