By Ashwin Fernandes –
“Whoever serves me, must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me”. – John 12:26
John Anthony Misquitta, a true East Indian at heart, and a managing committee member of the Bombay East Indian Association (BEIA), set one of the best examples of the above biblical quote by St. John, and his entire life bears testimony to it. Originally, a resident of the Gowari gaothan at Wadala, John was an integral part of the St. Roque’s Organisation, and assisted Louis Barretto in the activities of the organisation. Much later, even though he shifted to Kalyan, he made sure that he attended most of the meetings for the betterment and uplift of the East Indian community.
The Bombay East Indian Association was established on 26th May 1887 to advance the education, employment, duties, rights and economic backwardness of the East Indians. There are many versions of the history of East Indians. Some areas are hotly debated. Whether they are converts from the 6th century or 15th Century. There is, however, no debate that they are the original inhabitants of Bombay, Salsette and Thana. There is no dispute of two apostles of Jesus, St. Bartholomew and St. Thomas having come to India and both having preached near Kalyan. While the world recognises South India to be converts of St. Thomas, hardly anyone recognises and accept the fact about the East Indian. There is a perpetual doubt if they “carried on” being Christians until the arrival of the Portuguese.
Coming back to John Misquitta, apart from his selfless and significant contribution to the community, he was also a well known social worker associated with many other organisations such as The Bombay Archdiocesan Commission for Inter Religious Dialogue, Institute For Ministry of Faith Enrichment, Sanjeevani Foundation, Prison Ministry India, amongst others.. He was also a catechist and zonal leader at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kalyan West in Mumbai.
“With the demise of John, the St. Roque’s Organisation and our community has lost a hardworking and dedicated East Indian. It is a big loss for the organisation. The void created by his death is difficult to fill for a long time.” This was the impromptu reaction by Louis Barretto, Hon.Gen. Secretary, St. Roque’s Organisation, Wadala, on hearing the news of John’s passing away. John was instrumental in planning and executing many social and cultural events, along with Louis Barretto and others, over the years, especially the Centenary celebrations of SRO in October 2017.
As former President of Bombay East Indian Association (BEIA), Advocate Vivian Dsouza aptly describes the gem of a selfless humanitarian and philanthropist, “John Misquitta was a fine team man. A proud East Indian, always having the community’s interest at heart. A person who was for decades was associated with The Bombay East Indian Association, he was faithful to his commitment and was a regular at the monthly meetings and all programmes of BEIA, though he had to travel all the way from Kalyan. You can be soft yet effective sums up John’s involvement. His insights were intellectual and thought provoking. Many decisions carried his suggestions which were both effective, yet contradicting no one.”
“His presence by my side at important functions and programmes was soothing and holistic. I often looked up to him for his affirmation on issues and I could always bank on his rich experience as a multi-talented social and community worker. Whilst history may not have recorded his contribution, we who worked close to him carry within us the Valuable Touch and Legacy of a Just Man gone too soon. John was truly one of the finest East Indians of our era. Bye bhava…sargache sukh hammes tula labho,” Dsouza added.
In John’s case, God takes away the best too soon. John left his earthly life for his eternal reward on 18th February 2022. His daughter Jasmine and son Juniper (married just a month ago), son-in-law Joslin Dsouza, daughter-in-law, Pramila, and grandson Joyston Dsouza survive him.
May the Lord Almighty take John’s departed soul to his heavenly abode and give his family strength and courage to bear this irreversible loss.