The Kathapatt Series VII, an international webinar seriesdedicatedtothe studyofKonkanishortstories, was successfully organized by Ashawadi Prakashan in association with St. Xavier's College, Mapusa, Dhempe College of Arts & Science, Miramar, and in collaboration with the Goa Konkani Akademi, Dalgado Konkani Akademi, and the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi. The valedictorywebinarwasheldon25Julyat4:00p.m.Theprogrammewasinauguratedby Ms. Ursula Barreto, Principal of St. Xavier's College, Mapusa. Dr. Ramu Murthy, Principal of DhempeCollegeofArts &Science,Miramar,gracedtheoccasionastheChiefGuest.Duringthe event, Fr. Luis Gomes released the first eBook, Kathan (Nagari), published under the KBS (KonkaniBeyondScripts)mission.Threeprintpublicationswerealsolaunched: Novi Disha, Monica Dsa Irenald's Karnataka KonkaniSahityaAkademiAward-winning collection of short stories, was released by Fr. Chetan Lobo; Kathan (Kannada) was released by Dr. Austin Dsouza (Chicago);and Kathan (Nagari)inprintwerereleasedby Anju Sakhardande.
Amongthe distinguishedguests presentwere Dr. Chandralekha Dsouza, Prakash D. Naik, Jane Edwin Dsouza, Dharma Chodankar, Andrew L. D'Cunha,and Dr. Charles Lobo. The webinarwasablymoderatedby Valley Quadros
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_George birthday is on 3rd June
Ms Zita Usha Fernandes Elected Secretary
MANGALURU: The Diocese of Mangalore held the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted DiocesanPastoralParishad(DPP)for the 2026–2028 term on Thursday, July 30, 2026, attheBishop’sHouse Hall in Kodialbail, Mangaluru. Most Rev. DrPeter PaulSaldanha, Bishop
of Mangalore, welcomed the gathering, setthevisionforthenew triennium, and presided over the day's deliberations, which focused on implementing Pastoral Plan 3.0
and driving synodal renewal across thediocese.
The assembly commenced at 9:30 AMwithasolemnprayerserviceled by representatives of the Episcopal CityDeanery.Following theopening prayer, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha delivered the welcome address and formally greeted the
delegates, afterwhichthemembers present were individually introduced to the house. Very Rev. Msgr Maxim L. Noronha, Vicar General of the Diocese, then presented the official reports outlining past achievements and future pastoral goals, before proceeding to guide the house throughtheofficialelectionprocess.
In the elections conducted for key office-bearer positions, Ms. Zita Usha Fernandes from Neermarga Parish, representing the City Deanery, was elected as the Secretary of the Diocesan Pastoral Parishadforthe2026–2028 tenure.
The house also elected representatives to the Executive Committee (Working Committee) and state and national consultative bodies:
• Catholic Council of India (CCI) Representatives: Mr Santhosh D'Souza and Ms LinetteFernandes
• Catholic Council of Karnataka (CCK) Representatives: Mr Denis D'SilvaandMrAlwynD'Souza
Following the elections, Rev. Dr Rudolph Raj Pinto, O.C.D., representing the CCBI Commission for Liturgy, addressed the assembly on "Pathways for the ImplementationPhaseoftheSynod: 2026–2028." He outlined strategic directions to translate synodal consultation into concrete action plansacrossparishesanddeaneries.
In his presidential message, Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha congratulated the newly elected
secretary, executive members, and delegates. Highlighting the roadmap ahead, the Bishop emphasized the imperative need to effectively execute Pastoral Plan 3.0 across the diocese, ensuring that commission plans are systematically implemented at the diocesan,deanery,andparishlevels.
Bishop Saldanha stressed adopting a synodal spirituality in every pastoral discernment, placing primary emphasis on God's grace. He called for a vibrant transformation of the Catholic community through active pastoral outreach and collaborative participation among all commissions andthelayfaithful.
Themeeting concluded with avote of thanks proposed by the newly elected Secretary, Ms Zita Usha Fernandes, followed by a blessing over the fellowship meal. Representatives from all deaneries of the Diocese of Mangalore were present. Rev. Fr Roshan D'Cunha compered theday's programme.
THE COCKROACH JANATA PARTY: THE
AMAZING UPRISING OF INDIA’S GEN Z.
By Pascal Alan Nazareth
Author of ‘Gandhi’s Outstanding Leadership’ & ‘Gandhi: The Soul Force warrior’ books
Theongoing uprising ofIndia’sGen
Zisamazingformultiple reasons:
It is intrepid & non-violent despite being confronted with tear gas, water cannon, lathi charges, pellet guns.
Itissecular & inclusive, with both sexes & those belonging to all religions &castesjoining it.
Itsprimeslogansare“JaiBhim”(For Bhim Rao Ambedkar) & “Jai Samvidhan (for Constitution of India)” and not the widely used slogansofrecentyears,“JaiSriRam”
&“JaiHanumanki”
It is India wide with protests in multiple Indian cities & also worldwidewithprotestsinLondon,Berlin, Prague, New York, Los Angeles & Vancouver. Its growth is phenomenal, with approx. 1milliononlinemembers & 22 million Instagram followers within 60 days of its May 16, 2026, founding. It has secured wide spectrum from reputed educationist/environmentalists (SonamWangchu), Student Organizations (AISA, SFI & AISF) ,Politcal leaders (Arvind Kejriwal, Brinda Karat, Kapil Sibal, Mohua Moitra, Rahul Gandhi, Sagarika Ghosh), film actors (Dia Mirza, Genelia Deshmukh. Richa Chadha, Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj & Vir Das), SocialActivists (AnnaHazare,) & all religious communities
particularly Sikh Gurdwaras which have provided its protesters food, water, medications & shelter for those injured by the brutality of police/security forces.
CJP’s biggest success is in dissipating the long prevalent, widespread fear of punishment & securing Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. This is the first time this has happened, inPrimeMinister Modi’s 14-year authoritarian rule
CJP’s continued, determined & fearless protests have been widely acclaimed by diverse celebrities some of whom have lauded it as a new“Freedom Struggle”. Arundhati Roy has averred “For the first time in years, it feels wonderful to be Indian. Just when hope seemed lost, the Young Roaches came riding inontherain”.
Brinda Vasudevan wrote in Frontline: “Gen Z and Cockroach JantaParty(CJP)arerevolutionizing protests in India, utilizing memes, reels, and irreverent humor to challenge traditional government responses. Their protest, is packaged with effervescent joyand
digital acumen&haveturned every government attempt to delegitimize it into more content neutralizing officialnarratives.”
Though CJP’sprime focushasbeen on the152 NEETpaper leaksin the last 12 years & on securing Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, its concerns have been much wider. How well it has diagnosed the numerous nefarious ways in which the Narendra Modi Govt has undermined constitutional governanceinIndiaisclearlyseenin the five-point Manifesto carried on itswebsite:
1.No Chief Justice shall be granted aRajya Sabha seat as a postretirement reward.
2.If any legitimate vote is deleted, theChief Election Commissioner shall be arrested under theUnlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as taking away voting rights is "no less than terrorism".
3.Women shall receive 50% reservation without increasing the strength ofParliament &50% of all Cabinetpositions shallbereserved forwomen.
4.Allmedia housesowned byAdani & Ambani corporates shall have theirlicencescancelledtomakeway for independent media; Bank accounts of "Godi media anchors" shallbeinvestigated.
5.AnyLegislativeAssemblyMember (MLA) orMember of Parliament(MP) whodefects from onepartytoanothershallbebarred from contesting elections and holding publicofficefor20years
Louis Fischer had extolled Gandhi’s “Salt March” as “Insurrection without arms”. Judith Brown had lauded it as “a superbly ingenious choice”.
Webb Miller’s report about this march & the subsequent one on DharasanSalt works was carried by over 1000 newspapers worldwide. New York Times had averred that whereasBritainhadlostAmericaon tea,itwaslosingIndiaon salt!TIME magazine “Insurrection without arms”. Judith Brown had lauded it as“acommunications masterpiece” madeGandhiits‘ManoftheYear’& puthimonitsJanuary4,1931, front
CJP’sJuly20 “SansadChalo” march can similarly be described as “Insurrection without arms” & “a
communications masterpiece” Almost overnight Prime Minister Modi’s image as a ‘Vishwaguru’ & renowned world statesman who was being honoured by diverse countries withtheir “highestcivilian awards” was transformed into a brutal authoritarian ruler who gets his security forces to tear gas, lathi charge & fire pellet guns at educated & unemployed students, very many of them women marching peacefully & unarmed towards Parliament to present their grievances to its members. Photos & videos of these brutalities reached millions across India& the world before sunset the same day and have also done so in the subsequent days.
Since Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March there have been numerous ‘Insurrections without arms’inIndia & other countries. Most notable among the ones in India are Jay Prakash Narayan’s 1974 ‘Sampoorna Krantimovement, 1990 Anti Mandal movement, Anna Hazare’s 2011 Anti-Corruption movement, Indian farmers Nov
2020/ Nov 2021 anti-three farm laws agitation & the 2026 Gen Z Cockroaches protest. In countries aboard the most notable ones are those led by Martin Luther King in USA, Lech Walesa in Poland & VaclavHavelinCzechoslovakia. The last mentioned aptly described themas “PowerofthePowerless”. Ofallthementioned “insurrections” the most unique is that of the Cockroaches. Faced with
humiliating denigration & great brutality, it battled fearlessly & innovatively, on the ground & in cyberspace, with effervescent joy, irreverent humor &digital acumen, & radically changed the praxis of protest movements &how political leaders & their modes of governance should be judged. Noneoftheothers havefacedsuch mega challenges & achieved so muchaminimal time frame.
The Revolution has begun….!
*Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ
• TheRevolution hasbegun… Onthe afternoon of 25 July, the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan finally submitted his resignation. It wasakeydemandoftheCockroach Janata Party and for thousands of other agitating students and youth all over the country. There were massive celebrations all over! The protests at Jantar Mantar were called off! In2019, anarticle in the ‘Caravan’ named him the ‘money man’ for the BJP! When he was Petroleum Minister, the stateowned ONGC gave Rs668 crore to RSS–linked organisations as part of its CSR. It is common knowledge that he amassed huge amounts of money as the education minister. The resignation of the education
minister, however, is just the beginning, thetipoftheiceberg!
•
• TheRevolution hasbegun…But isit from the frying pan into the fire? The appointment of another hardcore RSS man, Prahlad Joshi, to succeed Pradhan is certainly no solution. Everyone knows that! In March 2022, in the height of the Russia-Ukraine war, when Indian students studying there had to be brought back. Joshi famously said, "Ninety per centof Indianswho studymedicineabroadfailtoclear qualifyingexamsinIndia." Hehurt thesentiments ofmanythen.When the rapists of Bilkis Bano and the oneswhobrutallymurdered herkin were prematurely released a few years ago, it was he who defended their premature release. The Supreme Court then annulled the remission period granted to these rapistsandmurderers. Tothinkthat this man now presides over the education and future of our youth is,formost, totallyunacceptable.
• The Revolution has begun…the youth protesting in Jantar Mantar
andelsewhere were loud andclear. They would never allow xenophobia, exclusivism, sectarianism or anyform of bigotry to permeate their ideals, their dreams, their hopes for a better future. They visibly and vocally demonstrated in nouncertain ways that they were first and foremost citizensofthecountry,studentsand youth.Theywerewithoneheartand one mind, transcending the confines of every religion. They belonged to every stratum of society. No one could divide them and pit them against each other. Not the fascist, fundamentalist agenda of the regime. They were determined not to fall prey to insidious designs. With the Constitution in hand, they chanted in unison, "Weareone,weshall overcome!”HumHongeKaaba!”
• The Revolution has begun…Arundhati Royisoneof the most celebrated and renowned Indian personalities today. In a hard-hitting and incisive article in ‘The Wire’ (dtd. 22 July 2026) entitled ‘Cockroach Democracy: Unarmed and Dangerous’, she writes, “Forthefirsttimeinyears,it feelswonderful tobeIndian.Just whenhopeseemedlost,theycame. Youngroachesriding intherain. Theprogenyoftheunholyunion betweenajudgeandajoke….The cockroachestookthecapitalcityby storm.Theycamebytrain,bybus, by air, by metro, their numbers increasing by the hour. Hours beforethefirstraysofsunlightlit Delhi’smonsoonskies,theybegan topourintoJantarMantarinthe tensofthousands.Bysunriseitwas clearthatagenerationofdesperate andfuriousyoungpeoplewhosaw theirfuturesnuffedoutbeforetheir eyeswasgoingtoreclaimwhattheir parents and grandparents’ generations had conceded: our dignityasapeopleandasacountry. Our rights as citizens of a democracy.
• The Revolution has begun…thousands of students, youthandothershavecomeouton the streets all over the country: in perhaps every big city and small town, in district headquarters and eveninvillages. Thiswasnotapaid mob mobilisation – as this current Government doessooften! Itwasa spontaneous uprising, giving riseto theirangst,theirsenseofoutrage at what is happening to them, to the
whole educational system, to the fact that twenty-one students had committed suicide because of the NEET paper leakage. It reminded one of the ‘Arab Spring’, of what happened not too long ago in neighbouring Nepal and Sri Lanka, and they have come out in hordes everywhere in protest. Besides, in several countries across the world there have been protests in solidarity withwhat ishappening in India. All major civil society organisations andmovements have issued powerful statements of support tothestudents.
• The Revolution has begun…in Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, the sight was unbelievable. Something never seen in recent years. Groups of students walking together, singing as though they were on a picnic. There were droves of them. Shouting slogans, of course: “Modi hatao!DeshBachao!”People were rubbing their eyesand ears!This in Ahmedabad of allplaces! Well, it is happening! Some were detained! Therewerethousandsofpolice and security (with guns and armoured vehicles) in the Gujarat University area. They could do nothing. The students/youth were not ‘in
assembly’ – just walking. And can anyone stop people walking? They were walking for change! The political masters, of course, will never forget the ‘Nav Nirman’ agitation of 1974 and how a government wasoverthrown!
• The Revolution has begun…Indian academic and social analyst Pratap Bhanu Mehta, in an article, ‘Cockroaches’haveshownuswhatit meanstobecourageous citizens — notsubjects’ (Indian Expressdtd 27 July 2026), does plain speaking, saying, “Thefarmers’agitationhad made the government withdraw legislation.Butthisisthefirsttime that the government has acknowledgedtheneedfortaking responsibility and being held accountable…There are glorious momentswhentheyouthofthe nation demonstrate thattheyare indeed the genuine trustees of posterity, to borrow Benjamin Disraeli’sphrase.Agenerationthat hasbeencatastrophicallyfailedby their elders, who bequeathed to them authoritarianism, communalism, afailingeducation system, an administrative state marked by impunity, and an atmosphere of suffocating fear,
decided to take their future into their own hands. They made a regime and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, intoxicated with fantasiesoftotalpower,lookoutof touch,smallandridiculous.Byitself, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhanwillnotbringchange.But India’syounghaveshownthatthe regimeisvulnerable.Wecanstill pullbackfromtheabyss.”
• The Revolution has begun… Rhiya Ahir courageously demonstrated the power of one: the power of youth, thepower ofwomen! On22 Julyshe wentto the protest rally in Shivaji Park, Mumbai. As she was walking towards the venue, she noticed a police van packed with youth who were detained by the police. The sight immediately disturbed her, and she says, “The vanwasstuffedfromthefrontto theback.Therewasnospaceto stand.” She did not know anyone inside. She plucked up courage to stand in front of the van, not allowing it to proceed. What followed was a heated exchange with the police. They knew they were wrong, Rhiya asserts. They finally relented and released all the youth they had detained. The
defining pictures and videos of Rhiya preventing the police van frommoving wentviral!
• The Revolution has begun… godimedia has been singing the tunes of the ruling regime to no end. The mainstream media has been bought up, corrupted, coopted, and threatened. For several days, they did not take cognisance of the Jantar Mantar protest. The prestigious UK newspaper ‘The Guardian’ (26 July 2026) in a lead analysis piece, ‘India’s Cockroach Janta party protest victory signals trouble ahead for Modi’, puts it succinctly, “Modi had also lost anothermediumcriticaltotheBJP’s domination over the national narrative–themainstreamTVnews channelswidelyacknowledged to have been co-opted by the BJP governmentoverthepast12years andturnedintomouthpiecesforits right-wing Hindu nationalist ideology. Initially, the channels ignoredtheprotests,andwhenthey didcoverthem , itwastosuggest the protesters were being bankrolledbysinisterforeignforces and Pakistani terror groups. In response,theprotestersturnedon thechannels,usingsocialmediato
expose their “lies”. When the protestsescalated,Modiremained conspicuously absent from the airwaves.Interestingly, since times are changing, godified media, like chameleons, is also changing colours. Foreign media have editorials andarticlesonthis!
• The Revolution has begun…the ‘SansadChalo’ marchto Parliament on20Julywasproof enough ofthis fact! The fact that hundreds of thousands, from all walks of life, began this historic march was a breakthrough in the recent annals of the country. There was panic among the ruling regimes. They sparednoeffortstostopthemarch. All police and paramilitary forces were called out. Thousands of the marchers were baton-charged, beaten, and pellet guns were used against them. Many had to be hospitalised. This ensured a groundswell ofprotests allover the country. On 27 July, the Supreme Court said, “Therighttopeaceful, lawful protest absolutely guaranteedundertheConstitution. Solongasitispeacefulagitation, merelybecausethereisagitation, therecan'tbelathi-charge. Police excessesmustbeinquiredinto.”The
Biharyouth arestill underattackby the ruling regime. They seem to have forgotten that in 1974, the JP AndolanbeganinPatna,Bihar!
• The Revolution has begun… The Jantar Mantar protest was about reclaiming shrinking democratic space in the country. And wow, it succeeded tremendously – with a profound impact everywhere. The right to dissent is back on the big canvas. People are out on the streets. It is significant that whilst delivering the 4th Justice GP Singh memorial lecture at the National LawInstituteUniversityinBhopalon 25 July,Supreme Court JusticeUjjal Bhuyan referred to the right to dissent. He said, “Itwillnotbean exaggeration to say that public space for expressing divergent opinionisshrinkinginIndia.The righttoexpressone’sviewsandto demonstrate peacefully are fundamentalfreedomsguaranteed tocitizens.Debateanddissentare the essence of democracy…Unfortunately, even normal activities are being criminalised.Studentsprotestingon campusesarearrested,andtheydo notgetbailfor30to40days.They aresuspended,forwhichtheymust
gotocourt.Ittakestime.These issuesraiseseriousquestions.” The last thirty-five days have been changingthings!
• TheRevolution hasbegun… against corruption. Youth are not going to take things lying down anymore. Not only corruption in education, but which has permeated every stratum of society. Beginning right at the top. There is a lack of accountability and transparency. Much has to be addressed, like demonetisation, electoral bonds, thePMCaresfund,andnowtheE20 (TheE20JanataPartyisontherise). More questions will be asked. Where did the RSS and BJP get enormousamountsofmoneytoput up palatial buildings everywhere? What about the crony capitalist friendswho profitatthecostof the poor and by looting the country? What about electoral malpractices: the manipulation of the EVMs and the meticulous disenfranchisement, through SIR, of thousands of legitimate citizenseverywhere.
• The Revolution has begun …In a strongly worded statement on 27 July, the Cockroach Janata Party said, “Weareobservingacomplete breachoftheagreementregarding
no police action against the protestors. Hundreds of students have been arrested in Bihar and Bengal, and hundreds are being shrivelled/harassed in Delhi and otherstates. Multiplereports are emerging in Delhi around the detentionofvolunteerssupporting protestors with logistics. We demandthatalltheFIRsagainstthe protestors be immediately withdrawn, students be released , andnofutureFIRsbefiled(inline withouragreement)byDelhipolice /Centralinvestigative agencies/ PoliceinBJP-alliedstates,FAILING WHICHWEWILLBEFORCEDTOSIT ON PROTEST AGAIN. We also demandthatthewrittenagreement aroundlegalcasesbesharedwith usby tomorrow, along with the aligned timelines with the Government of India.” Yes, the protests arenotaflash-in-the- pan!
• One has had enough of references to the past: from the French Revolution to the Quit India Movement! The Revolution has begun indeed…. And there is no looking back!
• 27 July 2026
• (*Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is a renowned human rights,
The Veez5- Legendary Icons
Every generation produces a few exceptional individuals whose influence transcends time. They becomethefacesthatdefineanera and thevoices thatinspire millions. Their journeys continue to fill the community with pride, reminding future generations that extraordinary dreams can emerge fromordinarystreets.
In this segment, we pay tribute to five legendary icons from Mangalore and Goa whose remarkable journeys have brought honourandpridetoourcommunity.
Through their exceptional talent, unwavering dedication, and outstanding achievements, they have left an enduring mark in their respective fields. Their stories continue to inspire generations, reminding usthatgreatness isborn from passion, perseverance, and a deepconnection toone'sroots.
1)NevilleDʼSouza
Born on 3 August 1932 in the picturesquevillageofAssagao,Goa, to Catholic parents, Neville Steven
Joseph D'Souza emerged asone of the greatest footballers India has ever produced. Blessed with exceptional goal-scoring instincts andakeen eyeforfinding theback of the net, he was widely regarded as one of the finest strikers to represent the Indian national footballteam.
Playing under the guidance of the legendary coachSyedAbdulRahim, D'Souza became anintegral partof India's golden era in football. He etched his name in history during the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, where he became the first Asianfootballer to score a hat-trick in an Olympic football match, achieving the remarkable feat againstAustralia.
A gifted all-round sportsman, Neville D'Souza was equally accomplished in field hockey. He represented various teams in domestic and international competitions, showcasing his versatility andpassionforsport. His outstanding achievements in both football and hockey made him a
true sporting icon and a source of immense pride for Goa and the nation.
In recognition of his enduring legacy, the Mumbai Football Association instituted the U-17 Neville D'Souza Trophy, an interdistrict tournament that brings together some of Maharashtra's most promising young footballers. The competition serves as a platform for nurturing futuretalent while inspiring young players to follow in the footsteps of one of India'sgreatest footballing heroes. His legacy was furtherpreserved in 2018 with the inauguration of the Neville D'Souza Football Turf atthe Bandra Reclamation Sports Complex in Mumbai. Built to FIFAstandard dimensions, the state-ofthe-art facility was named in his honour andinaugurated byAaditya Thackeray, then Chairman of the Mumbai District Football Association (now the Mumbai Football Association). Today, the ground hosts youth leagues, domestic competitions, andtraining sessions, ensuring that Neville D'Souza'snamecontinuestoinspire generations ofaspiring footballers.
Offthefield,NevilleD'Souza shared a happy family life with his wife, Lyra, and their three children. His passionforfootballraninthefamily, as his brother Derek also represented India andlaterbecame the manager of Mahindra United. Neville passed away in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 16 March 1980 after suffering from brain hemorrhage.
2)MarioMiranda
Apassionfordrawing fromanearly agelaidthefoundationforMariode Miranda's extraordinary career as one of India's finest cartoonists. Born toGoan Catholic parentson 2 May 1926, his distinctive illustrations celebrated the humour and vibrancy of everyday life. His artistic brilliance was recognized with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and posthumously, the Padma Vibhushan.
MariodeMiranda completed his
schooling atSt. Joseph's Boys'High School,Bangalore,andgraduatedin History from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Although he briefly studied architecture at his parents' insistence, his true passion was art. In 1949, he began taking up illustration assignments and spent hours sketching people and everyday life in cafés, restaurants, and taverns, experiences that later becametheinspiration forhisiconic cartoons.
Over the years, Mario de Miranda authored several acclaimed books, including LaughItOff , Goa with Love , and GermanyinWintertime . He also served as the creative assistant for the 1980 war film The
SeaWolves , starring Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, and David Niven, further showcasing his artistic versatility beyond the world of cartooning.
Mario de Miranda's ancestral home in Goa was featured in Shyam Benegal's acclaimed 1985 film Trikaal. Benegal lateracknowledged that both the house and the Miranda family had profoundly influencedhisportrayal ofGoanlife inthefilm.
In1988, Mario was also featured in theiconicnationalintegration video ‘MileSur Mera Tumhara’, appearing alongside some of India's most distinguished personalities fromthe fields of art, cinema, literature, music,andsports.
Mario de Miranda's legacy continued tobehonored evenafter his passing in2011. InMarch 2012,
the Goa Legislative Assembly paid tribute to him with an official obituary reference, and in 2013, a road junction in Mumbai was namedinhishonor, recognizing his immense contribution to Indian art andculture.
3)GeorgeFernandes
George Mathew Fernandes was an Indian politician, socialist leader, trade unionist, and journalist who became one of the country's most prominent opposition figuresinthe decadesafterindependence.
A native of Mangalore, George Fernandes was the son of John Joseph Fernandes andAliceMartha Fernandes(néePinto)andwasborn on 3 June 1930. Initially trained for thepriesthood inBangalore,helater movedtoBombayin1949,wherehe became deeply involved in the socialisttradeunionmovement.
Rising as a powerful labour leader, he organized several workers' movements and led the historic 1974 railway strike asthe president of the All-India Railwaymen's Federation. In 1967, he defeated veteranCongressleaderS.K.Patilin the Bombay South parliamentary election, marking his entry into
national politics. During the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, Fernandes went underground in opposition to the government beforebeing arrested intheBaroda dynamitecasein1976.
Fernandes held several important Union Cabinet portfolios over his career, including Industries, Railways,Com munications, andDefence. As Railways Minister (1989–1990), he was a driving force behind theKonkan Railwayproject, which significantly improved connectivity along India's western coast. As Defence Minister (1998–2004), he served during two defining events: India's1998 Pokhran-II nuclear testsand the1999 Kargil Warwith Pakistan.
Beginning asasocialistandlabor activist, he later founded theSamata Partyandbecameakey
architectoftheNationalDemocratic Alliance (NDA), helping bring together diverse regional parties. He was elected to the Lok Sabha nine times, primarily representing constituenciesinBihar, despite having begun his political careerinMumbai.
George Fernandes was a gifted linguist who spoke ten languages: Konkani, English, Hindi, Tulu, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Malayalam, and Latin. His mother tongue, Konkani, remained an important part of his identity and connectiontohisroots.
Inhislateryears, hewithdrew from public life after developing Alzheimer's disease. He died on29 January 2019 and was posthumously awarded thePadma Vibhushan in 2020 for his contributions topublic affairs.
The life and political journey of George Fernandes have been extensively documented by historian RahulRamagundam inhis acclaimed biography, The Life and Times of George Fernandes. The book offers a detailed account of Fernandes's transformation from a young Mangalorean activist into
one of India's most influential socialistleaders.
4)OctaviaAlbuquerque InthepagesofMangalore’shistory, thereareafewnamesthatshinenot because of power or wealth, but because of the lives they touched. Among them stands Octavia Albuquerque, a pioneering woman whose journey from a prominent Mangalorean family to a respected social leader remains an inspiring chapterinthecity’slegacy.
At a time when public life was largely considered a man’sdomain, Octavia Albuquerque emerged asa womanofcourage,compassionand conviction. She not only broke barriersbyenteringpoliticsbutalso
dedicatedherlifetoservingsociety, becoming a role model for generations.
OctaviaAlbuquerque ofMangalore, fondlyknownas“OttyBai,”wasborn on 18February 1924. Thedaughter of a Deputy Collector, she later married Cyril Albuquerque, heir to thehistoric A.Albuquerque & Sons Tile Factory, founded in 1868 by Alex Albuquerque. She lived at the family’siconic “Sea View”bungalow in Bolar, closely linked to Mangalore’s tile industry and heritage.
ItissaidthatwhenPanditJawaharlal Nehru came to Mangalore in 1933, he first landed at Sea View, the Albuquerque family residence on thefactorycampus, andthen taken in procession to attend a public meeting inFalnir.
OttyBaiwasaremarkably down-toearth and unassuming personality who was always ready to extend a helping hand to anyone in need. Even in her eighties, she remained full of energy, enthusiasm and passion for social service. Her dedication to helping others never faded, and she continued her
humanitarian work with immense love,commitment andpride.
Her inclination towards public service and social causes was perhaps also influenced by her father, who played an activerole in the Salt Satyagraha movement in Mangalore during India’s freedom struggle. This environment helped nurture in her a sense of responsibility towards society and encouraged her to work for the betterment ofpeople aroundher.
Oneofher significantcontributions wastheestablishment oftheLadies Social Service League, along with a group of around 30 to 40 likeminded women from Mangalore. The organization was formed with the noble objective of reaching out to the sick, elderly and those in distress. The members regularly visited hospitals and homes, offering care, comfort and support topatientsandfamiliesduring their most difficult moments. Under her guidance,theinitiativegrewbeyond its initial efforts and expanded into various areas of Mangalore, including Hampankatta, Bijai and Urwa. There were also ambitious planstoextendtheservicenetwork
to rural areas, reflecting Otty Bai’s vision of making social welfare accessible to a wider section of society.
Shewasalsoafoundermemberand closely associated with the growth and development of Cheshire Home, Mangalore, an institution dedicated tocaring forpeople with disabilities.
Octavia Albuquerque broke several barriers through herleadership and service.Shebecamethefirstwoman Vice-President of Mangalore Municipality andthefirstwoman to chair a municipal standing committee. She later served as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council and was honoured with several accolades, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award and the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Gold Medal from Pope Paul VI. She also created history as
the first woman President of CASK (Catholic Association of South Kanara),serving from1983 to1986.
With the passing away of Octavia (Otty bai) Albuquerque on 9 March 2016, attheageof92, animportant chapter inthehistory of Mangalore cametoanend.
5)Henry Thomas D'Souza ("GuitarHenry")
Henry Thomas D'Souza, affectionately known as "Guitar Henry," was one of the pioneering figures in the history of Konkani music. Although his life was tragically cutshort attheageof 42, his contribution to Konkani music was profound and continues to influencegenerations ofmusicians.
Hewasborn on25thMarch1931 in Modankamp inBantwalTaluk,but it isnotknownexactlywhenhisfamily
hadcometoMangalore. Thefamily had a house in Attavar and he belonged toMilagresParish.
Henry was a gifted multiinstrumentalist who mastered the guitar, mouth organ, harmonium, violin, flute,andtrumpet.
Konkani music lovers cannot have enough of listening to the evergreen Konkani song ‘Juliana Juliana moga muja Juliana...” immortalized by the soothing and soulful voice of legendary Bollywood singer late Hemant Kumar. Thesong hasstood the test of time because of its catchy tune and meaningful lyrics, which continue to touch the hearts of Konkani music lovers. Manypeople may not know that this popular song waswritten andcomposed by the late Henry Thomas D'Souza (acronymHenryTD'Souza).
During the 1960s, when Konkani music was still finding its identity, Henry played a pivotal role in popularizing it.Hecomposed music for all 26 Konkani plays written by the renowned playwright Giri Chickmagalur (G.D'Souza), creating timeless melodies that became
immensely popular. His ability to transform simple themes into memorable tunes earned him widespread admiration.
Henry was also among the earliest composers to bridge traditional KonkanimusicwithWesternmusical styles. His songs, including "Bapaiche Sthan," "Moga Tuji Chinthna Mothinth Yethana," "Radonk Yetha Thuka Chinthana," and the waltz "Kaliz Tuvem Mujem Chirley," became classics. He was originally chosen to compose the music for Tisri Chitt, the first Konkani feature film from
Mangaluru, but prior commitments and his untimely death prevented himfromcompleting theproject.
Themonth ofMarchholds aspecial place in the life story of the legendary Henry Thomas D'Souza. It was in March that he was born, marriedEmilianaon30March1970, and, tragically, lost his life in an accident on 29 March 1973, just a day before his third wedding anniversary.
The couple’s older daughter Jane Doris wasborn in1971 followed by second daughter Merlyn in1972 in quick succession. Following Henry's
untimely demise, his wife Emiliana courageously took on the responsibility of supporting the family. She worked in the Gulf for several years before settling in Mumbai, where she ensured her daughters received a good education and a secure future. Today, both Jane and Merlyn are happily settledwiththeirfamilies.
Henry’s untimely passing was a tragic loss, not only for his family but also for the Konkani music fraternity. According to his wife Emiliana, Henry met with a tragic scooter accident while returning home after stepping out with a friend to collect dinner from a nearby restaurant. Although hewas conscious and able to speak after the accident, delays in medical treatment proved fatal. He underwent surgery the following eveningbutsadlypassedawaysoon afterwards.
Manyfeelthatif Henry wereto live his full life, he would have reached greater heights and attained international eminence. Despite his short stint onthis earth,he hasleft behind a deep-seated inheritance
for which Konkani community will remaingratefulforever.
Manypeople mayconfusehimwith the living legend Henry D'Souza of Mumbai, fondly known as "Katrina Henry"afterhisevergreenhit"YeYe Katrina" and for other popular Konkani songs such as "Bombai Sheher," "Shirley," "Alice Bai," and "Abdullah." Although both have made remarkable contributions to Konkanimusic,theyaretwodistinct personalities, each leaving an enduringmarkontheindustryinhis ownuniqueway.
Wehopeyouenjoyed thissegment and that it brought back some
cherished memories while introducing you to inspiring personalities and stories. Your encouragement motivates us to continue exploring and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of our community.
We look forward to receiving your valuable feedback, comments, and suggestions. Every message from our readers helps us improve and inspires us to bring you more engaging and meaningful content. Your thoughts aretruly appreciated and play an important role in shapingthefutureofthissegment.
Start by dry roasting chopped bhindi in a hotpan until its perfectly dry and no longer sticky. Transfer to aplate. Next lightly roast freshly grated mature coconut until aromatic. Then roast some garlic & green chillies until they are lightly browned. Take your bhindi, coconut, garlic, green chillies into ablender jar. Add a lemon sized ball of tamarind and some salt.
And pulse itall together into a thick course paste
Serve this with love as aside dish and enjoy this.
Itstangy, spicy & absolutely game changing.
Source and inspiration: DrNanditha from Sharan with her permission.
This isasmall effort to aware about thevegan recipes and to live alife withoutmedicines.
-Roshan Dsouza, Kinnigoli
Education Excellence - Empowering India Awards 2026
Mumbai, Jul.30: We are proud to announce that Ryan International School, Malad (ICSE/ISC) has been recognised as the Winner for the State of Maharashtra at the prestigious 4th Edition of the
EducationExcellence – Empowering India Awards 2026, held in New Delhi. The award was received by our Director, Dr. Snehal Pinto, from Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Education, Government ofIndia,inrecognition of the school’s outstanding contribution to educational excellence, innovation, holistic development, and academic leadership.
-RonsBantwal, Mumbai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he wants to forgive the protesters involved in the recent events at Jantar Mantar, describing them as "our children" who had "lost their way" and should be guided rather than punished.
In a video shared on Instagram, Modisaidhewaspersonally abused duringtheprotest andthatevenhis late mother was targeted with abusive language. Calling the incidentan"uglyspectacle", hesaid mistakes are partof youth and that
society should help young people correct them instead of dragging themthrough court proceedings or subjecting them to harassment.
Using theanalogy that"our tongue sometimes gets caught between our teeth, yet we do not break our teeth", Modi appealed for compassion, saying the country should learn from mistakes and move forward together.
Theremarks come amidcontinuing political debate over the Jantar Mantar protest, with opposition leaders and civil society figures sharply criticising the prime minister's response while supporters welcomed hisappealfor reconciliation.
Bondel, July 30: The renovated auditorium of St Lawrence English Medium School, Bondel, was inaugurated in a grand ceremony on Thursday, July 30, marking the beginning of the much-awaited Resonance–2026 cultural fest.
The renovated auditorium was inaugurated by Dr Cyprian Monteiro, Retired Director of Education,Karnataka,bycuttingthe ribbon. Miss Remona Eveatte Pereira, Chief Guest of Resonance–
2026 and a distinguished Bharatanatyam artiste, inaugurated the cultural fest by releasing the official banner. The auditorium was solemnly blessed by Rev. Fr Basil Vas, Joint Secretary of the institution.
Miss Remona Eveatte Pereira was felicitated for her extraordinary achievements in Bharatanatyam. Addressing the students, she inspired them to dream higher, believe in themselves and never
give up their “crazy ideas.” Her motivational words were followed by a captivating Bharatanatyam performance that enthralled the audience.
Dr Cyprian Monteiro was also felicitated in recognition of his remarkable achievements and contribution to the field of education. Addressing the gathering, heurged thestudentsto make the best use of every opportunity provided bytheschool and to utilise them to realise their full potential.
Presiding overtheprogramme, Rev. FrBasilVascalleduponthestudents to draw inspiration from the lives and achievements of Remona and Dr Cyprian. He expressed heartfelt gratitude toMrMichaelD’Souzafor his generous sponsorship of ₹10 lakh towards the renovation of the auditorium and other projects. He
alsoacknowledged thecontribution of former Joint Secretary Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, who initiated the project, and congratulated PrincipalRev.FrPeterGonsalves for successfullytransforming thevision into reality. The programme was colourful,
vibrant and systematically organised, reflecting the school’s
opportunities to showcase their abilities. The cultural competitions commenced with Bharatanatyam, scheduled for July 30 and 31, with several other events to follow.
The dignitaries present on the dais included Rev. Fr Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Parish Priest; Mr John
D’Silva, Vice President of the PPC; Mr Manish Santhosh Mascarenhas, VicePresidentofthePTA;MrsHelen Mary Fernandes, Headmistress, St Lawrence Aided School; and Miss Maria D’Silva, wife of Dr Cyprian Monteiro.
The Joint Secretary also gratefully
acknowledged andfelicitated those whocontributed significantly tothe renovation and upgradation of the auditorium. MrNaveenPrakashVas, for undertaking the ceiling and interior works, while Mr Ravi F. Saldanha for the installation of the air-conditioning system.MrDeepak and Mr Mithun for their dedicated efforts in carrying out the electrical
works and other essential technical work.
The inauguration of the renovated auditorium and the launch of Resonance–2026 thus became a memorable celebration of achievement, culture, inspiration andcommunityspiritatStLawrence EnglishMediumSchool, Bondel.
I,(Dr. AustinPrabhu)will beinMangalurufrom September 18th to October 1st. If you would like to meet me at St. AloysiusUniversityduringtheirKonkaniprogram on September18th , please attend the event.
