JAMES FERNANDES
A rare source of encouragement, guiding light to Barkur-online Team……!
We have read good number of articles written by Mr. Fernandes in various web-pages. Of course Barkur on line pages treasure few such works to preserve for ages to come. He had that rare quality to handle wit, humor and sarcasms simultaneously at a time, in his writings and commentaries. He had that lion’s heart to call a spade a spade. Empty praises never come from his pen, he mean what he writes! Moreover, his in depth knowledge on any given subject astonishes any reader!! His vast knowledge in data analysis using SAS in clinical or pre-clinical studies, exhibited systematically in his various writings...
Still I didn’t have an opportunity to see or meet him, forget meeting I’m yet to talk to him, even over phone! But we are constantly in touch with each other through the Barkur web pages over the last 10 long years! In fact it’s these pages responsible to develop such a relation like a teacher and a student. The man who has seen life and its different shades and effects, rich in experience, matured with facts of life, moreover very frank and truthful in his comments, articles and observations, we respect him most and no hesitation in accepting a teacher like personality for our own benefits.
Uncle James normally I address him, always a ‘Man practical’. Married in the year 1973, he leads a life of contented in distant Chicago, USA, since 1977 with wife, Zita, daughters Zeena, Mellissa, Daphnie and their families.
In brief about early life
Mr. James Fernandes is the younger brother of renowned Research Scientist Dr. Gabriel Fernandes and late Dr. Sr. Concilia Fernandes of Moodahadu kudru.
It’s a fade memory for me since I know his famed mother for cooking for Weddings and functions late Mrs. Assumpta Fernandes during my younger days at Barkur in 60’s and perhaps 70’s and his father late Jerome D. Fernandes too a hardworking agriculturist of the time, taking care of vast and fragmented holdings spread over the Moodahadu and Bardakali…..
The parents gave our society great gifts in the form of talented children, mentioned above, among others, of whom you can find details in our web-pages. To give little more details of the family - His eldest brother is in Bombay, Benedict Fernandes, structural engineering, retired. Youngest brother is Vincent Fernandes, an Engineer in Mahindra and Mahindra Bombay presently working. Romalth Fernandes who was in Moodahadu is expired.
Mr. James Fernandes, born and brought up in Moodahadu Kudru, had his primary schooling at Moodahadu / Pandeshwar and High school studies at National High School Barkur.
As an unwritten practice of the time, he too went to Bombay in search of a career and served in various laboratories and research houses of the time. By character he was innovative, enterprising and curiosity in learning about living flora and fauna, like his elder brother, ultimately took him to build a career in research and experiment. After few years in Bombay, after serving in multinationals like Ciba Geigy (1964 – 1977) he migrated to USA in 1977.
It’s very interesting to note his thirst for learning and along with other qualifications he has obtained B.A. degree in Behavioral Sciences from prestigious National Louis University Chicago in the year 2003…!
Contribution for literary field:
Personally, we have read good number of articles written by Mr. Fernandes in various web-pages. Of course Barkur on line pages treasure few such works to preserve for ages to come. He had that rare quality to handle wit, humor and sarcasms simultaneously at a time, in his writings and commentaries. He had that lion’s heart to call a spade a spade. Empty praises never come from his pen, he mean what he writes! Moreover, his in depth knowledge on any given subject astonishes any reader!! His vast knowledge in data analysis using SAS in clinical or pre-clinical studies, exhibited systematically in his various writings
Many a times he withheld his name and one such recent example is his article appeared in Kemmannu.com titled ‘Sagvolli’, which was acclaimed and praised for content, facts and style with good number of responses.He was instrumental to bring out a book on life and contribution of founder Head Master of National High School late P. N. Bhoja Rao, a monumental work to a respected teacher.
Almost all souvenirs brought out in the last decade, relating Barkur, let it be ICYM, SPA Mumbai…… rightfully find an article by him. There are good number of ‘Pedruchi chavi’ booklets, home for his rich experiences and articles.
Barkur on line web pages and Mr. James Fernandes:
A relation is like husband and wife, both are complimentary to each other and played and playing a herculean role for its success. He was a great source of support and encouragement to our host Mr. Kishore Gonsalves in his dream mission, a decade un imaginable without his involvement.
He used to be first to contribute for any genuine cause Barkur on line initiated over the years. From a less known simple public notice board on the Church wall or a road in the village, may be a rare gesture to offer honorarium to contributors from natives for our site….Generous donor for any social needs or literary activity at Barkur… I know it for sure, he will not like if I bring out a list of his yeomen acts in the past.
Life in US Chicago:
Now almost 35 long years he is settled in US, but his heart always beats for his hometown. He has no hesitation to accept the hardships and evils of poverty during childhood years. One can smell the Barkurian soil in his writings.
Married to Zeeta, a Nurse by profession, hailing from Thonse, Kallianpur, in the year 1973, and they were blessed with beautiful and talented three daughters – Zeena, Melissa and Daphnie, who were famed dancers in Waukegan in the Chicago city. Understand that they were trained by famed teacher Marva Joyce. Apart from dance, Tap, Jazz etc. they were playing piano especially in the Church Choir for years together.
To be very brief about the children – currently Zeena, BSN (Bachelor of Science and Nursing), working, married to a Doctor Psychologist, having a daughter and a son. Melissa, BSc University of Illinois, working as a Chemist, has left the nest. Daphnie, youngest one recent BSN, just started working.
It’s very difficult to get his personal details, as I told earlier that Uncle James never craved for fame. With some persuasion, we caught hold of his brief life history, which our valued readers can refer by clicking the following link.
As I mentioned somewhere that we as Barkur-online Team united for the last 10 years and 10 months, since Kishore Gonsalves fathered this Site for public use on 18th December 2001, we are more than happy to honor Mr. James Fernandes - as the Personality of the Month, Year and Decade…!!!
Presently retired after working for several decades in some Chicago area pharmaceutical firms, a man always loved fishing ...gardening...from the childhood days, still kept alive the hobby dear to him even in US...
He believes in "God gives what one can handle, intelligence, prosperity, and especially suffering."
The world has plenty to offer. I can scoop just as much as the size of my container. "How big is your container?" is the question he always asks for self and others?
With all best wishes and prayers to Almighty to keep you happy and healthy today and everyday and expecting your services, guidance and support to us, younger ones, we conclude this passage with lots of love and respects from all Barkurians…
On behalf of Barkur-online and ICYM Barkur Ex-Members Association,
P. Archibald Furtado, Muscat, 17th September, 2012
furtadoarchibald@hotmail.com