Thank you Goenkars, wherever you are

I was extremely touched by the generosity of the Goans when my younger sister Aisha de Sequeira informed me that my late father, Erasmo de Sequeira, was being felicitated along with 30 other Goans who made the Opinion Poll a success. I am sorry I was unable to attend the event on Tuesday. 

I know that my nephews – Erasmo (8), Alexander and Nathan (6) – were there to celebrate the many achievements of their late grandfather, as they looked up at him and he looked down on them. I can see my father in them, as I watch them grow; Erasmo writes poetry, Alexander has a passion for music and signing. Nathan’s dancing comes from my father. Dancing was not my father’s forte.

Being a senior academic and hopefully by now, having some years of wisdom, I understand that children of academics, like children of politicians like me, have to learn to share their fathers, with their father’s academic children. At that time, I resented the people that I had to share my father with. That said, I now know that our home in Campal, which was our home for over 40 years, was filled with the love of the Goans from all over the world. That love my mother, sisters and I, took to fill in our home in Dona Paula. Every time, I come to Goa and pass Campal and go on the Jack de Sequeira road and then pass my late grandfather’s statue, I say to my grandfather – Papi, I can never come home but I can come to Goa and feel the love from the people that knew you and daddy and gives me a special Goan love because of you – Thank you Goenkars – wherever you are.

Erasmo, son of the late  Dr Jack de Sequeira and Dona Lilia de Sequeira and grandson of the late Mr Erasmo and Dona Julia de Sequeira, was committed to traditional Goan family values and followed in the legacy of his illustrious father. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his father and worked tirelessly along with his father and other members of the United Goans Party, in the success of the Opinion Poll, a landmark event in the history of Goa. As a Goan I know that other Goans will not forget the contribution of Bab Erasmo, as he was known to many.

My father was an innovator, entrepreneur and visionary. He filled a room with his person and presence when he walked into it, in the same manner in which I can feel him fill this room where I pen this article, with his presence, today. As a boy I was envious of the fact that I had to share my father, my daddy, with the people of Goa and the people of India, his Goenkars and unka Bharat. Now, having the wisdom of some years I know that my father was born to serve. I sometimes believe that I am able to do certain tasks in my life because I was afforded the opportunity of having Erasmo de Sequeira as my father. He instilled in me the pursuit of excellence and always encouraged me to change the goal posts each day I grew such that I could always strive to attain my own excellence. This is what I say and have said to my children (my students) for over 22 years.  His are indeed big shoes to fill.

My father believed in Goaness. Mhojea bapain, aplem jivit Goem anik Goenkarank bhetoilem. Mhaka dista, aiz pasun, to, Goem and Goemkaran pasot Deva lagim magta. 

He started a Coca Cola franchise at the age of 21 laying the foundation stones with his own hands as my mother, then his fiancée, watched as the woman behind the successful man. Today is indeed about continuing his legacy but I cannot talk about my father without mentioning my mother, Maureen de Sequeira, as theirs was indeed a true partnership.

My father was instrumental in the formation of the United Goans Party. He was elected to Parliament in 1967 at 29 and served as a member of the opposition until 1977. He was extremely fond of the late Mrs Indira Gandhi and was extremely saddened when her life was extinguished early. She encouraged him on numerous occasions to join her Congress party, he was, however, a true member of the opposition. He strongly believed that India’s democracy needed a strong opposition. He was honoured to accept one invitation of Mrs Indira Gandhi when she deputed him to Caracas as a delegate of India at the “Parliamento Latin Americano” at the height of the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971. He was successful in getting a resolution passed supporting India on the East Bengal situation. His Parliamentary speeches, documented in the numerous parliamentary proceedings, were always vigorous topical and relevant. 

He was an educationist and a pioneer in the field of vocational education. He was also extremely proud of his Catholic upbringing and managed both the visit of Mother Teresa the visit of Pope John Paul II to Goa. He has also an artist, poet and writer. My mother released copies of a booklet of his poems on the occasion of the Erasmo de Sequeira memorial lecture in December 2002.

He was never afraid to speak out when the need arose and his writings mainly in the political arena are well documented in the local press in English, Konkani and Portuguese. He wrote a column for the Onlooker for several years and as a boy, I was proud when I read the writings of my father. Proud to be his son, and even more proud to have him as my father.

My father and sister Aisha were very close and she was indeed one of the apples of his eyes. He would be extremely proud of all her achievements today. He would have enjoyed seeing his grandsons grow as my mother continued to worry about them, as she did for us when we grew. 

My father was very proud of my sister Dr Amita de Sequeira and would have been proud of her achievements as a surgeon in England and immensely grateful and intended to her for making the great sacrifice to return to Goa to run his business. 

I continue to be proud to be Goan.