Barkur Online

Designed , developed & Hosted By Kishoo, Barkur

Hall of Famers of Yester Barkur

When Barkur.com was opened in December 2001, we introduced this site using one of this following line: " This is just a beginning towards a larger objective, to include Barkurians in all walks of life, culture, and faith in this mainstream…." We did a fairly good job in presenting a few living ones in our 'Personality of the Month', POM column. While continuing this POM column, now, we want to depict the Barkurians who are no more with us physically, but mere memories to some or unwritten history to many others.

"Famous ones need not be Great and Great ones may not be Famous. Scores of such 'great ones' lived in our Barkur - few left relics and legacies behind, like the Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Roads, Bridges, Dams, and Houses of God, etc. These people lived a saintly life in the service of society, not craving for fame, name, or fortune for themselves," observes Archibald Furtado of Nagarmut.

"We, the beneficiaries, have an obligation to express gratitude and show respect to all those personalities, posthumously of course, for their sacrifices in helping to shape the present Barkur, and for improving the lifestyles of Barkurians," says James Fernandes, of Moodahadu Kudru.

With these views in mind, and in response to many of our readers' desire to know and learn from such personalities, for the benefit and knowledge of the present and future generations, Barkuronline is delighted to open a new column named, "Hall of Famers of Yester Barkur," to present and honor a few personalities and their praiseworthy contribution to Barkur.

Folks, please share your candid memories, comments, or kudos. These will be presented in our widely read popular Sandesh column. Feel free to recommend your worthy choices, along with some bio-data including the legacy they left behind, and we will accommodate them in this new column to the our best of ability. Who knows, these might wind up in a book form, Gods-willing! Thank you for your continued support.

-Barkuronline.com team, January, 2004.

Archives

Recalling the visionary in Lawrie and tributes to a great personality of our time…

Barkur stands still in silence grief in their proud son Lawry’s untimely death this morning. We lost a great Leader and a pioneer, a leader who has clear vision for the unity of Barkurian’s in Bombay , a rallying point for voiceless and faceless in 80’s. The Founder President of ‘St. Peter’s Catholic Youth Association Barkur – Bombay ’ established in the year 1985, a man who gave hope for youth in their tomorrow. Words not enough to express our grief in the departure of a true friend. Millions thanks to Lawry, today we have St. Peter’s Association – Barkur – Bombay.

Timeline: Milestones in the life of Lawrence A. Sequeira – Barkur.

ü Born on 17^th March 1959, as the eldest son of Late Victor and Theresa Sequeira, Japkalli Kudru, Barkur.

ü Has his primary Schooling at Maryknoll Higher Primary School, Hosala Barkur till 7^th Std.

ü Passes SSLC in 1975 and PUC – Commerce in the year 1977 – National Junior College, Barkur.

ü Represent District Level Sports in High Jump and Relay and won the hearts of Barkurians.

ü Joins Catholic Youth Movement – CYM Barkur started by Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza (now Bishop designate Bellary Diocese) as a Founder Member on 10^th September 1976. His roles in Konkani plays earn a niche for his special talent.

ü Leaves natives in search of a career and joins M/s. J.P.Lights – Bombay.

ü Starts LYBA Electrical at Thane, a partnership firm being its Managing Partner.

ü Elected as President of Giant’s Club – Mulund in 1983-84.

ü Support wholeheartedly the idea to start an Association of Barkurian Youth in Bombay.

ü First General body Meeting of SPCYA held at New English School, Kurla, Bombay on 15/08/1985 and Lawrence A.Sequeira as Founder President and Archibald Furtado as Secretary.

ü Rev. Fr. Joseph N.Lobo inaugurates the Association on 1^st December, 1985, at Gloria Church Hall Byculla Bombay.

ü Consecutive second term as President and SPCYA creates history by presenting a social play Mogachi Deswatt written by Henry D’Silva, Suratkal on 2^nd Nov. 1986. An event acclaimed by press and people alike.

ü CYM – Barkur celebrates Decennial Celebrations – Bus full of ex-CYM members from Bombay arrive at Barkur under Lawry’s leadership. Bishop late Basil S.D’Souza honors Lawry in appreciation of his yeomen service with a plaque and Memento – 19/12/1986.

ü Continues as Co-ordinator of SPCYA and work tirelessly to rope-in elders of Barkur. Pay personal visits and succeeds in convincing some well to do senior Barkurians to join the mission.

ü Rev. Fr. Henry D’Souza attends a meeting of SPCYA & Elders in a Hotel Hall Dadar, Bombay and the ground was cleared to establish St. Peter’s Association Barkur – Bombay.

ü 17/04/1988 – a Conference of Barkurians held at Victoria Church Hall Mahim – in the presence of Rev. Fr. Juze D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Henry Sequeira, the three generations of Barkur unite – Barkurians Association established way back 1939, under dormant state, SPCYA established in 1985 under the banner ST. Peter’s Association – Barkur- Mumbai as Simplen Sequeira as its founder President, Archibald Furtado as Secretary and Lawrence A.Sequeira as Treasurer.

ü Due to cut-throat competition in the decorative lights industry, Lyba Industries suffers huge losses and Lawry for the first time looks helpless and decides to come out of the firm and land in Dubai, in 1994.

ü Re-establishes the lost ground and comes back with gusto and earns a name for himself in UAE.

ü Marries Wilma lady of his life hailing from Thottam on…December1996 and a grand reception at St. Francis Hall, Udyavar.

ü ICYM Barkur prepares itself to celebrate Silver Jubilee Celebrations and on 18^th Dec 2001, inaugurates Silver Jubilee year at Barkur. Lawrence takes over the responsibility as Vice President of Organizing Committee.

ü As the president of ad-hoc CYM Ex-Members platform Lawry makes every effort to unite the youngsters of the past under one umbrella and grand Silver Jubilee was held in December 2002.

ü Pedruchi Chavi- Parish bulletin UAE special issue comes out and Lawry being one working behind the scenes for its success.

ü Since October 2007, Lawrence keeps a low profile due to deteriorating health and prolonged illness, slowly but surely, shatters the spirits of Youngman.

ü Breathed his last in peace, at the age of just 48, this morning of 25^th March 2008 just a day after the Easter and now remain in memory of thousands.

We pray to Almighty to give strength his wife Wilma and express our heartfelt condolences to family members to bear this tragedy. May departed soul rest in eternal peace.

On behalf of Barkur-on-line Team and ICYM Barkur Ex-Members Association,