A good man not cut out for politicking

By:
Suresh Amonkar
My association with Babush’s (Francis D’Souza) family spans over nine decades. In the early 1930s, my father had moved into a house in the ward of Ansabhat, Mapusa. We were neighbours.
His mother Sophie once told me that she had carried me in her arms as a baby. Later his father Pedro, who was working in the Camara Municipal Bardez (Mapusa Municipal Council) became my close friend as I was elected councillor for two terms extending over 12 years.
His father was a very honest member of the staff and went out of his way to help people, unlike in today’s world where people tend to want to know how they will benefit.
Babush’s family was a cultured one, noble and god fearing and, if I may put it in Biblical terminology, they were good Samaritans. Good neighbourliness and service was their motto in life. I would like to recount an incident that highlights their honourable nature.
In 1946, my father bought New Goa school building, and the plot on which it stood, from his granduncle and the deal was sealed for Rs 10,000. Immediately, a local businessman approached Juliao D’Souza and said that he would give him the amount cash down. Juliao curtly told him, “Utor dilem (I gave my word) and a token of one silver rupee coin was accepted.” Today, unfortunately, even memorandums of understanding are dishonoured on flimsy legal grounds.
Babush’s group of councillors was in power at Mapusa Municipal Council. Though I did not have any political dealing with Babush, he was always accessible to me whenever my friends had any problems. He also readily accepted my invitations for our school functions.
However, in my opinion, temperamentally, he was not cut out to be in politics, because he was a good hearted man and didn’t appreciate politicking. A politician always has to tread a path full of compromises, which was not ever to his liking.
He was a gaunkar of Mapusa and was so popular and respected that he always won the assembly seat with a resounding majority. His popularity lay in his friendly nature and his immense patience to patiently listen to people’s problems. Even after he joined politics he continued to be very accessible.
One of the first Catholic MLAs to join the BJP, he was well trusted by his colleagues. As urban development minister he introduced many projects, which have improved infrastructure facilities in Goa. He helped lots of sports organisations to organise tournaments.
Although he was not keeping in good health these past couple of years and was advised not to receive guests for fear of infection, he didn’t heed to the medical advice and paid the price for it. I was supposed to meet him, but unfortunately he was rushed to the hospital.
In his passing, we have lost a noble soul. May his soul rest in peace.