MARCOS GONSALVES
CHANDOR: Just the previous evening Inacina Dias was seen happily chatting with her son, working in the USA, on phone. The next morning she received a message that her young and only son was shot dead at his workplace in the USA.
Herald found Inacina Dias, the mother of the 25-year-old John Dias, in absolute shock hearing the news of her son’s death on Monday. And with her, the whole village of Chandor, in the beautiful recesses of Salcete, is a state of inconsolable grief, especially young footballers who remember John as “charming and humble.”
Hearing the news about the death incident of John, Herald visited the house (a rented room) of John at Igorjebhatt, Chandor. Mom Inacina was sitting on a chair at the entrance dazed. Her son had assured her that a new house will be built for her, upon his arrival in Goa very soon.
John was the only son of her mother and only bread earner. They both had dreams to fulfil, but everything shuttered.
John had managed to run the house by working hard after he lost his father a few years back. He had taken all the responsibilities on his shoulders. He always wanted to keep his mother happy. John used to work on cruise ships before joining stores in the USA.
On Monday the news about the death of a young footballer spread like a fire in the whole village of Chandor, and neighbouring villages, as he was very much known to many because of his sporting abilities, and his humble approach. His circle, including other football colleagues, rushed to visit his mother.
Herald also witnessed hundreds of villagers walking towards his house at Igorjebhatt, a rented room of the landlord Agnelo Fernandes.
“John had called me on Sunday evening at around 5 pm, and we had a lengthy discussion for almost an hour. He was happy and was discussing with me about the dream of building a new house as usual. However, in the morning hours of Monday I got the message that he has been shot dead at his workplace place in the USA”, said Inacina Dias.
She had no words to speak, but tears in her eyes.
A young John was not only a loving son of her mother but humble to all the villagers, mostly the youth.
“John was a simple and humble boy. He was very jolly. I have known him since his childhood, as he was very obedient. It was shocking to hear the news of his death, and that too in a tragic incident”, said Agnelo Fernandes.
He further said that the youth like John was forced to go to the USA in search of work, as he was finding difficulty in getting a job in Goa.
“Goan youth are forced to go abroad to earn their livelihood because there is no employment in the State. Maybe he would have not lost his life, if he had worked in Goa”, he stated.
Agnelo also appealed to the government and other concerned authorities to help John’s family, in order to bring the body back to Goa.
Derrick Pereira, member of Chandor Football Club, and panch member said John was one of the key players of the Chandor club for a very long time.
“He used to do goalkeeping for the Chandor team. Our club had won several games and tournaments, as he had contributed a lot. It is very shocking to hear the news of his death”, he stated.
Joy D’Silva, General Secretary of Chandor Sports Club said John was one of the upcoming players of Chandor.
“He was playing for our club under 12-team, besides the inter-village tournaments. John was a very good goalkeeper. He had to cut short his football career because of his financial difficulties at home”, he stated.
Arnaldo Costa, General Secretary of Curtorim Gymkhana expressed shock over the death of John. “It is sad to know that a young Goan footballer from Chandor went to the USA for better prospects, not knowing that he will die like this. His memories will remain forever in our hearts especially on the football field”, he stated.
