Chief Minister, Shri Digambar Kamat released two books by Shri John Aguiar at a function on April 9, 2011 at Goa Chamber of Commerce Hall, Panjim. “Gulmohar”) - is a collection of Konkani poems while “Offside- is a collection of English essays and miscellaneous writings.
Well Known Poet Shri Madhav Borkar, Shri Fredrick Noronha, Journalist and Publisher Goa 1556, Shri Manguerish Pai Raikar and Konkani poet Shri Sanjeev Verekar, Shri Mukesh Thali, Publisher Deepanjali prakashan, Shri Navdeep Aguiar were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kamat congratulated Shri Aguiar for his efforts in penning down two books despite of his busy schedule in the Government service. He appreciated his work in different fields and said, that he was a multifaceted personality and therefore his services needs to be utilized by the State. Shri Kamat urged Shri Aguiar to continue his committed service.
Poet Madhavbab Borkar said book “Gulmohar” is a beautiful manifestation of the poet’s feeling towards life and the realities around him. Shri Aguiar’s poetry is positive in nature, he said.
Poet Shri Sanjeev Verekar and Shri Mukesh Thali narrated their experiences with Shir John Aguiar during the Konkani movement and literary programmes during the youth days.
Shir Manguerish Raikar said that a mechanism should be worked out that the booked is reaches maximum readership. Shri Fredrick Noronha felt that books should reach more and more readers.
Writer and Poet Shri Aguiar’s in his welcome address thanked all the well wishers and friends for standing with him during his days of sorrows and success and hoped for continued support from them. He said the second poetry book comes after a gap of 15 years.
Shri Aguiar said that while in St. Mary’s High School, Ponda he wrote poems while still in the school and his first poem “Tin Rongi Bavtto” was published in “Uzvadd” edited by Late Evagrio Jorge and thus his journey into the literary world began. Thereafter he wrote articles and poems for Rashtramat, Vauradeancho Ixtt, Novem Goem, Gulab, Sunaparant and others.
Shri Navdeep Aguiar proposed a vote of thanks while Shri Mukesh Thali and Shri Sanjeev Zarmekar compered the function.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were Shri S. Valmiki Faleiro, Shri Naguesh Karmali , Shri Ramesh Veluskar, Smt. Savita John Aguiar, Smt. Natasha Ferreira, Dr.Meenakshi Martins, Secretary , Department of Sainik Welfare, Maj. Venugopal Nair, President of National Association for the Blind, Shri Rozendo Mendonca, Secretary, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Goa State Shri James Fernandes, Poet Shri Bhikaji Ghanekar, Principal of St. Mary’s High School, Ponda, Sr. Annie Paul, Vice President of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Goa State Dr. Sidney Pinto do Rosario, Poet Shri Bharat Naik, Magician D. Satish, Prof. Prajal Sakardande, Prof. Anju Sakhardande, Senior Journalist Smt. Devika Sequeira, Artist Shri Naguesh Sardessai, President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Shri Prashant Naik, Editor of Prudent Shri Sandesh Prabhudessai, Shri Sidharth Yaji and others.
