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. J  

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 “ -  The seriousness with which it was played was palpable with Pinto Uncle flaring up if someone made a silly or tactical mistake.  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.  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