A Tribute to Lambert Mascarenhas: Journalist par Excellence Today, at a time when journalism is passing through turbulent times, when media houses are facing huge losses, journalists are being laid off and when governments are stifling dissent, the death of Lambert Mascarenhas is a huge blow to journalism. Lambert symbolised an era of journalism that was intellectual, and in which journalists fearlessly spoke truth to power. Born to an illustrious doctor in the quaint sleepy village of Colva in Salcete, Goa, Lambert began his early education in Poona. Later, he graduated from the prestigious St. Xavier's College, Mumbai in English Literature. He began his career reporting for Bombay Standard, after which he joined 'Bombay Sentinel' and 'Onlooker'. All hell broke loose in the year 1948, when on a visit to Goa, he wrote columns on the political situation in Portuguese Goa. Soon, the government took notice of his writings and he was sentenced and put in prison. One of the crowning moments of his career came in 1956, when he became editor of the 'Goan Tribune', succeeding Prof. Aloysius Soares. The Goan Tribune espoused the cause of Goa's freedom and Lambert was very passionate about this cause. In fact, he vowed not to get married until Goa was liberated! Later after Goa's Liberation, Lambert co- founded the 'Navhind Times'. As Editor, he was very accommodative and listened to the views of his colleagues. In 1966, he founded the monthly magazine 'Goa Today' and became its first editor. An author of numerous publications, Lambert's most famous work is 'Sorrowing Lies my Land'. In this work, he wrote about the so- called 'Exodus' of people from Goa, due to unbearable curbs on people's rights and of course the availability of better life. Ironically, Goa faces an almost similar situation even today- migration of people abroad, the defections of elected representatives, corruption, false promises, neglect et cetera. Overall, his articles revealed a deep understanding of issues that plagued Goa and provided for good insights. A recipient of myriad awards, Lambert was awarded the Laxmidas Borkar Memorial Award for journalism in 2004. He has also been awarded Goa's highest civilian award, the Gomant Vibhushan, besides, the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India, in the year 2015. Mascarenhas leaves behind a rich legacy of journalism that very few people can match. May his soul rest in peace!
Anish Esteves
