SATURDAY, MAY 04, 2024
Ajit John
The poet is a complex creature. He or she may simply be the creator who writes poems or may also perform their art to an audience. They can present complex ideas that can create a storm in society. In the Goa of today with its myriad problems that are too obvious to ignore, the intellectual class have been presenting their thoughts at regular intervals by way of the various media, novels or the theatre. Now a book of poems by Bernedita Pinto has hit the stands. Called ‘Our Goa- So full of Sunshine and Splendour’ it is a book of 55 poems on various subjects in which Goa stars.
When asked what prompted her to write the book of poems, Bernedita said she had a passion for writing since her childhood. This book she said was dedicated to Goa and was a token of her love for her homeland. She said, “Poetry is like a flower-bud, unless it is opened the beauty is concealed. As it opens the splendour transpires and enriches everyone who can inhale its fragrance. My poetry book is like a flower. The thought lies dormant in the bud stage but once I pen them down, it transpires into a poem. And it carries amusement and inspiration to the eyes and mind of the reader. I love my Goa which is my homeland and motherland and my dedication is unfathomable as Goa roots Goans to their origin by love and unity which we hold and share. This we do not get in other countries if we move or migrate”. She went on to say that the family, friends and neighbours strengthen the Goans existence with exuberance. This meant they would form a nest of support whether it was for happiness or grief, whether it was a birthday, wedding or a funeral. Goa, she said, provided each other with solidarity.
Bernedita said her book exposed realities and realizations as her poem talks of Goa and the situation the state was facing. She said, “I have written about Mhadei which is our river for centuries. If we lose Mhadei our river bank will face drought and the flora and fauna along with the fishes will be affected. I have also written about the war in Gaza and Ukraine refugees. I empathise with their plight as it is so inhuman and painful to see the families suffering and living on the streets without proper food and hygiene. I have also written a poem about our dads to whom we can never repay our gratitude to them for all their efforts and endeavours to the children. Best of all I always dedicate a poem or two to our country India which is so vibrant and colourful with diverse cultures and traditions yet we remain united in our patriotism and brotherhood. Finally there is a poem about the earth and its kindness to humanity”. She has written a poem on drug peddlers. In it she says the people involved are not the main people and the main people were sitting somewhere else. Justice she said should go for the people sitting in the background.
When asked about the title behind the book, she said for most of the year Goa was full of sun and sand and Goa had now escalated in splendour. She said Goa now has the Zuari bridge which links cities to cities and we have the casinos which attracts lots of tourists. She said when she travels by flight with her son, the men on board were all coming to Goa for the casinos. This is certainly helping the economy. Our Goa is beautiful. No one has to go to Macau. It is a tourist attraction.”
The book also includes a satire. Titled the Minister’s Birthday she said the ministers kept brimming with pride and would have no problem asking everyone individually for their votes but if you went to them then it was different. They could manage to do something that could help scores of people but not the individual. She said they should be willing to help in whatever way possible.
Writing a book is an exhausting experience. For Bernedita it took her a year to write the book. She said the idea would gradually build in her mind and then when she writes it, it would inspire her readers.
Finally there were also poems on women. She said, “A woman should be respected as she procreates and governs generations. But just as much women seek respect, a woman must also respect man and not tarnish man’s dignity with false allegations. In the end, women depend on men for coexistence. And man admires women for her quality of femininity and virtue of motherhood”.
The book has something for everyone and should inspire its readers.
