Dr. Olivinho Gomes laid to rest

Dr Gomes laid to rest

July 31, 2009

Writers from the Konkani literary field and academicians paid their final tributes to noted Konkani proponent Dr Olivinho Gomes, whose body was laid to rest at the Taleigao cemetery on Friday. Pundalik Naik, Victor Albuquerque, Yusuf Shaikh and Tomazinho Cardozo were among those who attended the funeral ceremony and earlier visited the house of the noted writer. Over a thousand people attended the ceremony. Cardozo, who is the President of Tiatr Academy, said Dr Olivinho was the only person who worked in both, Devanagri and Roman scripts and his death was definitely a loss to the Konkani literary world. He said even in his death Dr Olivinho left behind a jewel, a book titled The History of Konkani Literature in Roman Script, which he wrote for the Dalgado Konknni Akademi in English. The book had been proof read and they were to get his approval for printing the book, he stated. House mournsThe House today mourned the death of the noted writer Dr Olivinho J F Gomes, who passed away on Thursday.Speaking on the obituary reference moved by Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today said that in Dr Gomes’ death the State has lost a real son of the soil.“Dr Gomes was an able administrator and possessed tremendous knowledge,” Kamat said in the House adding “he wanted to make some sort of contribution to the State of Goa.”Kamat continued that the professor of Konkani has written over 40 books “which are well known not only in the State and country but even abroad.”Dy Speaker Mauvin Godinho also joined in mourning the death by saying “We have truly lost a true Goan.”In his obituary reference Sequeira said “the professor was a true Konkani lover.”“We must salute him as he left his top job and joined the Goa University dedicating his life to the language,” he stated.St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes said that Dr Gomes had a lot of love for Konkani and wanted to give recognition to Romi Konkani.“He worked a lot for Konkani and loved Goa and the language,” she said adding “We need to realise his dream.”PWD Minister Churchill Alemao said that Dr Gomes was of the opinion that the identity of Goans will survive only on the Konkani language and nothing else.

http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=25355&cid=26