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A new book club focused entirely on writing about Goa
First meeting: November 18, 2010 @ 5pm @ Broadway, 18th June Road, Panaji
Details at: http://ttt-goa.notlong.com or SMS 9822122436
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Those of us studying in Monte de Guirim and have passed outt in 1968 and of
course those who have discontinued for various reasons but are still included
in 1968 batch. Fondly we have named ourselves as Monte de Guirim boys of
1968.Some from these group met today again after a month at Monte de guirim and
when we stood on that hill after a long period of time tears rolled down our
eyes when we saw that we have stood very high on the mountain of life. We began
with the Holy Mass at 11 am Fr.Paul Alvares was the main celebrant of the mass
and we thanked the Lord for bounty blessings all us have received. The group
was little bigger than last time. We had Peter, Alban, Alex, Rozendo,Assumption
Aguiar Aguiar (the great man of monte de Guirim) Tony Lewis, Herman Rego,
Robert Louzado, Albert Goveia, Nogueira,Benjamin Rebeiro,Ambrose,Joe De
Cruz,and most of us had come with our spouses and when our wives stood up on
the hill of Monte de Guirim they were not prepared to come down th
e hill to be back home. For those who do not know what Monte de guirim was
earlier read further.There were about 700 boarders or more. they were of
different sizes and different ages. One man was enough to keep everyone on
their toes. That was the great Fr.Efrem. Of course the other priests also put
in their effort. There were four big domitries. One for the big boys, one for
the juniors, one for those in fifth and sixth. The last one was for primary
.The senior boys woke up at 5.15 am. They had to march out straight to the taps
for wash, wear white pant and shirt and march to the chapel for mass.The senior
and junior boys heard mass together and when this mass was over the other boys
went to the chapel. From there we had to come in a line to the refractory for
breakfast . There were long tables and benches and the tea glasses were placed
in the centre of group six . once seated you take your tea and bread was
served. Take as much as bread one can eat. No wasting. Bread was
prepared at Monte Bakery. Butter jam one had to buy and the same was kept in
safe custody. Then we go back to the domitory to change to school uniform then
march to the study room till 8.45 or one had the liberty to visit the toilet
but not the whole time. after school tea and march to the ground for games.
Then bath either group bath at the well where water flowed from the pipe or
individually in bathrooms at the top or hot water on payment . Then go to the
study at sharp 6 pm till 8 pm then rosary then dinner and at nine sleep. Once a
month a movie was shown to us. Every sunday we were given pork and every feast
day we would get cakes and nice food. That was life at Monte de Guirim.What
every one today remarked was that the priest never thought about themselves.
Their main aim was to put us on a high pedestial at any cost. Unwanted waste of
time , masti was not tollerated. We had dedicated priests who got no salary ,
neither the society got any money from the government. W
e paid 35 rupees a month as boarding fees, and 7 rupees a month as school fees
and many who could not pay must have paid less. We had servant boarders who
paid nothing but they used to do some menial work like sweeping but ate the
same food. We had our own pigery, and buffalo stock. Those who could pay would
get bananas, eggs, milk .There are many who cannot be contacted .Incase you
come across any one from 1968 batch of monte de guirim please inform them about
our activity. Some ofthem have passed away. We have Bing Dias, Fr.Felix Ferrao,
Assis, Jagganath Blaggan who were with us in 1968 but they are no more on this
earth. Like wise we are missing many of our priests who have passed away like
Sir velloso, Fr.Efrem, Fr.Chrysosthom, Thomas Mendonca, Rocha and Fr.Fortunatus
who were our beloved teachers at that time
If any one of you have ill feelings about your monte de Guirim teachers please
do not express. Yours faithfullyAlbert de Souza
