By Tomazinho Cardozo
ahan Mhozo Des’ is an audio album of Konkani songs on National Integration. The album is scheduled to be released tomorrow (June 28). The album is dedicated to the late Rajaram U Pai. He was a freedom fighter and my teacher. Many of my friends ask me the reasons for producing an audio album of songs on National Integration. Hundreds of audio and video CD’s are produced every year in Konkani.
Unfortunately there are no albums produced on songs of patriotism. This album intends to fulfil that need. This is the first reason. The second reason is more important and meaningful.
It was in June 1960 that I came in contact with Rajaram Pai. Goa was under the dictatorial regime of Portugal then. I had just completed my primary education in Portuguese in the Escola Primaria de Abade Faria in Candolim. I had passed fourth standard of Portuguese and my mother wanted me to go for an English education. The nearest English schools for me were St Joseph High School, Arpora and Mater Dei Institution in Saligao. I could not dream of getting admission in these schools due to my poor financial conditions. Some one informed us that there was an English medium school in Verem, Reis Magos in which the tuition fees were considerably less. I got admission in that school. The name of the school was ‘Pupils’ English School’ which is presently known as Pragati High School. Its principal was Rajaram U Pai. I was permitted to study in Std II. The present day Std X was equivalent to Std VII then.
The education in the Escola Primaria de Abade Faria was focused on Portugal, its history and culture. The syllabus was such that there was no opportunity to learn anything about India. The history subject fully dealt with kings, queens and wars that Portugal fought and won in the past. The students were totally kept in the dark as far as the history and culture of India was concerned.
When I joined Pupils’ English School at Verem I found that the atmosphere there was completely different. Majority of the students in my class were Hindus. In fact we were 10 students out of which I was the only Christian. There was no influence of Portuguese language and culture at all. On the contrary I could get information about Indian dances and songs from my colleagues in the class. Nevertheless the most interesting character was none other than the principal himself. He used to teach mathematics to us. He was an excellent maths teacher. Whenever there were any cases of indiscipline in class or if someone was not paying attention or did not do their home work, he would give examples of the lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawarhal Nehru, etc in order to correct the behaviour. He used to speak about the heroism of Bhagat Sing and Subash Chandra Bose. Whenever any opportunity arose he always stressed on the greatness of our country India.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister of India then. He used to proudly say that Chacha Nehru was people’s Prime Minister because he was elected by the people of India. He used to take pains to explain to us how people used to elect their representatives in the neighbouring Maharashtra. And in a lighter tone he used to remark, "We (Goans) also will get that precious right to vote one day". He was courageous because he dared to talk to us that way when the movement to free Goa from Portuguese dictatorship was becoming more and more intense.
Finally Goa was liberated on December 19, 1961. A huge victory procession took place. When it was passing through the PWD road in front my house at Orda, Candolim, I saw my principal in that procession shouting slogans, ‘Bharat Mathaki Jai’, ‘Mhatma Gandhiki Jai’, etc. At that time I recalled all that he used to tell us in the classroom and realised that he was a freedom fighter. When we went back to the school after the Christmas vacation in January, I could see my teacher very happy and contented. Along with the liberation of Goa his voice too had become louder, fearless and clear. Earlier he used to tell us about India only inside the class room. Now he used to take at least five minutes of school morning assembly time, daily, in order to give us a lot of information about the sacrifices of the people to free India from the British rule.
He taught me for five years till I reached SSCE. I wrote my first poem when I was in SSCE. The name of the poem was ‘Bharat Mhozo Des’. It was published on one of the newspapers in Konkani in Roman script. It was a great boost to me. I composed many poems on India and its leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Goan freedom fighters, etc. Nothing was planned but the compositions happened
fluently and instantly. I realised that it was the impact of the behaviour and teachings of my teacher, Rajaram Pai on my mind.
The audio album ‘Mahan Mhozo Des’ in all has 12 songs out which 9 songs are those which I composed in 1968, 69 and 70. I could compose those lyrics because of the inculcation of patriotic value in me by my teacher. I always believe that if I have a little sense of patriotism in me and a little love for my country, India it is only because of late Rajaram Upendra Pai – A freedom fighter and my teacher. I humbly dedicate ‘Mahan Mhozo Des’ album to this great personality.
