By Gasper Crasto
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of a great Goan - A Veronica Fernandes.
The legend of a Goan died today afternoon 12th Sept '24 at his home in Candolim, Goa. He was aged 76 and is survived by wife Fatima, son Ashton, daughter Avesha, and granchildren.
His presence in Kuwait was a beacon of wisdom, illuminating our paths with grace.
As we grieve the passing of this extraordinary soul, we also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind — dedication, and unwavering commitment.
His contributions to our lives and to Goans will be cherished forever, and his spirit will continue to inspire us all.
In this time of sorrow, let us find comfort in the memories we shared and the lessons he imparted.
His influence and the warmth of his spirit will remain a guiding light for those who had the privilege of knowing him.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and all who were touched by his extraordinary life.
May we honor his memory by carrying forward the values he held dear and by striving to live with the same integrity and compassion that defined his existence.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱.
𝙂𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙉𝙀𝙎𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙊𝙉𝙄𝘾𝘼
There was perhaps no one in the expatriate Goan world who worked so much for the promotion, propagation, development and advancement of Goa and Goans in general as much as Veronica Fernandes.
Hailing from Arrady, Candolim, Goa, Veronica spent most of his life in Kuwait.
Known among Goans as a living encyclopedia on tiatrs, and an activist of immense abilities, his deeds are well documented in the chronicles of history, and well recognized and acknowledged by Indian and Kuwaiti governments.
His major accomplishments have been the Konkani language agitation and the famous Solidarity Movement in support of Kuwait during the 1990 invasion by Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein.
A freelance journalist and firebrand writer, Veronica’s writings on various topics – both local, Goan and international, mostly in the blog Goa Kranti (http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/) created worldwide ripples and awakening debates.
Few Goan writers were able to produce such heavy effects as Veronica Fernandes.
𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙂𝙃𝙏 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙐𝙎𝙀
Shri Veronica’s distinction lied in the fact that he gathered and collected innumerable Goans from Kuwait to support the Konkani language agitation in Goa in the late 80’s.
Apparently, it was he who lighted the spark of Konkani movement in Kuwait and the flame is still brightly giving its light. If Konkani has gained so much of limelight in Kuwait then the credit should surely go to Shri Veronica alone.
Besides being a high-quality writer, Veronica was a good orator as well – both in English and Konkani.
He had a unique distinction, as a Goan, to be awarded for his orations and writings by the Kuwait Writers Guild, an organization whose membership includes highly intellectual individuals, renowned writers, poets, ambassadors, diplomats and artistes of international repute.
Bab Veronica was also honored in 2007 by Konkani Kullvar – Kuwait, a well-known Konkani Writers’ Forum in appreciation of his contribution and daring combats in support of the Konkan language.
Though his health did not support his age, Veronica’s mind was as sharp as a knife till his last day. He has a book to his credit called ‘From Coconut Trees to Oil Wells’ published in 2016.
“𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗕𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗞𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁,” 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗞𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟯.
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▲ＬＳＯ: 𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙊𝙉𝙄𝘾𝘼'𝙎 𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒