What is the connection between Hypothermia, a commonly used surgical term and Goa’s turbulent politics of the 1990s-2000s? Or did you know that one erroneous word published in a news report led to the downfall of the Goa government in 1994?
This book is for you if you come up blank. And for those who do know, there’s just so much more to read up in ‘Dr. Wilfred De Souza – A Journey With An Exceptional Leader of Goa’ by Daniel Albuquerque, an authorized biography of one of the most well-known, outspoken, witty and intelligent politicians of our time.
‘Dr. Wilfred De Souza – A Journey With An Exceptional Leader of Goa’ was unveiled at the beautiful Sunaparanta, Althinho – Panaji which is also the venue partner for the event. Mrs. Margaret Alva, Former Governor of Rajastan and a friend of Dr. Wilfred De Souza graced the occasion in the presence of family, friends, contemporaries and well wishers of Dr. Wilfred De Souza
Author Siddharth Dhanvat Shangvi was in conversation with Dr. Wilfred De Souza, Mrs. Margaret Alva and Daniel Albuquerque at the launch event and offered the audience an insight into the life and time of Dr. Willie, as he is fondly called.
A committee has been formed for the launch of the book Dr Wilfred De Souza, A Journey With An Exceptional Leader of Goa. The committee is headed by the Chairman Mr. Anil Counto. Members of the Committee are Mr. Narayan Bandekar, Mr. Cesar Menezes, Dr. Mrs. Pramod Salgaocar, Dr. Sydney Pinto Rosario and Mr. Jose Elmano Coelho Pereira.
Said Anil Counto, Chairman of the Committee, “I was pleasantly surprised when requested to chair the committee and deeply honored to do so as my association and friendship with Dr. De Souza and his family, both on the personal and business front exceeds 35 years. Everyone is aware that I am neither actively involved in politics nor branded as a supporter of any political party, even though I have close friends in almost all political parties in Goa. However I have a special fascination for Dr. Willie for his entrepreneurship and versatility in the professional, social and political field.
Published by Rajhauns Sankalpana Pvt. Ltd, the 303-page book charts the rise of Dr. Wilfred De Souza, who loved to climb on the gnarly boughs of cashew trees in Aldona as a child, but eventually grew up to climb to the pinnacle of Goa’s political path, to become the state’s chief minister thrice.
‘Dr. Wilfred De Souza – A Journey With An Exceptional Leader of Goa’ also provides a chronological account of Dr. Wilfred De Souza’s life, journeys and pursuits, both as a clinical surgeon and as a gutsy, wily politician with more than a liberal peppering of anecdotes, which richly adorn the life of this octogenarian politician.
Just why the Uganda-born Dr. Wilfred De Souza is regarded as Goa’s Chanakya, the wily Indian sage who authored the Arthashastra considered as one of the most revered treatises on statecraft and strategy? This book has more than one answer.
Interspersed with Dr. Wilfred De Souza’s story, are memorable photographs of the statesman from the time he was a uniformed school boy to cozy family photos to images of his days in power and out of it.
While it would be an un-envious task to sift through the treasure trove of information about Dr. Wilfred De Souza, for incorporation into a single book, the author Albuquerque, through an unending series of anecdotes and engaging narration, manages to bring to the fore several unknown facets about Dr. Wilfred De Souza.
And there’s a lot more, like the excerpt below which shows the ease with which Dr. Wilfred De Souza blended the world of surgery with politics, by using a surgical principle to implement his political will and strategy.
“After the Bangladesh war in 1971, Indira Gandhi rode to power on an unprecedented popular wave. The rival Congress that had originated due to the split in 1969 was erased. In the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, UGP and Congress allied. Dr. Jack Sequeira asked me to help the common candidate Purushottem Kakodkar who was the candidate from North Goa. I went for the initial meeting where it was discussed that a grand campaign should be held. Finally, I was asked as to what my strategy would be. I answered in one word: ‘Hypothermia’. It is a method used in surgery to bring down the metabolism of the patient to cut down on one’s activity which aids in an operation. I drew out a quiet door-to-door campaign and took measures to make it appear to the Opposition that there is no competition.” He describes the low-key campaign.
“It was so low-key that the Opposition thought they had a walkover. But we won by over 3000 votes”. He states gleefully.
There’s plenty more in the book’s 303 pages, including Dr. Wilfred De Souza’s personal account of the goings on of Goa’s most tumultuous two decades, the 1990s-2000s, which saw 18 chief ministers (including Dr. Wilfred De Souza, thrice) and unending political potboilers month-on-month, as Goa, a young State came into its own.
Said Mrs. Margaret Alva, who came down to Goa especially for the launch of the book, “Dr Willie has been a close friend of mine and of my husband for over 40 years. We have known each other personally and professionally. One cannot help but like Dr. Willy. He’s truly a wonderful person and I am delighted to be here today at the launch of my very good friend Dr. Wilfred de Souza”.
The book provides valuable comment not only about the rough-and-tumble tactics in the corridors of power, but also incisive insight about important personalities of our time including Prime Ministers like Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Morarji Desai, Goan politicians like Jack Sequeira, Pratapsing Rane, Ramakant Khalap, Eduardo Faleiro and some of the Governors who were posted here.
What makes the book most significant and relevant, is perhaps because it is for the first time that a politician of such eminence has offered a frank recount of Goan political history’s most turbulent era. Not to forget that between the 1990-2000 decades Dr. Wilfred De Souza was one of the most powerful politicians, who was a mover and shaker, both when in power and out of it.
Daniel Albuquerque has authored more than half a dozen books, and is a writer with the Oxford University Press for advanced education. He has been acquainted with Dr. Wilfred De Souza for the past two decades.
The book will be available for sale at leading book stores.
Goa Newswire 