PANAJI
Barely three weeks after a priest with roots to Aldona was appointed the next bishop of the Diocese of Columbus in Ohio-USA, residents in Aldona are elated yet again as another grandson of the village has been elevated to one of the senior-most positions in his vocation, this time as the second-highest active rank in the Indian Army.
News of the appointment of Major General Michael Anthony Jude Fernandez as Lieutenant General went viral on social media, with messages of congratulations pouring in from Aldona and across the world.
While Major General Fernandez’ father hailed from Saligao, his mother was from Aldona. Incidentally, his wife, Pearl Fiona, is also from Aldona and they were married in the St Thomas Church, Aldona, in January 1994.
Aldonkars reacted with joy at the news that Major General Fernandez will join an elite band of eight Goans to have risen to the topmost echelons of the Indian Army when he picks up the 3-star rank within a few weeks.
“It is indeed a very proud moment for our family, for Aldona village and Goa as well, that Major General Fernandez has risen to the second-highest active rank in the Indian Army, due to his hard work and sheer determination to attain such a position,” said Paul D’Souza, brother-in-law of Major General Fernandez.
“He loves being in Aldona, as he says his roots and identity are here. He has a nice holiday when he is down and enjoys the bands playing at various shows, not forgetting the beat shows that used to take place in earlier times as music is his passion. He keeps in touch with the music scenario in Goa,” D’Souza added.
Gail Misquita of Ranoi-Aldona, a schoolmate and friend of Pearl, said: “It is indeed an occasional of great joy, excitement and celebration for all Goans and in a special way for us Aldonkars to salute Major General Fernandez, for having been elevated as Lieutenant General. A career in the army is nothing short of a 'vocation' and entails tremendous self-discipline, sacrifice, vision and an undying patriotic love for our country.”
“I recall meeting Major General Fernandez at our Church in Aldona where he participated in Mass with his family during their holiday time spent with his in-laws. I remember him as a humble and simple always smiling Major General, with impeccable mannerisms.”
“I also salute Pearl, my schoolmate and friend at St Thomas Girl’s High School, Aldona, for being such a wonderful partner to our Major General Fernandez. Congratulations and may God guide and protect him and our motherland India,” Misquita added.
Added Nirmala D’Cruz: “Congratulations on achieving such a position. Surely it must be a great moment for the entire family as it is to all of us Aldonkars.”
Earlier on April 2, Pope Francis appointed 49-year-old Fr Earl K Fernandes as the next bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio-USA. While the mother of Bishop-elect Fernandes hails from Aldona, his father's family hails from Mangalore.
