A tribute to George Menezes (April 10, 1928 – September 9, 2016)
Kanpur: Two years ago I did a review of the book “The Naked Liberal,“ on anthology on George Menezes, written by Selma Carvalho. I enjoyed reading the book, and also writing the review; because it was a labor of love for someone I loved, cherished and respected.
Now he has crossed to the other shore and will probably be surprised to find himself no longer “naked,” for he will be covered with “the robe of righteousness” (cf Rev 7:9), with a halo teasingly resting on his bald pate! St Peter would not have been surprised to find George Menezes at the Pearly Gates, but by George, I am sure that he would have been pleasantly surprised to find himself up there, and now beaming down on us with a wily wink.
Now that he has been liberated from his suffering body (he was in the ICU of Holy Family Hospital, Mumbai for quite a few days) he will be even more liberal, experiencing the glorious liberty of the children of God (cf Rom8:21).
Toward the end of the anthology there is a chapter “Watching my own Passing Away.” It is a naked liberal’s flight of fancy about his own funeral. In typically self-deprecating humor (indicative of a wise and humble person) he portrays only three persons at his funeral – a frustrated money lender, a jilted lover and a cop looking for the dead body!
Now that the chapter has closed I daresay that there are many of us who are indebted to him, his passing on has broken our hearts, and we sure know where to find him, for he has gone ahead of us into Galilee (cf Mk 16:7). And lest I forget, there were more than the imaginary three mourners at his funeral celebrated by Bp Perceval Fernandes at St Andrew’s Church, Bandra, on September 11.
Though I am familiar with George’s writings, his humor, his persona and his family, I will here restrict myself to his role as a lay leader of the Catholics. It was way back in 1986, when I was attending the Annual General Meeting of the All India Catholic Union (AICU) for the first time, in what was then Calcutta. The organization was going through a rough patch and leadership crisis.
It was through the intervention of late Bishop Patrick D’Souza of Varanasi, that George’s name was proposed for the National President (NP). Ironically, George himself was not there, but Antony Vellara, the indefatigable Secretary General of the AICU, lobbied hard for George, and he got elected in absentia. At that time the presidentship of the AICU was looked upon as a crown of thorns. George willing donned, and subsequently adorned it.
At the time he was an Executive Member of the BJP, which he termed a political experiment. He now felt that this was incompatible with his new role as the NP of the AICU. He immediately relinquished his position in the BJP. That was the naked liberal in him.
How effective the training was is evidenced by the fact, that even though north India hardly counts for anything in the real politick of the Catholic Church, it produced 3 NPs for the AICU – myself from 1990 – 1994, Norbert D’Souza of Jhansi/Lucknow (1996 – 2000), and Dr Remy Denis of Gorakhpur (2008 – 2012). As one of the recommendations of that program Remy was also appointed a member of Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission. The fruit was there for all to see.
I have never forgotten his gems of wisdom. Talking about leadership he said a rider was galloping through a village when a villager asked him “Where are you going?” The reply came fast and furious, “Don’t ask me, ask the horse where it is taking me“! It would have sounded silly, had it not been true of so many of our leaders in various fields. He then asked us if a bald man like himself could be a model for a Brylcreem ad? His not so obvious answer was “Yes, this is what will happen to your pate if you don’t use Brylcreem.”
The man was brilliant, converting adversity into an opportunity. Another endearing gem was that a public person was public property to be used and abused. How true of Effective Christian leadership.
He told us the story of the hen and the pig. They passed a shop selling farm fresh eggs and bacon. The hen boasted of how it gave its eggs for others to consume. The pig retorted that its own commitment was total, for without dying we could not get its bacon. Thanks George, you gave us the bacon and the eggs.
Let me now tell an anecdote that probably nobody knows. The next AGM of the AICU was being held in 1988. Nobody expected George to not stand for re-election. As a result nobody filed any nomination, George, the naked liberal, included. At the time he was away in France. Trust him. I then “conspired” to have his nomination papers “sent” to France, and get them submitted in time! Else we would have had a constitutional crisis on our hands. After two terms he felt that it was time for change. Back then nobody wanted to don the crown of thorns as the NP of the AICU.
He chose me in 1990, as his handpicked successor. After a long line of eminent and venerable personalities – Members of Parliament, Chevaliers and Professors, from the Catholic bastions of the south and the west; here was a 39-year-old northerner, a college dropout, on whom he bestowed the mantle of leadership. I believe that I lived up to the trust that he reposed in me.
George gave us our bacon and eggs, taught us how to hold the reins of the horse, and a lot more that would make this obit too long. It was he who gave me the KISS for my writings. He had said, “Keep It Short Stupid”! As he now enjoys the heavenly repast I wish the Naked Liberal Au Revoir, till we meet again, up there hopefully.
(The writer succeeded George Menezes as AICU National President from 1990 to 1994.)