PANJIM: Assagao, once a serene village with rich red soil and a tightly-knit community, has transformed into a hub of luxurious villas and second homes in recent times. Despite these changes, for those who grew up in Assagao, the village holds cherished memories of simpler times. Alan and Alison D’Mello, children of the late freedom fighter Victor Cajetan D’Mello, reflect on their happy childhood, the changes in the village, and the inspiration behind establishing the Victor D’Mello Community Centre (VDCC), located in the village’s Bouta Waddo.
Amid skyrocketing property prices and scarce land, Alan chose to create the VDCC, dedicating it to the village community. Inspired by his father, Alan emphasises the importance of social responsibility.
“My father’s generation set the foundation for this country. They believed in putting community before self,” he says. Victor D’Mello, who was a science graduate with a high-profile corporate career, dedicated much of his life to education and community service, converting his home into a village school and never turning down a request for help. The Centre was formally announced by former Union Minister of State for Law and ex Goa deputy chief minister Ramakant Khalap on July 17.
Alan fondly recalls his school summers spent in Assagao, where the lovely red soil became part of his soul. “We did not know we were missing anything. Even with insufficient infrastructure and transport, we were not wanting for anything,” he reminisces.
However, the village’s transformation has been marked by what he describes as “social devolution.” While early newcomers revitalised neglected homes, recent speculators have attracted a crowd more interested in using Goa as an Instagram backdrop rather than embracing the local culture.
The VDCC will be located in Victor D’Mello’s ancestral home in Bouta Waddo, Assagao, a house estimated to be 150 years old. The core objectives of the VDCC focuses on education and community enhancement. It will house a permanent library of contemporary reading, serve as an education centre for underprivileged village children, and be a venue for art, music and cultural activities. Programmes like the ‘Assagao Advanced Education Programme’ aim to nurture local youth towards high-skill professional careers, while the ‘Assa Re Gao’ programme will focus on preserving traditions and hosting community events.
Alison’s childhood memories of the house are filled with joy and nostalgia.
“As children, our home felt as massive as a universe and stadium. The big hall was for football and the dining room for cricket. The smell of mango and jackfruit will always be the smell of home and happy summers,” she recalls.
Alan and Alison believe it is critical for Goans to closely examine their ancestral roots. “We do not know who we are or where we are going if we do not know where we come from. Goa and Goan culture need protection and celebration,” asserts Alison. The VDCC is a step towards reclaiming Assagao’s community spirit, including new neighbours and showing them how to be part of the village family.