Team Herald
MARGAO: Perhaps for the first time after Liberation, Margao’s Rua Abade Faria saw the Portuguese flag and heard cheers of ‘Viva Portugal’ as Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa visited his ancestral house on Thursday.
A large crowd was awaiting him as his convoy reached the house, and he was welcomed by a group of Manovikas School student singers.
Speaking to the Portuguese media in Portuguese, Costa said, “My father lived here in the past and had two brothers. In India there is a tradition to stay in a joint family and my uncle married, came back to Goa and lived here, while my father stayed abroad.”
Costa also said his cousin cooks good food and was given a warm welcome by his aunt and cousin.
Victor Fernandes, a wine store owner from Margao, came in at the Costa house and showed an album to the PM which had the photos of his father Orlando Costa when he had visited Goa in the past. The photographs had been clicked by Audhut Kamat from Panjim. Some other visitors gifted books to the PM.
The PM came in with a Chef who prepared Indo-Western food. Costa’s two-hour long lunch with the family which was a private affair. The PM left around
3 pm having signed many autographs and shaken hands with several people.
Artem D’Silva, a neighbour of Costa who had once played with him, said it’s great to have the PM of Portugal in Goa. “He came 40 years ago and we played in the compound and it’s a great memory to have,” he said.
Anna Karina, Costa’s cousin, said, “We wanted to spend more time with Antonio and hence we called in a chef to prepare food for us. It was a relaxing time for him.”
Chaya Borkar, a Margao neighbour of Antonio met him while entering his house and said, “We are proud of you; we all are very proud that a Goan, and that too our neighbour, is leading Portugal today.” To which the PM replied with ‘Muito Obrigado’.
