The Pinto’s I know
My association / acquaintance and then
friendship began in the Year 1970 – Deepawalee.
The mahurath / beginning was created by
the most pretty Alice Pinto who saw one hapless friendless chappu accross in
the neighbouring building balcony watching them play badminton every evening.
She introduced me to et all – provided
me with a racket so that I could join in.
A humble beginning to a great
relationship, foundation laid – took off then between me and the Pinto’s.
The family warmth, love, affection,
care and hospitality was and is contagious to put it mildly ( this I say out of
experience and “ Dilse “ ).
THE MEMBERS
1) Odleemai
2) A.F.Pinto
( Uncle )
3) Mary (
Aunty )
4) Roque
John Pinto ( Silent Brain )
5) Alice
Pinto ( The International Art Girl )
6) Anita
Judith Pinto ( Sweet Little Adorable Quiet Girl )
7) Ronnie
Pinto ( Smiling Dude )
8) Robin
Pinto ( Parrot )
The Pinto’s were so very clean and firm
in their minds that if you are a friend of the family – you are accepted well
uniformly. Well, friendships with the Pinto’s have lasted decades and an entire
life time.
The Pinto’s were frequented by all
their cousins viz – mary aunty’s sisters and their children.
Naturally, they too accepted me as a
friend at par. J
Again, I would like to re-iterate that the love was uniform. We all had fun
together as school and college kids.
The Pinto’s lived in a huge Cluster of
Buildings in a Society and all other family’s loved the Pinto’s – this gave me
wider acceptance and more friends.
From then On – I felt blessed to be
happy in life – and this was made possible by the Pinto’s.
I had an edge over all the 5 pinto’s in
me able to talk in the vernacular Kannada with the Senior Pinto’s ( Anthony and
Mary ). Ofcourse, we spoke no secrets but loved it as we could brush up our
native language which also formed the script for entire Karnataka.
We boys – Roque and Yours truly, used
to often play Cricket inside the Society Compound next to a pretty sprawling
garden with the rest of the building boys and the neighbourhood boys. Now these
sessions are memorable as it was impromptu and all in good fun. J We still remember it and speak about
it fondly.
The senior Pinto’s never objected to
our sporting skills as they believed we should excel in everything.
The moment the Sun Set – Mary Pinto
expected us back into the house and would allow us to further chat for a while.
Come exams – the Pintos were very
studious and faired very well – which was a natural encouragement to all who
came in contact with them.
Here, I have to make a special mention
introducing the extremely “ Sweet Odleemai “ – I nicknamed her “ aatthaa tu
gharaavos “ – ha ha ha.
We were in different classes and the
exams in different schools varied – if the Pinto children were preparing for
exams – Odleemai would sweetly send me home with her titular power. J Though sad to leave I used to obey and
leave.
Most Sunday’s after the Pinto’s
returned from the Sunday Mass – they would leisurely indulge in a Card game
called “ Mendi Coat “ - J The
seriousness with which it was played was palpable with Pinto Uncle flaring up
if someone made a silly or tactical mistake. J His
feelings were – “ how could you be so dumb “ – ha ha ha – I kept away as my
memory could often fail ( in those days – now I am a good Bridge Player – due
to service in the Merchant Navy ) and the fear of being chided by the Senior
Pinto was too much for me. J ha ha
ha
Growing up with the Pinto’s was
extremely enjoyable and my family always knew my whereabouts as the only place
I went to was the Pinto’s house. J
Time and Tide waits for no man – we
grew up – we got married – set up our own families with it we got separated. (
not in the mind and heart )
Since 1976, with a Seagoing Career – I
was as it is - absent most of the time ( almost a year for sure – once I was
sea bound ) and it was only in my holidays – I could re – visit the Pinto’s and
resume my sweet ties with them. J Here,
I must make a mention that, though at Sea and on Ship, I ensured that I knew
about their welfare and them about me via – this sweet little girl – Anita
Judith Pinto. She was all grace and did reply my letters diligently with a lot
of “ masala “ – However, I would once in a way – write to Anita – complaining –
no letters from her – since a long time and that I feel cut off and lonely – W
O W – that was enough for her to react so sweetly – “ DOWN WHICH DRAIN ARE ALL
MY LETTERS GOING “ – OMG – ha ha ha -
The junior Pinto’s got married one by
one and I too settled down in the Year 1982 – migrating to Bengaluru.
Slowly, we saw Alice moving to Italy
married to Pascal. Roque married to Cynthia – picking up his business traits
and strength in the Gulf Countries – Doha Qatar. J Anita gets married to Ramu and moves
over to Dubai. Ronnie too gets married and moves to Muscat. Robin ( the rock of
the Pinto family – not Gibraltar ) remains firmly the flag bearer of the Pinto
Laundry business ( somebody had to do it ) Robin too got married to a Konkani /
kannada speaking lady and settled down in the Pinto home in Mumbai and did not
leave the shores of our country.
Hence, whenever I came to Mumbai, I
would make it a point to visit – Robin and get the news and whereabouts of the
rest of the other Pinto friends. J
The sad part of human life was we had
to part with Anthony Francis Pinto and then much later Mary Pinto ( mere dil ke
tukde ajar huey – ek vaan gira – ek thaangiraaaa ) – Odleemai had left us even
before.
Can you believe, I Have never met
Ronnie Pinto since the 80’s till this date.
To date, fortunately, Roque, Alice,
Anita, Robin are in my Whats App lists ( gift of technology ) and distances do
not matter.
I always Pray Fervently that all the
Pinto’s I know from this family live well with pink of health, wealth and
Cheer.
I am certain and know that they do
contact me from time to time and Me them.
God Bless the Pinto’s.
My most respected Shraddhanjali’s to
Odleemai, Uncle Pinto and Mary Aunty.
R A M E S H
