MARGAO
Goa’s celebrated fisherman Pele Fernandes gave his piece of advice to the students and youth to say no to drugs and alcohol, but to use their energy in the field of sports and studies.
Pele was invited for an interactive session by VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics, Margao organised by the Yuva Tourism Club at the institution.
When he was questioned by a student whether the hippie culture is still prevalent along the beach belt, Pele replied in the negative, saying that he had seen as a young fisherman decades ago, hippies roaming naked on the beach. He, however, said that the hippie culture has long ended and people no longer come naked on the beach.
While saying that the drug culture has come into the State at some beach belts, Pele advised the younger generation to stay away from drugs and alcohol. “Use your energy in the field of sports, be it football, cricket, basketball, volleyball etc. But, stay away from drugs and alcohol,” he advised.
Asked to narrate his experience after meeting ace cricketer Sachin Tendulkar at Benaulim beach, Pele said he was thrilled to have a meeting with Sachin which came by chance at Benaulim beach. “Sachin and his wife were putting up at the Taj Exotica, Benaulim when I came across the wife who was taking a walk on the beach. I introduced myself to his wife, pointing out that I and her husband are passionate about football and cricket. I told her that I would be happy to meet Tendulkar and I invited him to either come for the fishing trip or dolphin trip the next day,” Pele recalled.
He said Sachin was happy to be part of the fishing trip as he helped the fishermen to pull the traditional fishing gear (rampon). “Since he wanted the fresh fish to be cooked, I invited Sachin, his wife and son to my restaurant located adjacent Taj Exotica for a lunch,” he said, while expressing satisfaction that Sachin went back happy after having the fresh seafood.
He also recalled his experience after meeting British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s wife, Akshata and her two children after taking them on a dolphin trip off Benaulim coast.
