Behind the News: Voices from Goas Press | Page 6

Free Press
Journal. I provided freelance services for both papers in the sports
department. It was my dad's cousin, Felix Valois Rodrigues, who
inspired me to take up journalism. A versatile writer in English,
Konkani and Portuguese, he worked for the Indian Express in New
Delhi till his retirement.
Getting into the field
Felix Uncle, as I called him, introduced me to the news editor of Indian
Express in Mumbai and I was given a chance to work in the sports
department under CSA Swami . The news editor, S Krishnamoorty,
popularly known as SKM, who regarded by many as more powerful
then the editor because of his close relationship with Ramnath Goenka,
The Indian Express proprietor.

As a freedom fighter who served in jail for his anti-Portuguese
activities, Rodrigues was well-connected in Goa. After my graduation,
he gave me an introductory letter to Lamberto Mascarenhas, who was
by then no longer the joint editor of The Navhind Times, Goa's first
English-language daily.
Mascarenhas, in turn, gave me an introductory note to K.S.K. Menon,
who had been co-editor with Mascarenhas, and later promoted to editor.
I took the letter to Menon and, after reading it, said he would contact
me if any position arose.
He gave me back the note. I read the Mascarenhas' scribbled note and
was shocked. Mascarenhas had introduced me as a "chap" from "my
village". It was true, we both came from Colva, but to a young man like
me seeking a job it was horrifying to read a learned man like
Mascarenhas call me a chap.
It's also true that Mascarenhas and I belong to different strata in Goa's
caste system. I couldn't believe a man of his stature could introduce me
in such a demeaning way. I think I have the note somewhere in my
collection of memorabilia.
I never got a job at The Navhind Times. In later years, I met
Mascarenhas in the office of Goa Today. From his days at The Navhind
Times to owning Goa Today, Mascarenhas had become an icon in
Goan journalism. He had also gained reputation as a novelist for his
acclaimed book, Sorrowing Lies My Land. In subsequent years, I learnt
a lot about Mascarenhas as a man and his role as a freedom fighter in
the liberation struggle in Mumbai. One of his best friends, Professor
Edward Mendonca taught me at St. Xavier's College. Mendonca and I
came to know each other well after me finishing my graduation. Twice
I saw him very drunk and I had to hail a taxi for him and drop him near
his house in Colaba.
Mendonca reputation for booze is legendary as his mastery over the
English language and his ability to teach. He and me spoke at times of
Mascarenhas's reputed novel. Mendonca's hand can be been throughout
the book, and many English scholars have also been curious about it.
Because of his alcoholism, it became easy for many to dismiss
Mendonca's influence in Mascarenhas's book as a boast from a
drunkard. Those like me who knew Mendonca reasonably well have
reason to believe that Mendonca could be anything but a liar.

I held no grudge against Mascarenhas for calling me a "chap", but deep
inside me I carried the wound. Even in Goa I would go to see him. On
one such visit, I asked him if he would provide me with an opportunity
to write for his magazine. He dismissed me summarily saying he
prefers reputed writers. I thought he would encourage a young
journalist like me. I resolved never to write for the magazine and I have
never written for it.
When I learnt the magazine was taken over by the Salgaocars, I felt
happy. Happy not because the magazine no longer belonged to
Mascarenhas, but happy because I felt the new owners and the new
editor would give opportunities to new writers. As we now know, it has
happened. Goa Today was no longer the domain of one man and his
ego.
On another visit during summer, I was dressed in a suit. I was to meet
the then Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar and later attend a
wedding in the city. Since I had no personal means of transport, for me
to travel from Bogmallo to Panaji and back twice would be difficult, so
I had worn the suit and left home early morning. As soon as I told
Mascarenhas that I was going to meet Bandodkar, Mascarenhas's face
changed colour. He admonished me for wearing a suit to see the chief
minister, saying that journalists must be dressed informally. I explained
to Mascarenhas, but I could see that Mascarenhas bore some hatred for
the late Bhausaheb, as the chief minister was affectionately known.
That very same day, I met some journalists, including Michael
Fernandes who,