 |
|
 |
||
|
|
||||
|
Designed , developed & Hosted By Kishoo, Barkur |
||||
|
|
||||
|
This page is updated regularly, please refresh or reload on your visit. |
||||
|
A GREAT MAN, A DYNAMIC
YOUTH LEADER OF MY TIME – LAWRENCE
A. SEQUEIRA
Sequeiras of Kalmargi and Balgar-bail, were one of
the oldest Christian inhabitants of Barkur. It is said, they played an
important role, together with other like-minded people, in the long
struggle of having an independent church, installed in Barkur, some 150
years ago. One such name, coming from this great clan, left a permanent
mark for his varied social work and a popular figure, in the recent
past, i.e in 50s to 70s, was late Mr Victor Sequeira. His
sudden and untimely death, in the year 1973, slackened the very basis of
his family with six daughters and two sons.
Eldest of his two sons was
Mr Lawrence A. Sequeira, then almost 15 years
old!! – Gradually proved, worthy son of worthy parents, late Mrs and Mr Victor /Theresa Sequeira of Japkali-kudru! A man in-heritor with rich legacies of his parents, Lawrie shown signs of leadership qualities during his
School / College days in Barkur. Being an ace sportsman, even he
represented District level, in the Junior College, with handsome
personality, was attracted by all. His contributions, during the early
years of ICYM was exceptional – being the favourite blue-eyed boy of
the then Asst. Parish Priest, versatile Fr.Henry D’Souza - Lawrie played an important
role to make the CYM an household name. Notably, a gifted stage actor,
his roles in plays like ‘Di Maka Bhokhsane’ and ‘Mogachi Deswatt’ left un-forgettable imprints, among the
drama-crazy public of Barkur and the surroundings! Like most us, Lawrie too, left Barkur with a heavy
heart, to Bombay, in search of better prospects. Within a short period,
he established his own business, viz - Lyba
Industries -
with other like-minded people, as its Managing
Partner at
his thirties! During this period he endeared himself in the social work,
in different platforms, including the prestigious President-ship
of Young Giants of Mulund – Bombay in the year 1982/83. There was an important task, waiting for him to do
something, for his fellow Barkurian in Bombay. In the year 1983/84, mass
exodus of youngsters, who were earlier in CYM, - few staying with their
relatives and a big chunk in various hostels, popularly known as clubs
– collectively conceived of an novel plan, of having an Association,
in lines of CYM of Barkur in the metropolis of Bombay. Though, there
existed a platform under the leadership of Mr Ivan M. Rebello, with enthusiastic
youngsters of my / our time, numbering couple of dozens, since Sept.
1983, but were anxiously looking for someone, with charisma and
goodwill, to make it authentic, viable and we found all these
pre-requisites in this Great man Lawrence A. Sequeira!! As a first move he roped in and convinced people like
Louis D’Costa, Peter Fernandez, Patrick Gonsalves, Norman T.D’Souza,
Sylvan D’Almeida, Felix Sequeira and many others… an ad-hoc
committee formed under Lawrie and he succeeded with gusto to rope in 50
plus… youngsters to form, historical St Peter’s Catholic Youth
Association in Bombay with the blessings of the then Parish Priest of
Barkur Rev.Fr.J.N.Lobo, on 2/12/1985 During his able and dynamic President-ship of two
consecutive years, the new-born SPCYA, made wonders in Bombay
– first ever Konkani social play by Henry
D’Silva
Suratkal -‘Mogachi Deswatt’- at St. Mary’s hall,
Mazgaon was just the beginning of the saga of achievements!! The Souvenir brought out during this
occasion, opened the broad doors of planning to have bigger organisation,
to include the elderly Barkurians under one umbrella. Though he was a
natural choice to lead the Association for a record third term,
entrusted the responsibility to me, to be the President, but reluctantly agreed
to be the Co-ordinator of the group, at the
crucial time, of finalising the modalities to merge the Youth
Association, to form the present St. Peter’s Association [Barkur] Bombay on 17th
April, 1988. Here once
again he has the option of leading, but insisted someone among the
elders to lead from the front and late Mr Simplen Sequeira took over as its
President and Lawrie, took over the all important responsibility, as its
Treasurer and continued, till he left Bombay to land in Dubai, to join Safety Electrical Trading Co. where he is serving
now. For Lawrie -‘I can, and I will’- were the guiding
words, throughout his career. Let it be,
organising a conference of Barkurians, or staging public entertainment
function for mobilising funds, or chalking out strategies for
continuance of existing movement, or a leisure picnic, or mega project
of having a Hostel, Lawrie had his views crystal clear but never
insisted on others to implement them, on the contrary, his suggestions
automatically become the majority decision most of the times!! Married to Wilma, equally talented lady, from Thottam,
a right life partner in December 1996, and I got the proud privilege, to
raise the toast in honour of my master, a visionary, honest and gifted
quality leader, who always lead the team, not individuals. He has not passed responsibilities to others, but
shouldered them by himself. Even this day the guidelines given - viz -
sticking to time bound programmes and voluntarily accepting the most
difficult assignment by himself – made him the darling and most
acceptable leader to all of us. Un-doubted, his was, one of the masterminds behind
the grand Decennial Celebrations of CYM-Barkur in 1986
and this year being the Silver Jubilee, the organisers rightly chosen
him as the Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee and his brain
child of constituting CYM Ex-members Association, is underway as the
Convenor, of the sub-committee, I choose this occasion to give a clarion
call, to all, lovers of this group, to give their full support in his
efforts at this direction… To be frank we had plenty of happy moments and
learned a lot with him, and truly feel Barkurian Community, specially in
Bombay remain indebted for his sacrifices - but me humbly say a big
thank you, to him and all his associates,
& call a close, with a request to youngsters to pick a lesson
or two, to be true leaders of your time… On
behalf BARKUR WEB-SITE and ICYM Ex-Members Committee, P.
Archibald Furtado,
Muscat, 14th October 2002. For a series of a very high quality articles covering many subjects, by Mr. Archibald Furtado , go through the archives. Click on the respective subject |
||||
|
Barkur, located in Udupi Taluk, Karnataka, India. 576 210 |
||||
|
Copyright Kishoo, Barkur 2002. |
||||
