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THE SALIGAO UNION, BOMBAY---III( CONTINUATION) The first Sunday in May every year is the Feast-day in Saligao in honour of our patroness, Mae de Deus. Saligaocars have, therefore, always endeavoured, wherever they may be, to observe this day as of special significance and to offer a Thanksgiving Mass. This great love and devotion to the patroness manifesting itself on the Feast-day is nurtured by the belief that she has showered many blessings on the people of Saligao. This is not surprising considering the fact that the statue of Mae de Deus believed to be over 400 years old was regarded as miraculous by the people of Goa even when it adorned the main altar of the Church in Saligao. Thus, one of the obligations imposed in the Constitution of the Saligao Union, namely, to offer a mass on the feast-day only accentuated a long-standing observance by our people in Bombay. The Union Stalwarts.The task to keep the Union active and vibrant and managing its activities has been the burden of the Managing Committees for these many years. If on scans the names of members of the Managing Committee from year to year, one cannot fail to notice the names of persons who have exerted themselves by sacrifice and service for long periods of time on behalf of the Union. They have willingly devoted much time and energy to the affairs of the Union in a city where the rat-race left them but a limited amount of leisure. Sadly, some of these stalwarts have ere now departed, leaving behind an example for succeeding generations to emulate. A man that comes readily to mind is that of Dr. Eric de Melo who was President of the Union from 1945 to 1948 and again from 1957 to the Silver Jubilee 1960. He guided the Union with great tact and skill combined with unfailing courtesy. The enthusiastic workers of the Union did not rest content with merely arranging the feast-day celebration and the Annual Social. The activities of the Union in the first twenty-five years have been covered at some length in the Silver Jubilee Souvenir brought out in 1960. The Silver Jubilee year itself was marked by a ball at the Greens’Hotel. In the last twenty-five years, the financial position of the Union has been considerably strengthened and is in a better state now than in 1960. The number of patrons has also steeply increased owing chiefly to conversion from other categories of membership. The educational aid programme has been progressive in its outlay. At present we have a good number of Scholarships and prizes being awarded to our children in addition to educational assistance. Functions have been organised to augment the funds of the Union; an Open Air Ball, a Konkani drama, another Ball styled Grand Saligao Ball; an enjoyable picnic was also arranged. Sports too got attention when the Union sponsored a football team in 1965 in the inter-village Goan League and Tournament. In 1966 the Union football team participated in four tournaments conducted by the Goan Sports Club. In one of these it reached the quarter-final. The idea of awarding scholarships began gaining ground in 1976 when an appeal was issued for contributions to Manuelinho Mendonca Scholarship Fund. Much effort was put in by some of the dedicated members to collect the necessary funds; and when further appeals for endowments were made, the Union received substantial funds from philanthropic minded persons towards more scholarships and prize…to be continued. By Mr. Alfred J. D’Souza. and compiled by Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas.. |
