Raymond Miranda, Founder of 'Kathanjelo' passes away

Raymond Miranda, Founder of 'Kathanjelo',
Co-founder/editor of 'Kannik' passes away

Chicago:

Raymond was born in Kinnigoly on June 1, 1931 to the is the late John Francis Miranda and the late Joanna Miranda. He was the first son among the nine children of the late John Francis and the late Joanna Miranda (nee D’Souza) of Bajpe, beloved husband of the late Agnes Miranda (nee Martis), passed away due to cardiac arrest on Sunday, February 1, 2009.

He started his education at Pejavar (Pezar) Primary School. He joined St. Aloysius High School and St. Aloysius College (B. Com). He became a Chartered Accountant (C.A.), and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Economics and also Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He had also passed the Hindi Visharad (was like a B.A. in Hindi in 1950s).

When Konkani journalism was not a rosy profitable proposition, and was too risky, his love for the language made him go into the publication business boldly.
He founded 'Kathanjelo' as a monthly and later on as a fortnightly, published from Mangalore and for sometime from Bajpe, under the banner of "Konkani Sahity Prakashan." He was its editor too in order to provide Konkani readers a chance to read fiction and other type of literature in book-form, and also to give budding writers a chance to show their originality or translation skills. His younger brother Gilbert Miranda was the associate editor of the publication. Raymond Miranda established the Book-a-Month Club in Konkani providing Konkani literature every month and delivering it at their doorsteps.

His magnum opus was' Patyenecho Ist ' in three big volumes using good quality paper, a real feat in Konkani at that time. It was the first instance in Konkani language that copy right material from abroad was published with the permission of the right holder. He also got authorization to translate and publish in Konkani other copyrighted material. The enterprise had to be closed as he planned to go abroad. On his return some years later, on September 8, 1965 he co-founded with Andrew Mendonca - 'Kannik' monthly published from Bombay and was its first editor.
He managed to get permission for the Indian reprints of copyright books from the USA, in English. Besides being a linguist, he knew Sanskrit, French and Hindi, and an author of note in Konkani, he also used to write articles to the periodicals on various issues including current affairs.

Raymond is the dearest father of: Ronald Allen (Mary Sue) of Glendale Heights, Illinois; Renee Aileen Waldorf (Bob) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Rowena Anoreen Pirovano (Rich) of Wheaton, Illinois; Rayna Aureen Roderick (Brian) of Hayward, California; Rowan Alwyn (Aracelli Corral) of Frankfort, Illinois and Roisin Adelene Fitzsimmons (Paul) of Washington DC.

Dearest brother of: Gilbert Abbundius (Jessie Pinto) of Bajpe; Louisa Juliana of Bajpe; Maxim (Jacinta Sequeira) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Sister Miriam (Bethany) of Bendore; Irene Benedicta Lobo (Frank) of Bijey; Cyril (Maryna D’Souza) of Canton, Michigan; Priscilla Eugene of Chicago, Illinois and Valerian Richard (Prescilla Coutinha) of Bajpe.

Raymond leaves behind his 17 grandchildren: Anna, Agnes, Gregory and Raymond of Glendale Heights, Illinois; Melissa Hall of New York; Roanna (Jack Olvera) & Robert Waldorf of Las Vegas, Nevada; Rachel & Lisa Pirovano of Wheaton, Illinois; Monica & Brittany Roderick of Hayward, California; Adam, Christina, Stephanie and Christian of Frankfort, Illinois; Caitlin and Brendon Fitzsimmons of Washington DC.

He is also survived by numerous extended family friends.
He will be remembered for his literary talents, generosity and strong family values.

May his soul rest in peace.

Cyril Miranda