As announced, the funeral of the late A. B. Fernandes was held in his home village Colva Cemetry preceded by a Mass at Our Lady of Merces Church which was filled with capacity crowd consisting of his friends, colleagues, relatives and well wishers.
The above was distributed in the Cemetry
Before the starting of the Mass, one of the local priests in his brief speech highlighted the good aspects of A. B’s life and the good deeds he committed when he was alive. Though the speech was good yet it lacked the required punch and contents which the local priests will never know. A.B’s work in Kuwait and his contribution for the cause of Goan community is a volume of books and this volume is known only to the persons based in Kuwait. I don’t know why these priests from Colva want to interfere in the matter of which they have no knowledge. Even last time when another Colvacar Rosary Ferns died, the local priest Fr. Alvares spoke something like a baby who being a “kalcho porcho potto”, knew nothing of Rosary’s work in Kuwait. In the same way today the local priest did for A.B. Next time they must confine their involvement only in the subject that comes under their purview. They should not act too smart in everything.
The body is taken to the Cemetry
Though there were lot of people for A.B’s funeral yet sadly found missing in the crowd were the members of the local Konkani Associations. There was not a single leader of Goan Konkani association, neither from Romi side nor from Nagri side when A.B. from Kuwait has done so much for the cause of Konkani. Worst part of the whole scenario was this that not a single member of now defunct Novem Goem Committee attended the funeral of Novem Goem Kuwait stalwart and Chairman A.B. Fernandes. Novem Goem Kuwait committee was formed to assist financially Novem Goem Goa committee but sadly none of its members had human heart to attend to this funeral. With the exception of Dr. Rebello who is already expired some years back, the rest namely, Adv. Clovis D’Costa, Adv. Antonio Bosco Lobo, Adv. Christopher Fonseca, Adv. Mulgaocar and the main person of NG movement Gurunath Kelekar are alive but all of them have failed in their human hearts. It is not only negligence but ingratitude of highest order which is normally deeply engrossed in wild animals.
There are so many leaders of Konkani movement in Goa from both the camps Romi as well as Nagri but even they proved how ungrateful and uncultured they are. During those difficult days if Kuwaitcars had not to support Konkani movement in Goa, today Konkani would never come to the point where it is reached now. And since the late A.B. played a dominant role from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani, I feel every leader of Konkani was obligated to show his face today for the funeral of A.B. If Konkani movement is suffering in Goa it is only because of its leaders who are crooks and selfish. These people don’t deserve any award for doing good job for Konkani but they deserve kicks for ignoring the sterling feat of genuine Konkani promoters mainly like the late A.B. Fernandes. It was not an easy task to work in Kuwait for Konkani cause as we along with A.B. worked and especially during those critical days. Those who are in Goa will never know the sacrifices we did along with A.B. for raising huge funds for Konkani cause. For this reason, the promoters of Konkani cause from Kuwait are forgotten, just as the late A.B.
While proposing the vote of thanks, A.B. Fernandes' daughter eulogized her father's qualities in the family and outside and thanked everyone for attending this funeral.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.