Goan who served as Portugal's Consul General in Calcutta hits a century Goanet News
Kolkata-based Goan Diogo Piedade Jose Simplicio Fernandes, or Peter as he was fondly called, completed his century on March 2, 2019. Born to the late Francisco Xavier Fernandes of Quitula, Aldona and the late Maria Elisa idalina Souza of Kotla, Saligao in 1919, he studied in his early days at St Thomas School in Aldona before moving to Calcutta (which was then under British Rule) after his father died at an early age. He married Maria Pascoela D'Cruz (Mary), of Aldona, who is now 88. They have three children. Mr Fernandes grew up during the Second World War, and has seen both Portuguese and British rule in India, The Independence of India, the Partition, the Bangladesh war in 1971, the end of Portuguese rule in Goa, and other important events in history. He was a Portuguese Consul General in Calcutta from 1953 to 1958. He had the privilege of being associated with Saint Mother Theresa in her early days during the formation of her Missionaries of Charity organisation. Diogo or Peter as he is known to his fellow Goenkars, was a thorough gentleman and someone who bought cheer and hope wherever he went. He valued honesty and integrity above all things and was very hard-working. He grew up during the Portuguese rule in Goa, and his parents taught him to appreciate and be grateful for what he had. He lost his parents at an early age and was taken to Calcutta but his love for Goa. He used to come regularly to Goa and stay at Saligao and Aldona. Though at Kolkata, his heart is in Goa though his frail health does not permit him to travel and undertake such a long journey. Though he endured hard days he never made it known to his family or others around. He learned to shoulder responsibility at an early age having lost his parents and his mother was his main guiding light. He continued to work right up to the age of 85 which kept him both mentally and physically fit. "His longevity can be attributed to a long happy marriage and a great extent to his daily early morning walks and never having vices. Diogo has a quiet dignity, respecting himself the way he respected others. He has treated others with utmost respect and kindness. His character has been the foundation of his conscience. He never let others down. He was there for people when they needed him the most. For him peace was more like happiness," his family told Goanet News. On his centenary birthday, he has had a stream of visitors since last week February -- the Archbishop of Kolkata, numerous priests and nuns, members of the Parish community, near and dear ones besides members of the Catholic Association of Bengal, members of the local political bodies, wellwishers and not forgetting the Ambassador to the Portuguese embassy and the Consul General at Kolkata. ### Contact Mr Fernandes via bffernandes2...@gmail.com or ashleyffernan...@hotmail.com