A Tribute To A Teacher

A Tribute to a Teacher
Was it just a handful of mud that we threw on that coffin? Surely no. Each of the grains of sand represented the seeds that she had sown and that had blossomed in due time into flowers and fruits. For beneath that mud we had laid to rest an educationist cum artist of creativity. That was Miss Edna Lobo as we addressed her at school.

I recollect my first day at Mater Dei School. It was in Sd. IX and the drawing period . Drawing was not my cup of tea . But I was impressed by her creative master strokes. However I soon realized that there was a place for me to in that class. I was allotted marks not for the drawing of accurate lines but for imagination, if I could explain my drawings creatively. I was the art critic of the class.

Soon we realized how the same master strokes were used in the teaching of English. We went with Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “ The Brook” . The chatter of waters was evident in monsoons for any student of the school who watched the waters gushing down from the Saligao hills. We saw poetic life flow in the class. And how she encouraged a small chintu recite the Charge of the Light Brigade with cannon to the right and cannon to the left of them . She would encourage use of imagination, innovation, creativity in writing English essays and articles.

In those days perhaps she was the first teacher to understand the use of examination as a teaching device rather than a tension building exercise. I understood the methodology only after years of my teaching experience in the educational field . We thought as young brats that we could bully her to make things easy in a tension building examination system . She was sympathetic and revised when we asked. There were plenty of hints thrown on important aspects. I realize today it made our goals achievable. She had the art of doing it. We had learnt without even realizing the mountain that we had climbed.

The Love of Humanity , she inspired in her Red Cross programmes. In the evening sessions of Red Cross we went through the suffering mankind on the battlefield of Solferino, where Henry Dunant discovered himself. I still remember the trip to Tara Devi Red Cross camp at Simla, where I represented one of Goa’s participants. She was regarded highly in the Red Cross Circles, and Mater Dei school as such sent participants to each and every camp , the students on every occasion coming out with laurels. It was her dedication to the movement .

In fact Miss Edna Lobo could handle any subject on humanities with great relish. In fact we thought she was born into teaching. Whether it was hereditary or environment she had her parents Mr. Anacleto Lobo one of Goa’s past great educationist , founder and Principal and her mother Mrs. I. Lobo, also an experienced teacher . As we bid adieu at the Saligao Cemetery , I look around the green Goan hills and realize , another Goan has inscribed her name on the annals of educational roll of Goan greats.

The Art of Gusppounk

By Carmo D’Souza

Konkani is a rich language which uses words with a variety of calours. People while talking, use the language artistically as they would do a welcoming Rangoli in front of their houses. One such word is guspounk which means to meander aimlessly, or to be in a confused state or … Of course the primary postulate is that Konkani words cannot be exhaustive - postulate as rule need no proof

Well Gusponk is a art either carefully cultivated or formed unconsciously. Imagine Maria who has the habit of preparing herself for any schedule well before time. As her husband goes for his suit and boot, she is ready at the doorstep. But at the time of leaving her home, she meanders aimlessly seeking for trinkets. It may be a broche , a house or car keys or a purse. The hunt goes well beyond the scheduled time . In this sense Gusponk is an unconscious habit formed perhaps from childhood environment.

I had a professor friend who had a fancy of being photograph. He had made a prize collection of valuable clicks with all the possible celebrities of Goa. He had successfully cultivated the art of Gusponk. For any occasion he was the uninvited guest. He used to roam confidently around the whole place as if he was the host. When the photographer was about to click the chief guest , my friend would appear on the scene . Next day my friend’s face was blown over the newspapers of Goa along with the chief guest. He had combined the art of gusponk with that of gussonk

There are also confused Goans , who have a tendency to fall by tripping on their own legs. “ Tejeache pavank guspollo” Perhaps it is this habit that has kept many Goans from being achievers. They do need a reorientation exercise.

Gusponk in all its senses is prevalent amidst the whole Goan community. Perhaps our politicians too have either cultivated it to a finer extent.. They have the tendency to tie Goa’s problems in a complex knot , just like thread has the tendency to gusponk.

I intend to make a longer article…..But Sorry . Guspollo.

The Art of Gusponk

The Art of Gusppounk

By Carmo D’Souza

Konkani is a rich language which uses words with a variety of calours. People while talking, use the language artistically as they would do a welcoming Rangoli in front of their houses. One such word is guspounk which means to meander aimlessly, or to be in a confused state or … Of course the primary postulate is that Konkani words cannot be exhaustive - postulate as rule need no proof.

Well Gusponk is a art either carefully cultivated or formed unconsciously. Imagine Maria who has the habit of preparing herself for any schedule well before time. As her husband goes for his suit and boot, she is ready at the doorstep. But at the time of leaving her home, she meanders aimlessly seeking for trinkets. It may be a broche , a house or car keys or a purse. The hunt goes well beyond the scheduled time . In this sense Gusponk is an unconscious habit formed perhaps from childhood environment.

I had a professor friend who had a fancy of being photograph. He had made a prize collection of valuable clicks with all the possible celebrities of Goa. He had successfully cultivated the art of Gusponk. For any occasion he was the uninvited guest. He used to roam confidently around the whole place as if he was the host. When the photographer was about to click the chief guest , my friend would appear on the scene . Next day my friend’s face was blown over the newspapers of Goa along with the chief guest. He had combined the art of gusponk with that of gussonk

There are also confused Goans , who have a tendency to fall by tripping on their own legs. “ Tejeache pavank guspollo” Perhaps it is this habit that has kept many Goans from being achievers. They do need a reorientation exercise.

Gusponk in all its senses is prevalent amidst the whole Goan community. Perhaps our politicians too have either cultivated it to a finer extent.. They have the tendency to tie Goa’s problems in a complex knot , just like thread has the tendency to gusponk.

I intend to make a longer article…..But Sorry . Guspollo.