Mangalore: The Indefatigable Crusader, Biography of Eric Ozario Released in City

By Robert D Costa
Pics by Monark Studio, Dongarakeri
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 19 May 2014: The biography of Eric Ozario, Gurkar of Mandd Sobhann ®, world’s premier Konkani cultural organization, titled, ‘The indefatigable crusader’ authored by Royston Fernandes was released on Eric’s sixty-fifth birthday at Kalaangann, Makale, Shaktinagar, here on Sunday May 18.

Jesuit priest Dr John D’Souza, former chairman of Mangalore University chair in Christianity released the biography, ‘The indefatigable crusader’ from the chamber of fire, here on Sunday evening.

St Aloysius College former head of department of English and educationist Professor Sunny Tharappan felicitated Eric on the latter’s sixty-fifth birthday on the occasion.

Professor Tharappan in his felicitation address referred recent Nobel laureate Gabriel Markus’s quote, ‘Its not important how old you are; how old you feel,’ while elaborating on the personal traits of Eric, who emerged as more than crusader in his lifetime, waging struggle against injustice of priestly oppression and for the rights of ordinary folks.

Professor Tharappan further quoted the quote of Elliot, ‘Its escape from the personality, melt in crowd.’  Eric was the voice of voiceless, oppressed class and because of his leadership qualities; he could unite the workmen of undivided Dakshina Kannada district for a just cause.  He envisioned the vibrant Konkani community of different denominations to celebrate their diverse cultural splendor.  Eric is truly more than a crusader, said Professor Tharappan.

Mangalore University English Professor, member of International executive council and New Delhi-based Shastry Indo-Canadian Institute chairman Dr Ravishankar Rao, in his foreword emphasized on the early struggles of Eric, rise as a musician, teacher, seminarian and crusader against injustice to get the oppressed from the ghettos of bondage and his triumphant journey.  Eric was the champion of cause of the weak.  He was human rights activists brought human dignity to faceless industrial workers at Asylum Workshop run by clergies at Jeppu.  His yeomen service in promoting Konkani is legendary by setting up of Mandd Sobhann that has grown manifolds today, emphasized Dr Ravishankar.   

Jesuit clergy Dr John said that he was fortunate to release the book as VVIP NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco could not attend the function due to his heavy schedule.  Both Eric and Dr John had comradeship for nearly 40 years in their mission. He was persecuted by his superior by transferring him to a remote mission centre for his association with Eric, but he continued his contact and proud that Eric’s early struggles have paid off in the long term.  He alerted the Konkani community not to be mute spectators for injustice, because if one is fighting there are chances of wining or loosing, if one is not joining in fight, he has already lost the battle.  

 

 

Dr John welcomed the publishing of biography as the need was felt long ago.  The attempts were made on Eric’s sixtieth birthday by Neil D’Souza to author the book, titled, ‘Red and White,’ which was not materialized owing to various reasons.  At last, the book has been released for the benefit of greater number of readers, as it proves sustained efforts leads to victory and victory!   

 
The highlight of the event was Eric read out his Will amidst the cheering of gathering and distributed complimentary copies of book to the dear and loved ones.

Mandd Sobhann president Louis Pinto, Royston Fernandes, Eric’s wife Joyce, was present on the dais.

Vidya Dinker and Mandd Sobhann ® trustee Arun Raj Rodrigues compered the programme.

The book has 282 pages and priced at Rs 499. It was published by notionpress.com, Chennai. The proceeds from the sale of book will be donated to Jagotik Konknni Songhotton (JKS) – Global Konkani Organization.

The same book will be released at Tiatr Academy, Panjim on Saturday May 24 at 5.00pm.

The Konkani version of the book authored by Ronnie Arun will be released shortly.  

A large number of Konkani activists, well wishers of Eric and Joyce couple, and others were present on the occasion.