A visit to Asilo de Majorda (Azilant, alberint or Home for the aged) It was not a planned visit. I just remember it as we were passing that way. (Also because I knew one lady who has been recently admitted there).
Last time I Visited Alber was around late 1980’s. Majorda is very famous for it’s Alber(i). This (Alber) must has come from Portuguese word. Perhaps, alberque? Often, we or tiatrist say ‘ Maim alberint asa or alberint vetam’ which is same as ‘Azilant asa or Azilant vetam’ I am sure ‘Azil’ has come from ‘Asilo’ which is again a Portuguese word meaning ‘Asylum’ There was a bust stop near the Majorda Asilo, and when the bus is about to reach there the conductor or the Klindder (Cleaner) of the bus used to shout ‘Alberikode Alberikode, konn deunta, konn deunta’ eaning ‘we are arriving near the Asilo stop, any one alighting? Majorda Calata, is also famous for its St. Roque Chapel which is on the main road close to asilo. And very close to that chapel, I remember many parents with their new born babies used to visit a house (a quack doctor?) commonly known as ‘bhurgeamghe noll moddpacho dotor’ I still don’t know what’s ‘Noll’ or what’s it’s English equivalent or whether this doctor or practice still exist. Ok, coming back to Alber or Azil. The large old Portuguese house (see pic) seems to have donated to Govt or the authorities to run it as an old aged home. This alber must be there long before 1961. It has large rooms with a small famiily chapel/altar (see epic). Inmates: Presently there are about 26 women (this asilo is for women only). They (most) love to see visitors, they love to talk to the visitors. Please visit the one or some near you at least once in your life time. Who know? We could end up there too. Remember AMFT? (Aiz Maka Faleam Tuka). There are about 9 government run Asilos (home for the aged. I got this from the net) Viz. Chimbel, Panaji, Mapusa, Candolim, Margao, Majorda, Loutolim, Chinchinim Cuncolim.. I asked one lady ‘ Koxi asa, tumger kitlim bhurgim?’ How are you, how many sons/daughters you have?. She replied promptly ' amgher konn nam’ none. But later on I was told she has more than 2 but she don’t want to talk about them. A lady has 3 sons and 3 married daughters. All well settled. One son in Gulf, another has his own business and the third works in Goa. Again, two of her grand sons (only sons) are young tarvotti (working on cruise ship). This lady is a mother of 8 (2 died). Yet, there was another lady who joined on her own, It seems, she came straight from her home after her only son (married) slapped her on her face. There was a large room with at least 11 beds/inmates (dormitory type). Besides, these govt. run asilos, I am sure there are at least a dozen more rune by church/nuns and other charity organizations. One Such I notice at Navelim when I was roaming in the feast fare last year. Also, there is one at Benaulim run by nuns. Please come back if you know any others with addresses (if known). Also, it would be nice if any body come back on this: - What’s alber or how we got it ? - Any info on the Majorda Asilo house, its age, owners etc There was a name/marble plaque at the entrance which I only notice in the pic Majorda Asilo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk18/3502400493/sizes/l/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk18/3502401555/sizes/l/ altar/chapel http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk18/3502399621/sizes/l/ [email protected] for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For Goan Video Clips http://youtube.com/joeukgoa In Goa, Dial 1 0 8 For Hospital, Police, Fire etc
