The Works

| 2002 |

From Mickky to Mummy, MLAs sport nicknames

What’s in a name, or for that matter, nickname?

Ask the newly elected MLAs in the Goa Assembly.

Many of the MLAs are better known by their pet names, nicknames or aliases, so much so that their first names have been virtually discarded by their supporters in favour of the more popular alternatives.

For instance, Dhargalim MLA ‘Babu’ Azgaonkar is hardly referred by his first name, Manohar. Or for that matter, Marcaim MLA Ramkrishna Dhavalikar is generally known as Sudin and not many know that Benaulim MLA Francisco Xavier Pacheco’s alias happens to be Micky Pacheco.

In one case, a pet name is being claimed by two MLAs. Mapusa MLA Francis D‘Souza and Taleigao MLA Atanasio Monsorrate are both fondly referred to as ‘Babush’.

A similar pet name ‘Babuso’ has been closely associated with Valpoi MLA Narahari Haldankar in Sattari.

Other new faces also figure in the list. Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik is better known as ‘Damu’ Naik, while Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kawlekar is also called ‘Babu’.

Even the lone woman legislator, Santa Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes, seems to have accepted the affectionate pet name ‘Mummy’.

For Mayem MLA Harish Zantye, the nickname ‘Anna’ seems to have stuck with his supporters and workers.

And what about ‘Patrao’? Any supporter in Ponda will immediately identify the word with Ponda MLA Ravi Naik.

[Comments on this report]

To comment on this report, please Click Here to contact Melvyn Misquita.