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Adil Shah of Vijayapura (formerly known as Bijapur) invaded Bardes and Salcette in 1570 and
Seeing the high standard of Hockey and the enthusiasm of the players, the Mysore State Women’s Hockey Association decided to field a Team to participate in the Senior National Women’s Hockey Championship; for the first time . Elvera was chosen as its Captain and that was the start of a hockey career which brought laurels to Mysore State (now Karnataka) , winning the title for no less than 8 years in succession. Her skill at the game and strategy as Captain caused her to move from Club to State matches, then National to International Level. She captained the Indian Team as well , also at international level. Under her Captainship and with a band of zealous players, they won 95% of the matches. Her name has been etched in the name of Women’s Hockey and she was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1966 . Still young, she quit playing in 1967 owing to a misunderstanding between the Indian Women’s Hockey Association and the State Hockey Association. Elvera’s passion for the game continued unabated. She became President of the State Hockey Association and with her encouragement much talent emerged and no less than 2 Karnataka Players won the Arjuna Award. Later she became a Selector for the Indian Women’s Team and was appointed by the Union Government as the Govt. Nominee and Observer for Women’s Hockey. Hockey aside, Elvera was a multi-talented person. Her Oil-paintings from Sceneries to portraits, adorn the homes of her family members. She was well known for her Japanese/Ikebana Flowerarrangements and won the first prize every year. She won 7 first prizes , one year, and was presented with the Hombe Gowda Shield. She was an expert at Batik printing and even had an exhibition of her prints. She shared this talent at the Alliance Francaise by teaching this art of Batik printing. Her flair for Cake-making and cooking most appetizing dishes, was another thing much appreciated and relished.
Rarely in Sport , will you find other members of a family in the same Team and playing together for some years. In 1960 , 4 of them (sisters) played for Mysore State at the first National Championship (Priscilla, Elvera, Rita & Mae), and 3 of them - Elvera, Rita & Mae represented India in the 1960’s. As they look back, they all agree that though the going was tough - be it travel conditions, inadequate arrangements as they travelled the length and breadth of the country, to lack of encouragement & support; what motivated them was their joy to play for the glory of the State and for the glory of India. Their motto was : "Do or Die !! For … When the Great Scorer writes against your name, He’ll ask not whether you won or lost, but how you played the game. “ (famous autograph words).
It may be noted that the Choice of the receipient of this tribute was came about after the India Post authorities came across an article in "Mangalore Today" Magazine June 2022 Issue.
On the reverseof the Special First
Day Cover it says : ELVERA BRITTO (16.06.1940 - 26.04.2022) former International Hockey player and Captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team, and daughter of late Robert Henry Britto; an employee of P&T department , passed away on 26th April 2022. She excelled at Hockey in the 1960s. and was the second woman Hockey Player to receive that Arjuna Award In the year 1966. She also Captained the victorious Mysore State (now Karnataka) Hockey Team which won the Senior National Championships for 8 years in a row 1960-1967. Department of Posts Feels proud to pay tribute to this great Veteran Hockey Player by releasing this Special Cover during National Sports Day 2022.
- Ivan Saldanha-Shet.
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The Cultural Identity of Konknni Catholics
Pratapananda Naik, SJ Loyola Hall, Miramar, Goa 06th August 2022
On 8th September, Catholics and Orthodox Churches celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary all over the world. In Goa, in the sixteenth century this feast was called Mônti Fest. Now unfortunately, this name is forgotten in Goa, and it is merely called the Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary. In Sindhudurg Diocese it is now known as Feast of the Our Lady of Vailankanni. However, today Mônti Fest is the most popular and important cultural and family feast among the Konknni Catholics of Karnataka. It must be noted that the 98 to 99% of Konknni speaking Catholics and Hindus of Karnataka, are originally from Goa. They migrated from Goa to Coastal Karnataka from 16th
