THE LIVING LEGEND OF BARKUR – MR. BAPTIST D’SOUZA

Many envy Nagermutt and its possessions and people -  one such legacy is octogenarian Mr. Baptist D’Souza, now running 88, was born in a poor family, grown to be an inspiration to all around him, and lived like an ‘uncrowned King’ of this ward, for the last three decades.

This is about 25 - 30 odd years back, somewhere in early Seventies, a period when the Gurkar’s were the people who were seen in ‘multiple roles’ as a – natural leader of the community, an arbitrator to settle family disputes, Master of Ceremony for all functions, a messenger of the Church, the man in the forefront to respond to the needs and emergencies of the Village and so on….and one such person who made justice and brought dignity and respect  to this, otherwise gubernatorial  role,  is Mr. D’Souza, a complete man, stood first among the equals, tall among all, of those years, during his heydays at our Barkur parish..

Early days of childhood:

Uncle Baptist born on Christmas Day in the year 1916, as the fourth child to God fearing parents Lawrence D’Souza and Serphine Quadros and had his primary Schooling in the Hosala School. At about 15, he left Barkur with a meager Rs.9.00 in his purse, by ship via Malpe, during the days journey used to take days, somehow reached Bombay. The Youngman had nothing with him but enthusiasm to come up in life with sheer hard work. Started a career as a Canteen Helper, and gradually grown with time, to work in bigger Hotels, at Bombay, where he mastered the art Hospitality, by letter and spirit.

He married Annie Cornelio, the humble and attractive lady of Kukknje, Kallianpur in the year 1944 and blessed with three wonderful children – Grace, Richard and Herald.

After spending his, 17 youthful years i.e. 1931 – 1944, in dream city Bombay, he got a chance in 1948 to cross the seas and landed in Kuwait. Here too he continued his hard work with integrity and dedication till 1952. In between he had an opportunity to serve in Saudi Arabia for couple of years. Then the marathon innings of 12 – 13 years in Dubai, in reputed Hotels of the time.

Return to Barkur in the year 1967, and the beginning of an era social involvement:

Baptist rightly invested his hard earned savings in the Gulf deserts, in property and developed agricultural fields in Nagermutt and earned a name for himself as a ‘progressive farmer’. At the time most of the farmers were tenants, he was among few Catholics, to be honored as landlord!

By nature he was a very simple man, and the then Vicar of Barkur Church – Rev Fr. Aloysius Rosario, seen in him, a potential leader and a social worker and offered him the Gurkar’s responsibility of Nagermutt - Pandeshwar.

Almost 22 years of unstinted yeomen service to the community will be a record by itself. Few years back he told me “ I mastered your younger sister’s First Birthday gathering in the year 1969 and was there as Gurkar for her wedding in the year 1988” – yes as a dignified, proud leader he was instrumental and witness for the smooth, systematic and successful follow–up of rituals and ceremonies of Canara Konkani Culture!

Leadership of Mr. Baptist D’Souza:

The rare quality in Mr. D’Souza is to get along with anyone irrespective of age; caste etc paved the way to become the Member of Barkur Panchayat in 1979. For 5 years he served as Vice President, when the young Mr. Shantarama Shetty was President. For Mr. D’Souza even a smallest public utility work was important, like the small bridges across the innumerable canals, which were built during his tenure.

The birth of Adarsh Youth Association:

This was the time, in late Seventies, the only distant ward – (other were attended by the young Asst. Parish Priest) to be blessed by the then Vicar Rev.Fr. Joseph D’Souza, after Easter, during the hot summer of April / May. Normally ours was the first house to start with, Uncle Baptist conveniently asking me to join him, to sing ‘Deklen Hanve Udaak” and putting a word in Priest’s ear to be part of the three men team to start with, to visit the remaining 25 houses, to conclude at his house, about 1.5 k.m. away from ours, with as many as 30 – 40 people! Some households had embarrassing moments, not able to treat the aged revered father, visiting them once a year, because such a big tail behind him! Devout Father enjoyed the company of Children too much and happy to visit the ward time and again.

This and such other active involvements nature of the Children and youngsters prompted them to organize themselves as an Association in the year 1980. The then Gurkar and the Vice President of the Punchayat, Mr. D’Souza agreed to be the Founder Director, with one condition that Mr. Jerome J. Fernandes must be there to guide them on a regular basis. Agreed and  on 26^th January,1980, Rev. Fr. Patrick Rodrigues lighted the candle with Mr. D’Souza, Mr. Fernandes, Teacher Lany Cornelio, now spread to all corners of the Globe with special Nagermutt flavor. Now AYA is completing 25 years of its fruitful existence, and indebted to Mr. D’Souza in a big way.

In short about his special qualities:

On the eve of Annual Parish feast in Dec every year, public honor of Holy sacrament and the class decoration of the high streets Barkur, under Mr. D’Souza’s guidance, encouraged others to compete for quality. Personally, I will not forget the fun we had while having Tea Break in, yester year’s ‘Kamath’s Restaurant’.

v      Mr. Baptist D’Souza was not a public speaker, at least I’ve not heard him, over mike, but he knows, whom to entrust that job, depending upon the occasion.

v      He didn’t have a melodious; say loud voice to sing Lavdate or Te-devoum, but gentlemen readily standing by his side, to shoulder this responsibility.

v      He was not a man of letters to draft appeals, reports or complaints, but this never proved to be a handicap for him because he knows whom to mould-in to do such things happily on his behalf.

v      He didn’t had muscle power to suppress or control trouble maker’s nuisance after an extra dose of alcohol, but people used to think twice, once Gurkar was around – one stare was sufficient to be in the shell.

v      He never ate without ensuring that all who contributed in the preparations are around him and thanking them in his typical way.

We feel, these qualities to recognize others, around him, is the greatest among all, in a true leader. In other words, today Uncle Baptist D’Souza  is respected as great, as he brought out the best in others, saluted and respected others, in a way followed the golden principle - ‘treat others the way one expected to  be treated  by others’.

Mr. Baptist D’Souza influenced many a young men, and role model for Gurkars, to be successful.

CONCLUSION:

The Barkuronline.Com, today with folded hands, filled with gratitude’s, respect Mr. D’Souza as ‘Personality of the Month’, yes, we are proud that one of the greatest living legends of Barkur is  with us, we pray Almighty to bless him with good health and  peace of mind, May he be a Centenarian. His life and ideals will remain as lamp posts to the younger generation.

On behalf of Barkur on line and ICYM Barkur Ex-Member’s Association,

P.  Archibald Furtado, Muscat.