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Augustine Salvador D’Silva
On a special occasion, at Barkur, in the year 1982, V. Rev. Fr.
Aloysius Rosario, publicly made a strong statement – ‘ in
Barkur there are many good families… and three holy families – The
D’Silva’s of Matpady, Picardo’s of Nagermut, and D’Almeida’s of
Kachhur………..’ At the very outset many were not only shocked
but fumed with anger, what is this claim, that too in public….Now
we realized the holy man hardly wrong in his evaluation of his
time at Barkur.
The D’Silva clan of Matpady really lived up to this status and
herein we will try to introduce one belonging to that respectable
family.
Our acquaintance with the gentleman go back to my early days in
Bombay – The founder President of SPCYA, Mr. Lawrence A. Sequeira,
gave me a call on a Saturday evening to meet at Bandra Railway
station, sharp next day at 10.30 am. Fine, was reached at dot time
and both of us at the door step of the palatial flat near Banda
St. Peter’s Church. What a wonderful personality and hospitality,
that too in a place likes Bombay! At the very first meeting was
carried away by the man – and his family – Augustine Salvador
D’Silva.
Early life, brief family background and Education
Beginning of the 19th Century, Jerome and Concepta
D’Silva’s was a God fearing, well to do, landlord family of that
time, at Matpady - a junction, ferry crossing both the sides of
the river Sita, the time there was no bridge – this location
enjoyed commercial importance as the farm / agro products were
grown, stored and sold in large quantity. Young Augustine was
born on 28th May 1924, and brought up at this beautiful
atmosphere, as a third son – famous Peter D’Silva who served as
President of Barkurian’s Association in Bombay in 40’s and in 50’s
is the eldest, next to him was Albert and youngest Robert. Two
sisters – viz Angelina and Lilly Rebello.
Only School of the time at Barkur near Church, known as English
School at that time, charming lad Augustine had his early studies
till 8th STD.
Milagres
High School
just started at time in Kallianpur welcomed young, energetic
Augustine, who passed his SSLC in the year 1942, considered the
highest qualifications of the time, with flying colors.
On his way to Bombay in search of a career:
Since his elder brother was there at Bombay, Augustine had no
hesitation in choosing the dream city as next home away from home.
Sooner he landed, he was invited to join Burma Shell Oil
Company – next is history - 37 years of long and dedicated
service in a single organization till he retired on 28th
May 1982 as Sectional Head of Marketing Division.
Even after retirement since he crossed the age limit, though fit
and healthy, was requested to handle just started Emergency
Service Cell – by M/S. B.P, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil LPG
Gas Division. He was instrumental in starting and marketing brand
name Jwala gas hot plates. Being an expert in Engineering….
to Petro-gas related industry he continued for almost 10 years in
laying pipe lines for LPG Industrial. Gases and LPG Storage Tanks
for major Industrial users.
Just few words about Family:
It is very well said behind every successful man there is a woman
– and the Mrs. Theresa Gladys Picardo (eldest daughter of
A.J.S.Picardo and Mary Picardo) truly lived up to this saying
by letter and spirit.
Theirs is a wonderful couple - blessed with three outstanding
children – Let me very brief – Alwyn the eldest - Mechanical
Engineer, at present working as Project Manager in Qatar. Next one
Allan - B.Com, a scholarship student gone to be A.C.A from UK and
Europe now Partner in leading multinational Audit / Financial
Consultants viz Prince, Waterhouse and Coopers.
Daughter - Vanita Rosemary, M.Com. University of Bombay, MBA from
Virginia University, married to Dr. Russell Reaves, an American
citizen now settled in USA North Carolina. (I can re-collect
from my memory that in the year 1989, Vanita’s article published
in Wall Street Journal about Bhopal Gas Tragedy titled ‘Multinational
in Third World’ - was so effective and narrative, won her
accolades and recognition as a writer.)
(Since the purpose of this article is about Mr. D’Silva and his
role in Barkurian Unification in Bombay, I will not elaborate more
about the family at this point of time, though they rightly
deserve…..)
Mortar to bridge three generations - BAB / SPCYA / SPA:
(From
left ) - Lawrence A Sequeira, founder President
of SPCYA, Rev. Joseph N.Lobo, Parish Priest of St. Peter's Church,
Barkur,
George V.D'Lima, Advocate Bombay High Court and Professor of Law,
also the last
President of SPBA, in 1962 - 64 & Augustine D'Silva, Guest
of Honor - occasion
Installation and First Oath taking ceremony of SPCYA at Gloria
Church Hall, Byculla.
It was less known to Barkurians that, Mr. Augustine D’Silva would
have been a natural choice and automatically be the leader to
take-up President's chair of St. Peters Association in 1988. Most
acceptable, simple person who always with youngsters during SPCYA
days – he has been the Guest of Honor on 01st Dec 1985,
when the Association got inaugurated…during days it organized
plays in Nov 86 and Musical Nite’s in Nov 1987 in St. Mary’s Hall,
Mazgaon, Bombay, presided over the historic meeting of elders and
youngsters of Barkur at Dader…..and so on.
Dadar Conclave ,
from left.. Archibald Furtado( at that time President of SPCYA),
Lawrence A. Sequeira - Co-ordinator of SPCYA, Augustine D'Silva -
convener of the
meeting, Vincent D'Almeida - Secretary of SPCYA, Rev. Fr.
Henry D'Souza
( now Bishop of Bellary), Jerry Sequeira former Secretary of SPBA
in 1962,
Much before that, a blue eyed youth leader in Barkurian
Association in 60’s, was equally charismatic. Though he
voluntarily opted out of the race, and nominated Youngman and
dynamic Simplen Sequeira to the coveted post. It is always said,
miss a while, miss a mile, history remembers only few, forgets a
lot!
Mr. Augustine D’Silva, at times used to share his experiences in
Barkurian Association and their contribution to mother Church at
Barkur – laying of mosaic tiles at the main body of the Church,
tapping resource persons for new Belfry constructed in the year
1961, monetary help to National High School in 40’s and 50’s….are
just to mention few.
Nevertheless, his eyes glows gold, now at 84, while talking about
Yearly Barkurian’s Get-together in his heydays.
By the way, one greater thing we noticed in Augustine is, his high
praises for Barkurian born priests –Rev. Fr. William Picardo, Rev.
Fr. Augustine Sequeira and Rev. Fr. Denis D’Souza – who always
visited and had been a spiritual and moral support in their social
mission, in Bombay, in 40’s and 50’s.
The presence of Barkurians in Bombay was felt loud and clear in
union over the years, since decades, many took lead in
rejuvenating and re-activating uniting process…. and no doubt one
such person is our Augustine D’Silva and we feel it a privilege to
thank him especially during the special occasion of SPA
celebrating its 20th Anniversary on 17th
April 2008.
Conclusion:
During my last holidays in January, 07 at natives I was fortunate
to meet Mr. D’Silva’s family at Kallianpur. For the last 15 years
they live just in front of Mt. Rosary Church, at Shalom, follows
the golden principle – sit a while after lunch and walk a mile
after supper. Once I was surprised to see him at famous
Santhekatte Sunday market - saanth as early as at 6.30 am,
who understood my curiosity, so quick to quote – early to bed and
early to rise kept him healthy so far, at the age of 84. A
contented life, octogenarian D’Silva must live for 100 years.
On behalf of Barkur-on-line and ICYM Barkur Ex-Members
Association.
P. Archibald Furtado,
Muscat – 9th March, 2008. |
