Reading the messages on Goanet these days, we can be assured of one thing, that
a cure for insomnia will surely be discovered soon failing which a cure for
insanity at least. As a first step towards both these objectives I have started
reading God and You.
Speaking of NRGs, Messengers and doing something for Goa, I know of a quiet man
who does a lot for Goa but who does so without shouting from the rooftops. His
name is Eddie Fernandes and he lives in London. In the two years that I've
known him, I don't know of day which has passed by when some Goenkar-bhav from
England or one who has emigrated to England, has not contacted him, asking him
for help, information, resource, contacts, a place to live, food to eat,
placements of advertisements, help with their businesses and even general
marital advice. To each of these queries, he responds diligently, quietly,
patiently, lending a roof over people's head if need be and food on their
plates if required. At times, I wonder about his patience, his resilience, his
perseverance and sadly I have never been able to match it. I wonder is Eddie an
NRG, who does all this for the Goan community because he sees Goa with contempt?
It is sad that we see contributions to Goa, only in terms of charity or
activism. There is much to be said about the quiet Goan, who goes about his
business, being a good citizen, leading an honorable life, guided by his
conscience and led by his integrity. There is much to be said for contemplation
instead of revolution, for brain-stilling instead of brain-storming, for calm
instead of frenzy for gentleness instead of fury, for reaching out and building
bridges instead of burning them, for loyalty and courage instead of being
bodmass cassette no. 2.
Best,
Selma
