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ONE OF THE MAKER’S OF MODERN BARKUR –
SHRI JOHN P. SEQUEIRA, KALMARGI.
The ‘Kalmargi House’ located at the heart of ‘yesterdays
Barkur’ at Kachhur near the Church, Friday market, the only School
of the time, now Panchayat and earlier town office, was the ‘nerve
centre’ of socio-political activities. It is a memory to elders
and history to younger one to remind that, there was a time,
all-important Government Offices such as Post and Telegraph, the
only Bank, the Clinics of popular medical practitioners, located
at and around Church. A man associated with all these and such
august Institutions being the President / Vice President of
Panchayat Board, for years / decades, a man with dignified
gestures, handsome, learned one for his time, with a true
cosmopolitan approach, was Late SHRI JOHN PETER SEQUEIRA, who
reigned from here, till he breathed his last, an untimely, sudden
death, on 20th November, 1963.
The sleepy town of
Barkur, mourned for days and months, especially the poor one,
weaker one, deprived one, irrespective of their caste / religion,
who venerated the man like messiah, who changed the life and
living of hundreds.
Family Back ground and early life:
Late Did-vac and Joanna Sequiera’s was a God fearing family. It
is appropriate to mention here that, this man was the
Administrator of St.Peter’s Church; at that crucial time
present
Church Building was constructed. The man roped in, Carpenter’s, Masons etc …from
Goa,
under the guidance of Monsignor Denis J.D’Souza. The third child and the first male after two
daughter’s, surely brought great thrill and happiness, in the
family, on the first day of the 20th Century, as John
P.Sequeira was born on this auspicious day 1-1-1900.
Having his primary Schooling at one and only English Medium School
at the neighbourhood of his house, Mr Sequeira moved to Kundapur
for further studies. Probably one among the first, from Barkur, to
study at Jesuits run, one and only St. Aloysius College,
Mangalore, passed SSLC with flying colours.
The pre-independent era, when the educational facilities, so
scarce, this qualified man was immediately called at Bombay to
join Colaba Central Telegram Office. He has the rare
distinction of serving in Calcutta Central Post Office and about
half a dozen British Colonies at Cylone (now
Sri Lanka),
Pakistan – Karachi, South Africa – Cape town etc. in various
positions.
A beautiful, fluent and commanding speaker of Victorian English,
also well known for his writing skills in prose, also studied
French and Latin, had won friends irrespective of his colour,
nationality, wherever he was stationed. He was offered to migrate
and settle in any of these places but situations made him to
return to Barkur.
Coming back to Natives to usher a Modern Era:
Married to a humble, beautiful lady of the time, Mary, hailing
from prestigious Lewis Clan of Kallianpur, on 20th
November 1935, John P. Sequeira made a new beginning and
settled at ancestral Kalmargi House. Probably the only
learned man of the time, in public service endeared himself in
charity work. British Govt. presented him 100 acres of land at
Dharmasale, near present Railway station, is a testimony for his
clout and respect. (Later after Independence in the year 1947,
Land ceiling Act prompted him to give back 60 acres to Govt.)
Call from the Congress Party:
Once Mr. Sequeira realised the growth of illiterate masses will be
achieved only through independence, and through education, he
wholeheartedly joined the mass movement / freedom struggle and
elected to lead the Congress Party at various levels. It
was a regular affair, of that time, whenever any public function
was organised, or any visit of dignitaries to Barkur, it was
presided over by John P. Sequeira, not just a formality but in
recognition for his eloquent public speaking skills, social status
and vast knowledge of any given subject.
He served as Office Bearer of District Congress Committee, for
years and had contacts and influence in all Government Offices. At
the time travelling was so difficult, Mr Sequeira visited
Madras
several occasions.
The Vision Dream of a High School at Barkur:
In early 40’s, there were two Primary Schools at Barkur, and to
imagine a High School in this semi-urban town needs a lion’s heart
and courage, and this visionary, farsighted man made all paper
work. It is well said ‘leaders are few, followers are many’, for
any thing “Mr Sequeira you please go ahead, we all are with you
and will follow you” was the slogan….He personally took them
to Educational Departments at
Madras Province and ultimately got the nod and permission. Huge 13
acres of land marked for the purpose at the outskirts of the town
near Fort. To mobilise funds / resources he travelled extensively
with like-minded people. Dr. Bairy, Mr. A. Ramanna Shetty, Mr.
Krishna Bhat……and others supported the cause with all possible
help and contribution.
At first, to convince Mr. P.N.Bhoja Rao to accept the Head
Master’s chair of infant Institution was a Herculean task, for
him, to ensure the quality education.
To start with, the High School was operating from shed behind the
present Mary knoll Hr. Primary School, but to have the present Building Mr
Sequeira has taken great pains. He being the chairperson of the
Barkur Educational Society has put his personal savings into
the work, which he never took back, though was under clutches of
personal debt-trap!! Understand when the Govt. sent the money to
re-imburse all Bills / expenses in 1964; Mr Sequeira was in
heavenly abode!!
In these days, most of the social activities are religion / Caste
/ sub-caste based and leadership of local public minded men to
work together - to start, run and aptly named as National
High School, Barkur, we feel, is a perfect example of
secular thoughts in practice!
Few great works at Barkur:
Just before Mr Sequeira’s Panchayat Presidency, a situation has
come to cancel the licence of L.F.Hospital at Barkur and wasting
no time he intervened and averted the move by explaining the need
and importance of this Hospital to Public Health Department.
The Store (Consumer’s Co-operative Society) now popularly called
is another brainchild of Mr Sequeira, was a boon to economically
weaker sections of Society.
Various mud roads constructed during his regime, around Barkur, is
another legacy, it is another story they were remained like that
till recent years, to get tarred!
Extension of Friday Market and the Building, at the time the event
was a big event of two days, in the locality.
The development of Community Hall near Panchayat Office also had the
influence Mr. Sequeira’s thoughts and insight.
It was said this man first initiated the idea to construct the
Bridge over River Sita and sent the application to PWD
Department, on the same place, where the Boat kadavu
existed. Of course Mr Sequeira was not there to see his dream come
true, as Bridge was built in the year 1967/68.
Personal Life:
Though Mr Sequeira had to say goodbye, to this world at the age of
63, at that critical time, just eldest son only completed SSLC,
his wife Mrs Mary Sequeira shouldered the responsibility to
lead the family and educate the children. They were blessed with
eight children, four boys and four girls, all are blessed in
abundance and are well settled now, few with grand children!
The eldest one Mr Walter Sequeira working in Sharjah U.A.E. for
decades. For his integrity, efficiency and fidelity the
Crescent Petroleum Company not leaving him even after his
retirement age, is just one example, to claim ‘like father, like
children’!!
Neatly dressed in European style, a French Cigar in his hand, a
British Hat on the head, normally used Cycle to take rounds in the
town. With a licence to keep Gun, Hunting was the hobby he liked
the most. A strict disciplinarian at home and office, never sent
back anyone come to his door empty handed, was a man of kind
heart, but never tolerated hypocrisy in religious affairs!!
Acknowledgements & Conclusion:
During my recent visit to natives, happened to watch a popular
Kannada movie – “Bangarada Manushya” in one of the pay
channels and it is my Father’s remark to compare his maternal
Uncle, Mr John P.Sequeira, to the lead role, prompted me to gather
the above facts. Truly, I am deeply impressed by the facts
narrated to me and went through the archives of National Junior
College, Panchayat Office and few elders who
were known to this person.
Still feel there are missing lines / links, the elders of Barkur,
who has seen / known / influenced by him, are most welcome, to
comment, add on these few words, on this “Man of a Golden heart
and Virtues”.
It is the earnest effort and support of BARKURONLINE Team, which
is the driving force to scribble few words, whenever time permits.
Thanks once again,
P. Archibald Furtado,
Muscat,
19th
January 2004.
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