Ribandar is a historically rich village. The name Ribandar is a combination of two words, “Rai Bandar” meaning the “Dock of Royalties” or “King’s Harbour”. Today, on the occasion of the centenary birthday of my fellow Ribandarite late Dr Sanvlo Keni, I am happy to write a few lines in honour of the great son of our beautiful village of Ribandar. I am sure that no one likes to fall sick and visit a doctor for treatment. But as a primary school boy, I was very happy whenever I fell sick.  It was a great opportunity to meet Dr Sanvlo Keni at his clinic cum home at Patto Ribandar. 

The medicines prescribed by Dr Keni were very bitter and tasted like kodu kiratem. But the gentle touch and warm overflow of feelings from the heart made our Dr Keni a unique human being. I was unlucky as I never had the opportunity to spend time with my paternal or my maternal grandfather. But Dr Keni filled up the void.  Meeting Dr. Sanvlo Keni during medical consultation was like spending time with my very own grandfather. For Dr Keni treating his patients from his very own Ribandar and the surrounding neighbouring villages was not a profession but a great mission and a passion. Dr Keni always offered a bit of his heart to all those who visited him at his clinic cum home at Patto Ribandar so that they were happier when they went back home. He was a very special doctor who not only prescribed medicines but also healed his patients with his unparallel love and gentle touch. I am sure that Dr Keni will be a role model for all those who are aspiring to be doctors in our village.

Dr Keni had a great passion for theatre and drama. Interacting with Dr Keni helped me to learn a lot about theatre and drama.  He always enthusiastically spoke about William Shakespeare great plays Julius Caesar and Hamlet and also advised me to read them.  Dr Keni was able to vibrate his passion for drama and theatre on to me. In February 2018, on the occasion of the chapel feast of Our Lady of Remedious, I will be staging my first Konkani Tiater “Prachit”.  I wish our Dr Keni was alive to see me and our dramatic troupe performing on stage. 

 Today is a great day for all the citizens of Ribandar as the Kala Academy is all set today to host the centenary birthday celebrations of its former vice chairman and great theatre personality, Dr Keni.

Today, on the occasion of the centenary birthday celebration of Dr. Keni, I appeal to the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu to ensure that the junction at Patto Ribandar is named as “Dr Sanvlo Keni Junction” by the Government of Goa in memory of his father-in-law and great son of Ribandar.