Gerald Pereira

Gerald Antonio Eustaqio de Monte Pereira was born on 20 September 1929 in Vasco da Gama, Goa in Portuguese India, to the Goan Catholic family of Xavier Pereira, who worked for a technical firm in Bombay, British India. While studying at the St Joseph's Institute in Vasco, Pereira began participating in the Goa liberation movement after being influenced by his school teacher, Dattatraya Deshpande, who was a freedom fighter. Deshpande was arrested after he hoisted the Indian flag and distributed nationalist pamphlets in Vasco. Pereira escaped to Bombay, leaving his education incomplete. == Goa liberation movement (1952–1955) ==

While in Bombay, Pereira completed his Master of Arts at St. Xavier's College, and an LLB from Siddharth College of Law. On 13 December 1952, while he was still a student, he participated actively in a demonstration that displayed black flags to the then Portuguese Governor-General, who was visiting the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Pereira was a member of the GPP's central committee and the editor of its publication, Goan Age. As part of the GPP, he also addressed many public meetings on issues like the planning of satyagrahas, encouragement of women to join the freedom struggle, and the removal of the economic blockade of Goa. Pereira also published flyers and booklets related to the Goan freedom struggle, including Viva 18th June Movement and Goan Question Reconsidered. In June that year, he was part of a delegation of 11 Goans chosen for consultation by then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Pereira was active in Bombay's trade union movement, and worked with T. B. Cunha, B. T. Ranadive, S. A. Dange and G. Adhikari. He was also the Secretary of the T. B. Cunha Memorial Committee. == Post-Annexation of Goa ==

Trade unionism (1962–1974) After the Annexation of Goa on 19 December 1961, Pereira led a strike in the port harbour on 12 January 1962 and founded the first trade union in Goa in Mormugao Port, the Marmagao Port, Dock and Transport Workers' Union, now known as the Mormugao Waterfront Workers' Union, on 20 January 1962. In 1964–1965, Pereira led another strike of the Port workers for the formation of the Mormugao Dock Labour Board. Pereira was then arrested and imprisoned in the Bicholim sub-jail. This led to the formation of the Action Committee of Trade Unions and Mass Organisations in Goa. Sandesh Prabhudesai describes Pereira as "an expert in history and political science". Political career (1962–1968) Pereira was one of the founders of the Goa branch of the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), He was also the General Secretary of the Goa branch of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Pereira was a member of the CITU Working Committee. He was defeated by Urminda Mascarenhas. Other work In 1966, Pereira was chosen to visit the Soviet Union as part of the AITUC delegation of the Indo-Soviet Cultural Society (ISCUS). He was also a part of organisations like the Goan Arts and Culture League, Goa Mundkar and Shetkari Sabha, and the Indo-Cuban Solidarity Centre (CESIC). == Personal life ==

Pereira married Luisa Carvalho, a medical practitioner and also a freedom fighter, on 24 December 1960 under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. She was also an active member of the CPI(M) and CITU in Goa. Together, they had 3 children, none of whom were initiated into any religion. Pereira lived in Vasco and Bombay, moving to Bombay after he was outlawed in his school days and came back to Vasco only after the Annexation of Goa. == Illness and death ==

Pereira had a heart attack on 2 June 1975 and was admitted to KEM Hospital, Bombay. After his discharge in August 1975, he began working on an underground campaign against the Indian Emergency while recuperating in Bombay. He moved back to Goa in February 1976 and immediately continued his trade union work. He died on 4 March 1976, after suffering another heart attack. == Works ==

• Viva 18th June Movement • Goan Question Reconsidered • Editor, Selected Writings of Dr. T. B. Cunha == References ==