Teotonio Francisco Paulo Pereira[f] (18 March 1930 – 16 February 2022) was an Indian politician, social activist, musician, orator and businessman, who was a former member of the Goa Legislative Assembly, representing the St. Andre Assembly constituency from 1963 to 1977 and 1980 to 1984.[2][3][4]
Teotonio Pereira | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Pereira in 2015 | |
| Member of Goa Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 11 December 1963 – 5 January 1977 | |
| Preceded by | constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Shripad Cuncolienkar |
| Constituency | St. Andre[a] |
| Majority |
|
| In office 1980 – 26 December 1984 | |
| Preceded by | Shripad Cuncolienkar |
| Succeeded by | Shripad Cuncolienkar |
| Constituency | St. Andre |
| Majority | 4,200 (44.38%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Teotonio Francisco Paulo Pereira 18 March 1930 Goa Velha, Goa, Portuguese India, Portuguese Empire (now in India) |
| Died | 16 February 2022 (aged 91) Mapusa, Goa, India |
| Resting place | St. Jerome Cemetery, Mapusa, Goa, India 15°35′25″N 73°49′03″E / 15.590303°N 73.817500°E |
| Political party | United Goans Democratic Party (2002–2022)[c] |
| Other political affiliations |
|
| Spouse | Adelaide Novais Pereira |
| Children | 8; one deceased |
| Education | Music school in Parish Church[e] |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Profession | Musician |
| Committees |
|
Early and personal life
editTeotonio Francisco Paulo Pereira was born in Goa Velha, Goa. He completed his primary education from Govt. Primary School. He later completed his schooling from People's High School at Panaji. Pereira was married to Adelaide Novais Pereira, they had 9 children together. On 29 September 2020, Mario Pereira, aged 62, his fourth child died from Covid-19. Pereira was a polyglot and spoke Konkani, Portuguese, English and Hindi.[5]
Some of his hobbies included driving, gardening and singing, he also had a special interest in the transport business. Few of his recreation activities included football, movies, carom and dramas. Pereira also organized dramatic performances and folk songs.[2]
Career
editPereira was a four-term member of the Goa Legislative Assembly. He first contested in the 1963 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the St. Andre Assembly constituency on the United Goans (Sequiera Group) (UGS) ticket and emerged victorious by defeating chief ministerial candidate, Vishwanath Lawande of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). He served for five years from 1963 to 1967. He then successfully contested in the 1967 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the same constituency on the UGS ticket, he defeated MGP candidate, Melo Agosttinho Santana by a margin of 2,190 votes.[6]
Pereira then contested in the 1972 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the same constituency on the UGS ticket, he emerged victorious by defeating MGP candidate, Melo Agosttinho Santana by a margin of 1,366 votes.[7] He then unsuccessfully contested in the 1977 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the same consistency on the Janata Party ticket, he lost to Indian National Congress (INC) candidate, Shripad Cuncolienkar by a margin of 405 votes.[8]
Pereira next successfully contested in the 1980 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the St. Andre Assembly constituency on the Indian National Congress (U) ticket. He defeated MGP candidate, Shripad Cuncolienkar by a margin of 771 votes. He next unsuccessfully contested in the 1984 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election from the same constituency as an Independent candidate. He lost to INC candidate, Shripad Cuncolienkar by a margin of 1279 votes.[9]
Following his defeat in the prior election, Pereira didn't contest the 1989 Goa Legislative Assembly election. He next unsuccessfully contested the 1994 Goa Legislative Assembly election from the St. Andre Assembly constituency as an Independent candidate, he lost to INC member, Carmo Pegado by a margin of 6237 votes. Pereira last unsuccessfully contested in the 2002 Goa Legislative Assembly election from the same constituency on the United Goans Democratic Party ticket, he lost to INC candidate, Francisco Silveira by a margin of 6775 votes.
Death
editOn 16 February 2022, Pereira died from a brief illness while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mapusa. The funeral service was held the next day at 4:00 pm IST at St. Jerome Church, Mapusa.[10] The Goa Police honoured him with a 21-gun salute. Among those present at the funeral were Bishop Emeritus of Port Blair, Aleixo das Neves Dias, former St.Andre legislator, Francisco Silveira, Mapusa legislator, Joshua D'Souza, former union minister, Ramakant Khalap, former speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Tomazinho Cardozo and former MMC chairperson, Armindo Braganza.[4]
Reactions
editFormer Goa Leader of Opposition, Digambar Kamat expressed his grief and gave his condolences to the family. Goa chief minister, Pramod Sawant said that he was saddened by the demise of Pereira and also gave his condolences to the family on Twitter. Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai also tweeted, "An Era Ends; The demise of Teotonio Pereira, a member of Goa’s first legislative assembly brings profound sadness. He fought for Goa and her honour; her identity, culture and language".[11]
Ramakant Khalap and his family mourned the death of his neighbour and friend. He stated that Pereira was a multifaceted person who was deeply rooted in the Goan soil and defined him a real Bumiputera.[10] He also added that despite being from two different opposing political parties it never affected their friendship, Khalap also recalls that Pereira invited him to organise his wedding reception on the rooftop of his newly built house in 1977. He further added that Pereira was a singer, composer and artist and above all a decent human being.[11]
Former St. Andre M.L.A, Francisco Silveira in his condolence message added that Pereira will be always remembered for his work and being the leader of the common people in the St. Andre constituency. He further added that he was a good orator who won the hearts of the people and his selfless contribution in the constituency made him the leader of masses.[citation needed]
Positions held
edit- Member of the Committee of Petitions, 1964–65; 1965–66; 1967–68 (resigned in September 1967 from Committees of the House), 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74
- Chairman of Library Committee, 1980–81
- Member of Select Committee on Bill No. 25 of 1980- The Goa, Daman and Diu Registration of Tourist Trade Bill, 1980[2]
Notes
edit- ^ also known as Santo Andre prior 1994.
- ^ for the year 1967–1972; followed by the next term.
- ^ joined the party in c. 2002; may have left later.
- ^ majority of sources cited claim that Pereira was a member of the Indian National Congress (U), the official source from goavidhansabha.gov.in states that Pereira was a member of Congress (I).
- ^ possibly St. Andrews Church, Goa Velha.
- ^ few sources claim that Pereira's middle name was John.[1]
References
edit- ^ "Teotonio Pereira, MLA from Goa's 1st assembly, dies at 91 | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India. 17 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Goa Legislative Assembly". www.goavidhansabha.gov.in. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ "A doyen of Goan politics—Teotonio Pereira passes away at 92". oHeraldo. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Former MLA Teotonio Pereira laid to rest". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Paulo Travels owner falls prey to Covid". The Goan EveryDay. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ Diu (India), Goa, Daman and (1964). Government Gazette. Boletim Oficial.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Assembly, Goa, Daman and Diu (India) Legislative (1972). Debates; Official Report.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Reed, Sir Stanley (1977). Indian and Pakistan Year Book and Who's who. Bennett, Coleman.
- ^ Reed, Sir Stanley (1982). The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who. Bennett, Coleman & Company.
- ^ a b Desk, N. T. (17 February 2022). "Four-time MLA Teotonio Pereira passes away at 91 – The Navhind Times". Retrieved 10 December 2022.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Teotonio Pereira, MLA from Goa's 1st assembly, dies at 91 | Goa News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.