From the Cradle of Konkani history: 7
(contd.)
Fausto V. da Costa
From the cradle of Konkani History_5
This is the fifth instalment of our serialization of the biographical
sketches of those meritorious veterans who have been deliberately or
otherwise denied a place in the book of History of Konkani in spite of
having made an honest contribution in the field of Konkani. We appeal to
our readers to point out any lacunae that might have crept in our account so
that it could be corrected. We also invite them to send any further inputs
so that the information could be updated. We would also be much obliged if
any photographs of these revered personalities were handed over to us so
that the same could be published along with the acknowledgement of the
person supplying the same. (F. C.)
Rev. Dr. H. O. Mascarenhas 1905 - 1973
Msgr. Hubert Olympius Mascarenhas was a nationalist priest hailing from
Socorro, Bardez who has toiled a great deal in the Konkani vineyard. He was
an expert on Oriental studies. He was fluent in 11 European languages and
several Indian ones including Sanskrit. He was a fighter for truth and
justice. Together with Shenoy Goembab, Prof. Armando Menezes, Dr. Mafald
Ubaldo Mascarenhas, Bakibab Borkar and Dr. Sumitra Mangesh Katre, he was a
founder member of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Bombay.
He was the Chairman of the Reception Committee of the All India Konkani
Conference held in Bombay in 1949. He argued in the Conference that Konkani
was quite different from Marathi. He also said that reorganising the Indian
States on linguistic basis was not in the interest of the country, but if
that could not be avoided, then Goa should be made a Konkani State. He was
the Executive President of KBM Governing Body installed in 1950.
In 1952, the KBM began the publication of its monthly Konkani Sad in the
Devanagari script. In the beginning, Dr. Manohar Rai Sardesai was its
Editor and its affairs were managed by Fr. Mascarenhas who later functioned
as its Editor as well. The publication folded up in 1954 for want of funds.
The same publication was revived by J. B. Moraes in 2000; it was a bimonthly
until 2009. It has now been resolved by KBM to publish the same as an
annual on the occasion of Konkani Day.
Fr. H. O. Mascarenhas was so influenced by Mahatma Gandhi that he would wear
a khadi cassock and the Gandhi cap. While studying in Rome, once he was
asked to prepare a citation to be presented to the Pope. He prepared it in
Konkani written in Roman script. When the same was given to the Secretary
to the Pope, the latter returned it and told him to write it in Indian
characters. He spent the whole night transcribing the same in Devanagari.
In this manner, he came to realise the importance of Indian languages and
Devanagari script. It is said that he had a personal library of about
twenty thousand books. He had purchased these books out of his own
resources, but nobody knows what became of them.
While in Goa he was teaching in a Jesuit school in Margao. Owing to his
nationalistic views, there were many complaints against him from official
circles. This went to such an extent that the Patriarch of Goa once pointed
his finger at him and said, "this man has not imbibed Portuguese values."
To this Fr. Mascarenhas retorted, "Yes, Your Grace. Since I studied in
Rome, I did not imbibe Portuguese values but Roman ones. Hence I write in
Roman script." Because of his intense nationalistic activities, he had to
be sent out of Goa. In Bombay, he was Principal of St. Sebastian Goan High
School, Dabul. Even here, his nationalistic views were frownwed upon by the
eclesiastic authorities leading to a ban on his preaching; he was permitted
only to teach. Yet, he continued with his nationalistic activities and
propagated the nationalistic fervour among the youth of Dabul. He would say
to them, "We Christians are originally Hindus. And just as there are
varieties of Hindus, we are Christian Hindus, we are Indians. It is only
when we become good Hindus that we also become good Christians. In this
manner he instilled the love for the mortherland among Christian youth; one
of these was the freedom fighter Anthony D'Souza.
Fr. H O Mascarenhas left for his heavenly abode on February 9, 1973.
Dr. Sushrut Martins 1961-2010
Dr. Shushrut Martins was a renowned Homeopathic physician hailing from
Paitona, Salvador do Mundo. He was an active leader of the students
movement, an accomplished photographer, a great lover of Konkani and a an
able leader of the Konkani Movement.
Between 1988 and 1990, he was the President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Goa
being the youngest incumbent to hold this post.
He has toiled to ensure that Konkani language was included in the 8th
schedule of the Indian Constitution and for getting a Television Centre in
Goa. Some of the many dramas which he has translated from other languages,
directed and staged are: 'Modi ani Modi' (translation), 'Jallmat' and
'Rokhtallem Mollob' the last being based on the murder of a young girl in
his village.
He died suddenly on April 30, 2010 following a massive heart attack when he
was just 48 years old. He was the son of the late freedom fighter, Dr. Jose
Francisco Martins.
(To be continued)
