With a Pinch of Salt: ‘The Living Saint’, Fr Denis Rasquinha

  •   Sat, Oct 24 2026
  •   By Hemacharya

October 24, 2026

The year was 1975, I was in the first year of pre-university, and decided to publish a short stories book in Konkani. I collected ten stories from ten different short story writers, including myself. We gave the name, Jeevan Sapna (the dream of life) to the book.

While we had a printer, ‘Prime Press’ owned by eminent literary legend Cha. Fra. De Costa, (He then received ‘Central Sahitya Akademi’ award for his collection of poetry book, published by his Goan friends) what we did not have was the main tonic ‘the money’ to go ahead. My grandmother gave me a loan of Rs 1000 which was not sufficient. My friend Austin Prabhu (now the Lion Austin D’Souza Prabhu living in Chicago.) had an idea. He may not remember his idea today but it helped me a great deal in those days.

 

 

He was publishing three Konkani magazines, was the secretary of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnataka. He tactfully, arranged for me to sit next to Shri K K Pai then the Reception Committee Chairman of 11th All India Konkani Parishad held in Mangalore. (He was also the MD of Syndicate Bank)

During the course of the meeting, I explained Shri K K Pai about my great plan and asked for an advertisement from the bank. Stunned, he asked me, “Besides publishing the book, what else you do?” “I am studying at Pompeii Junior college, Talipady.’ I replied with pride. He felt very happy and after removing a blank slip from his pant, wrote something and gave me saying, “Go to Manipal and show this chit to my secretary, he will give a cheque of Rs five thousand for the last page advertisement. It was a great surprise. I did what he had told me. It was a great profit, even after paying back my grandmother’s loan.

But getting the cheque encashed was not an easy task. The cheque was to be credited to my publications - Ujwal Prakashan - account and I had no such account. The Kinnigoli branch of Syndicate Bank where I went, ironically had my distant cousin brother as the branch Manager. He was very annoyed that I approached his top boss, he gave me a few slaps. but eventually, he allowed me to open a bank account and encash the cheque.

By the time I reached the bus stand, in Mangalore, carrying 1000 copies, ready by then, the last bus had left. At the advice of a few book sellers in the bus stand, I stayed at Baliga’s Boarding House, which was located above Baliga’s Restaurant. Alas, at Midnight there was a police raid and many men with the prostitutes were caught. I was the only one without a partner hence I was allowed to sleep, but not without a warning that I am found there next time, the action will be different.

Soon, the copies of the book were sold without a formal release. Within a few days I had an appointment with J. B. Rasquinha, the owner of Jerosa Company. I carried a recommendation letter from Cha. Fra. Decosta, to make my life easier. J B Rasquinha casually asked about me and where I am put up during my visit to the city.

I explained to him my ordeal at Baliga’s Boarding. Here comes the entry of a suave, simple and affectionate priest called Fr Denis Rasquinha who was then the warden of Old Loyola Hostel of St Aloysius Institutions. I wasn’t aware that he was the younger brother J B Rasquinha who readily accommodated me at the hostel, which was located just behind Karnad Sadhashiva Rao Library. I wrote many books during my stay at the hostel. Today, unfortunately, neither the hostel or nor the warden are in place, but it gives me an opportunity to thank them for saving from the ‘prostitutes den.’ Also, this article gives an opportunity to remember the greatness of people like Austin D’Souza Prabhu, K K Pai, J B Rasquinha and Cha. Fra. De Costa, besides the living Saint Fr. Denis Rasquinha.

Few years ago, I visited Fr Denis Rasquinha with his niece from Mumbai but he had dementia and I couldn’t thank him for his favour. I was surprised to know, in spite of a prime age of 90+ he never had any sickness on his body and that he quietly passed away at the age of 96 years.

Now you know well, I call him ‘The Living Saint’?

 

 

 

 
By Hemacharya
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Comment on this article

  • William PAis, mangalore

    Sat, Oct 24 2026

    Nice article reminiscing good old days of a debut author. Fr Denis Rasquinha yes we can call his a saint. he is in fact brother of JB Rasquinha not paternal uncle .


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