A family of three highly individualistic people with vastly differing interests and contrasting perspectives, loving, respecting and supporting each other’s choices and life goals. The fact that we love House 516, Bounta Vaddo, Assagao is an understatement. The memories created here by us and the canine ‘love of our life’ Mae, is nothing short of wealth. And now as we welcome all Assagaokars to the house a.k.a. the Victor D’Mello Community Centre (VDCC), our home takes on a whole new responsibility. Of being the space where the village comes together and continues to celebrate its amazing culture.
The OG Assagaokar of the family. Alan needs no excuse to talk about his love for the wood-fired old bakeries, tea stalls, open fields and bylanes of the village. He takes great comfort in the fact that his ancestral home has kept him connected to his roots and has given him the opportunity to do something meaningful for the village. Alan can often be seen in shorts, riding through the Assagao on his ‘pat-patti’ moped. A hotelier by profession and an avid biker by passion, Alan is also the brain and heart behind VDCC.
The Bengali Mumbaikar. Her annual Mumbai-Kolkata journey every summer, on a reserved window seat aboard the Gitanjali Express, formed some of her fondest memories. Until she joined her new boyfriend Alan, on an impromptu trip to Goa, sitting on the floor of the unreserved compartment of the Konkan Kanya Express and then on the edge of the seat of a rickety bus headed to Assagao, falling totally in love with him and his village. Shyamashree loves animals and plants almost as much as her family. Next up comes her love for reading, cooking and eating. And finally, her profession as a communications specialist.
The ‘Bongo’, equal part Bengali equal part Goan. Anouk is an amazing young woman who is equal parts compassionate and feisty. Currently a student, an avid reader and piano player, she loves to swim and enjoys ice skating even more! Some of her happiest childhood memories are connected to the house that today stands as the VDCC. Anouk strongly believes that the main purpose of the VDCC is to bring the children of the village together, help them build a deeper connection with Assagao, its people, its culture and its future. Anouk is the fierce but silent force behind the growing VDCC library and games collection.
The darling of the family, Mae, our four-footed sweetheart has passed away, but remains a strong influencer of the family’s decisions. Mae was an ‘animal angel’ who helped countless children and adults overcome their fear of animals, patiently doing her best ‘puppy face’ as people petted her and walked with her. Mae has spent many lazy hours lounging on the balçao. And many more in the back garden, rushing in and out of the bushes hoping to find a ball or twig or chasing a squirrel or two. VDCC is an animal-friendly space in honour of Mae.
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