A self made man –

                                    ERIC LAWRENCE CARVALHO  

In this world there are many generous people who better contented, in what they are and got in life….. and happy to play second fiddle, not at all keen to be in the limelight - may it be social or in cultural forums. Secondly, a person is known by the company he keeps, it is throughout the life this man enjoyed to be with elders than youngsters. Take my own case, he is younger to me by four years but is always considered one close friend, his maturity level, accepting responsibilities, reacting to difficult situations, practical wisdom – undoubtedly remained above his age and getting along with anybody and everybody at ease……Thirdly, he is a totally hard working, self made man, yes these are the hall mark qualities of Eric Lawrence Carvalho. 

Absence of a Club, House (or Kood) belonging to erstwhile Barkur Parish in Bombay: 

Fort, Metro Cinema, Colaba,  Byculla, Mazgaon, Bandra, Santa Cruz, Andheri and some sub-urbs in Bombay had apartments which house economically poor and no-relative, lonely youth of Mangalore coming in search of a career, after their education. Most of these are named after the local patron Saint and the town. Like Milagres Club at Bandra, St. Theresa’s Club of Kemmannu at Clare Road Byculla…….Our forefathers, I mean elder Barkurian’s, done great things for the younger generation but absence of a Club, was a great handicap. Less fortunate, youngsters of Barkur, used to seek admission in various Clubs belonging to other parishes… but few were lucky to get accommodated ….. many to found their place in less comfortable and indecent locations! 

It is well said, ‘better to light a candle than curse the darkness’, the effort was given just a start, though all of us know it a Herculean task. A sort of movement, rather the longest journey of re-activating ‘Barkurian youth spirits in Bombay’ started with small steps…. 

I would like to unfold some un told stories – Eric was first, in our age group, to come to Bombay in early 1983, at that point of time Ivan Rebello, Herald Sequeira, Stephen Lewis, Lancelot D’Almeida, Denzil D’Souza etc, of the elite CYM feathers were already there…… and I was joined them in May same year. Needless to say, it was terribly boring for me to be in this city. After a short stint of searching for a job, was fortunate to get into Somaiya College, at Vidya Vihar, with the sole influence of my Uncle, where I served for almost two years, and this is the time when all of us used to gather at places like Rani Baugh, at Byculla……and the dreaming of an Association or a platform. 

Soon by Sept 83, John F. Gonsalves joined us; personally our energies dwindled as many others followed….. mention may be made of Vincent D’Almeida, Vinod Sequeira, Arthur Mendonca, Wilfred Sequeira, Ronald Fernandes, Joachim Mendonca, Francis Picardo…. and by May 1984 the strength was above couple of dozens….and an ad-hoc committee with three office bearers formed in Nov 83,  - Ivan Rebello as President, Herald Sequeira as Treasurer and as usual Secretary’s work on my shoulders, till 15th August 1985, on that auspicious day SPCYA was born during its first General Body meeting held at New English School, Kurla, under the leadership of Lawrence A. Sequeira as Founder President.

Prior and after, we spent good many evenings at Lower Parel where Eric’s father had a small but strategically well located house, eqvi-distance of a furlong by walk to both Central and Western Railway stations. House though small the man there had a kind and generous heart and we used to meet here for week ends and I must not be wrong to state here that the very seeds of SPCYA / SPA were sown under this roof and remain grateful for the space, as we decided, to approach our immediate seniors like Lawrence A. Sequeira, Patrick Gonsalves, Louis D’Costa, Norman T.D’Souza, Peter Fernandes, Mark Gonsalves, Sylvan D’Almeida, twin bros. John and James Gonsalves……. Who later brought lot of quality, force and energy in the mission! United we can achieve anything - followed is just realization of a dream – within a year, as we said above, the banner SPCYA hoisted by the youngsters of Barkur! 

Laugh and the world laugh with you, in weeping one will be lonely: 

Talented Eric always had the quality to keep the surrounding faces warmed up and cheerful – one more specialty we noticed in him is, he is generous to recognize better things in others. A gifted singer, with solid and clear base voice is an asset in him – but unfortunate to find a sponsor or guide. Understand once legendary Konkani singer and composer - Henry D’Souza hand picked him to sing his songs. Busy pre-occupation in the cities like Bombay and family responsibilities didn’t allow Eric to succeed here further to be a professional singer.

Good player of almost all games - out door and indoor by himself, had enormous organizing skills back home at Barkur in young teenage CYM days to his credit as Sports Secretary. He also earned a name in acting specially comic characters  to make people laugh to the tilt at Barkur, followed by a role in Mogachi Deswatt, first ever drama organized by SPCYA in Bombay……. 

Never judge a book by its cover: 

Short in stature, Eric may not be visible in the crowed. But his contribution to the Barkurian cause in metro-polis of Mumbai can not be under estimated. One can gauge his importance as he remained as Office bearer and Member of executive bodies of SPCYA and SPA since inception years and continues till now – close to 25 long years since 1983, holding different positions at different times, such as Joint Secretary, treasurer and a permanent Member of the management Committee.

Moreover, it is a rare honor to Barkrian’s, that Eric for a term, held the post of the General Secretary of Maharastara Konkani Association, Mumbai.

It is also noteworthy; he is a Member of ICYM Barkur Ex-Members Association, in its Executive Committee. 

Fortune favors brave: 

Being the only son, born on 4th Sept. 1965 at Bombay, with five sisters, all associated with CYM of Barkur at different times and capacities, in the family of famous, Late Peter and Mrs. Nancy Carvalho, Kachhur – Rayara Thota, like father, like son, and Eric was a pet child. Had his early education in Mary knoll Hr. Primary School, Barkur and National Junior College has to say goodbye to formal education for obvious reasons. He was a brave man and ready to take challenges in life was first to join a transporting firm at Bombay. As his presence was felt at natives, he went back to Barkur to open a retail shop at Church compound. Business at natives gets well with Sara swath Konkani Community or one who adopts to this quality. Poor man Eric within no time realized it is not his cup of tea, as the saying goes ‘if one can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen’ and wasting no time decided to come back to Bombay – he started a career for himself from nothing. He got himself qualified by obtaining a Diploma in Computers Applications and Diploma in Import Export Business a two years Course from prestigious Morarji Institute of Shipping, Mumbai.

 Into every life little rain must fall, fortune favored Eric, with sheer hard work, he was with C. P. Ships (UK) for almost 11 long years, handling various responsibilities and today Eric is serving a multinational cargo shipping Company, viz M/s. Sea-World Shipping & Logistics (Pvt.) Limited, as Assistant Manager – Export Documentation. 

Almighty helps those who help themselves: 

In life two things prolong – A quiet heart and a loving wife. Truly ‘Eric and Janet’ a pair made for each other. Though I met the lady in his life, just couple of times, once during the ICYM Barkur – Silver Jubilee celebrations time, was greatly impressed. It is well said responsibilities shared, responsibilities halved and I can visibly see her hand in making her husband Eric a man of value…. and success naturally follows. Kudos to both of you as you know it well, outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth!!  They are blessed with two pretty daughters – Evita 10 yrs, and Elaine 5 yrs. - talented and rightly inherited the parent’s legacies, now comfortably settled in Naigaon, Mumbai. 

It is the very objective of Barkur-on-line Team and feels proud to introduce and recognize those faces in front of the stage but also consider its privilege to bring to light the hands and brains work tirelessly behind the screen. 

While calling back Eric’s as well as his entire family’s contribution to the youth cause, both at Barkur and now in Mumbai, we salute the whole family and wish them all success, a happy and peaceful life. 

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

P.Archibald Furtado, Muscat, 29th February, 2008.