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{{Short description|Indian trade unionist (1929–1976)}}
{{COI|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2024}}
{{About other people|the Indian trade unionist|Gerald Pereira|Geraldo Pereira (disambiguation){{!}}Geraldo Pereira}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gerald Pereira
| image = Gerald Pereira in the 1950s.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Pereira in the 1950s
| birth_name = Gerald Antonio Eustaqio de Monte Pereira
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1929|9|20|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1976|3|4|1929|9|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Vasco da Gama, Goa]], [[Portuguese India]]
| death_place = Vasco da Gama, Goa, India
| other_names =
| spouse = {{marriage|Luisa Carvalho|24 December 1960}}
| children = 3
| occupation = Lawyer
| years_active = 1950s–1976
| known_for =
| movement = [[Goa liberation movement]]
| alma_mater = {{plainlist |
* [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]] ([[M.A.]])
* [[Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai]] ([[LL.B]])
}}
| party = [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (1967–1976)
| otherparty = {{plainlist |
* [[Goan Peoples Party]] (1950s–1960s)
* [[Frente Popular (Goa)|Frente Popular]] (1963)
}}
| notable_works = ''An Outline of Pre-Portuguese History of Goa'' (1973)
| awards =
}}

'''Gerald Antonio Eustaqio de Monte Pereira''' (20 September 1929 – 4 March 1976) was an Indian [[freedom fighter]], author, lawyer and [[trade unionist]]. An active contributor in the [[Goa liberation movement]], he founded the first trade union in [[Goa]]. He is the author of the book, ''An Outline of Pre-Portuguese History of Goa''.

== Early life ==
Gerald Antonio Eustaqio de Monte Pereira was born on 20 September 1929 in [[Vasco da Gama, Goa]] in [[Portuguese India]],<ref name="Rajhauns15">{{Cite journal |date=2015 |title=Prominent Goans |journal=Rajhauns Yearbook 2015 |pages=448–449}}</ref> to the [[Goan Catholic]] family of Xavier Pereira, who worked for a technical firm in [[Bombay]], [[British India]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=McDaniel |first=Alonzo Simpson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mq1mAAAAMAAJ |title=The Absorption of Hydrocarbon Gases by Non-aqueous Liquids |date=1990 |publisher=University of Wisconsin--Madison |page=40}}</ref> While studying at the St Joseph's Institute in Vasco, Pereira began participating in the [[Goa liberation movement]] after being influenced by his school teacher, [[Dattatraya Deshpande]], who was a freedom fighter. Deshpande was arrested after he hoisted the [[Indian flag]] and distributed nationalist pamphlets in Vasco. Pereira escaped to Bombay, leaving his education incomplete.<ref name="Rajhauns15" /> He then completed his Senior Cambridge schooling in [[Bombay]].<ref name="FreeGoaDecent57">{{Cite magazine |magazine=Free Goa |title=Gerald Pereira - Out For A Clean & Decent Bombay |date=1957-04-25 |url=https://archive.org/details/gerald-pereira-out-for-a-clean-bombay |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref>

== Goa liberation movement (1952–1955) ==
While in Bombay, Pereira completed his [[Master of Arts]] at [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai|St. Xavier's College]], and an [[LLB]] from [[Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai|Siddharth College of Law]].<ref name="Rajhauns15" /> He soon took an interest in [[Marxist philosophy]]. In the early 1950s, he joined the [[Goan Peoples Party]] (GPP), which was [[Communist]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ali |first=B. Sheikh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tCZuAAAAMAAJ |title=Goa Wins Freedom: Reflections and Reminiscences |date=1986 |publisher=Goa University |isbn=978-81-85571-00-3 |pages=126}}</ref> On 13 December 1952, while he was still a student, he participated actively in a demonstration that displayed black flags to the then Portuguese Governor-General, who was visiting the [[Taj Mahal Palace Hotel]].<ref name="ShirodkarWho86">{{Cite book |last=Shirodkar |first=Pandurang Purushottam |author-link=Pandurang Purushottam Shirodkar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ISScyAEACAAJ |title=Who's Who of Freedom Fighters, Goa, Daman, and Diu |date=1986 |publisher=Goa Gazetteer Department, Government of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu |volume=1 |pages=278–279}}</ref>

Pereira was a member of the GPP's central committee and the editor of its publication, ''Goan Age''.<ref name="ShirodkarWho86" /> In its inaugural edition, published on 26 January 1954, Pereira wrote an article, ''Goa: Another Korea'', which analyzed how [[America]]ns had strengthened their military presence near Goa.<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[The Indian Express]] |title='Goan Age', New Magazine |date=1954-02-16 |url=https://archive.org/details/goan-age-new-magazine |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> As part of the GPP, he also addressed many public meetings on issues like the planning of ''[[satyagraha]]s'',<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[Free Press Journal]] |title=More Satyagrahis For Goa Struggle |date=1954-09-07 |url=https://archive.org/details/more-satyagrahis-for-goa-strugge |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> encouragement of women to join the freedom struggle,<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[Times of India]] |title=Women & Goa Struggle |date=1954-11-22 |url=https://archive.org/details/women-goa-struggle |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> and the removal of the economic blockade of Goa.<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[Bombay Chronicle]] |title=Goans Plead For Removal Of Blockade |date=1957-11-11 |url=https://archive.org/details/goans-plead-for-removal-of-blockade_202409 |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref>

Pereira also published flyers and booklets related to the Goan freedom struggle, including ''Viva 18th June Movement'' and ''Goan Question Reconsidered''.<ref name="ShirodkarWho86" /> He also contributed to newspapers like the ''[[National Herald]]'', ''[[Amrita Bazar Patrika]]'' and ''[[The Free Press Journal]]''. He also edited the [[Konkani language|Konkani]] journal ''Novem Jivit'' (New Life).<ref name="FreeGoaDecent57" />

In 1955, during the mass ''[[satyagraha]]'' at [[Patradevi]], Pereira was an organiser of the satyagrahis, while Luisa Carvalho, whom he later married, was one of the leaders of the Medical Brigade of the GVSS.<ref name="ShirodkarWho86" />

In May 1957, he contested the municipal elections for the [[Bombay Municipal Corporation]] from [[Mazgaon]] constituency and lost.<ref>{{Cite news |work=Goan Tribune |title=Goan Mayor Defeated |date=1957-05-19 |url=https://archive.org/details/goan-mayor-defeated |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref> In June that year, he was part of a delegation of 11 Goans chosen for consultation by then [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru]].<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[Times of India]] |location=Delhi |title=Goan Nationals Allowed To Send Money Home |date=1957-06-11 |url=https://archive.org/details/goan-nationals-allowed-to-send-money-home |access-date=2024-09-11}}</ref><ref name="FaleiroGoa1961">{{Cite book |last=Faleiro |first=Valmiki |author-link=Valmiki Faleiro |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GYLyEAAAQBAJ |title=Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration |date=2023-07-24 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5708-175-7 |pages=81, 343, 369 |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>

Pereira was active in Bombay's trade union movement, and worked with [[T. B. Cunha]], [[B. T. Ranadive]], [[S. A. Dange]] and [[G. Adhikari]].<ref name="Rajhauns15" /> He was also the Secretary of the T. B. Cunha Memorial Committee.<ref name="FaleiroGoa1961" />

== Post-Annexation of Goa ==
=== Trade unionism (1962–1974) ===
After the [[Liberation of Goa|Annexation of Goa]] on 19 December 1961, Pereira led a strike in the port harbour on 12 January 1962 and founded the first trade union in Goa in [[Mormugao Port]], the Marmagao Port, Dock and Transport Workers' Union, now known as the Mormugao Waterfront Workers' Union, on 20 January 1962.<ref name="Rajhauns15" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a5A7AAAAMAAJ |title=New Perspectives: Being the Proceedings of 27th Session |date=1966 |publisher=All-India Trade Union Congress |page=8}}</ref>

In 1964–1965, Pereira led another strike of the Port workers for the formation of the Mormugao Dock Labour Board. Pereira was then arrested and imprisoned in the [[Bicholim]] sub-jail.<ref name="Rajhauns15" />

In 1973–1974, Pereira led another strike of the [[Coca-Cola]] workers in Goa.<ref name="Rajhauns15" /><ref>{{cite report |publisher=Government of Goa, Daman and Diu |url=https://goaprintingpress.gov.in/downloads/7475/7475-41-SII-OG.pdf |title=Official Gazette |number=41 |series=II |chapter=Labour and Information Department Order No. CLE/I/ID(5)/74/IT-7/74}}</ref> This led to the formation of the Action Committee of Trade Unions and Mass Organisations in Goa.<ref name="Rajhauns15" />

=== Book on history of Goa ===
While Pereira was a student of politics and economics, he was convinced to pursue his masters in history. Thus, as part of his masters thesis, he studied the history of Goa. He researched at the library at [[The Asiatic Society of Mumbai]] and was guided by many, including [[Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi]]. He completed his thesis in 1963 and about 10 years later, he self-published it as a book, titled, ''An Outline of Pre-Portuguese History of Goa''. The book covers the history of Goa, including the early settlers, [[Bhoja]] kings, the [[Silahara]]s, the [[Kadamba dynasty]], [[Vijayanagara Empire]], [[Adil Shahi]] rule, ending with the [[Portuguese conquest of Goa]].<ref name="HeraldCollector23">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=History of Pre-Portuguese Goa through a collector's item |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/History-of-PrePortuguese-Goa-through-a-collector%E2%80%99s-item/215054 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=[[Herald Goa]]}}</ref> [[Sandesh Prabhudesai]] describes Pereira as "an expert in history and political science".<ref name="PDAjeeb23">{{Cite book |last=Prabhudesai |first=Sandesh |author-link=Sandesh Prabhudesai |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SjoF0AEACAAJ |title=Ajeeb Goa's Gajab Politics |date=April 2023 |publisher=Qurate Books Private Limited |isbn=978-93-94600-69-0 |pages=88, 253}}</ref>

=== Political career (1962–1968) ===
Pereira was one of the founders of the Goa branch of the [[Communist Party of India]] (CPI), and the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI(M)),<ref name="ShirodkarWho86" /> after the CPI split in Goa in 1967–1968.<ref name="Rajhauns15" /><ref name="LuisaPD">{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2006 |title=Comrade Dr Luisa Pereira |url=https://archives.peoplesdemocracy.in/2006/1112/11122006_com%20luisa.html |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=[[People's Democracy (newspaper)|People's Democracy]]}}</ref> He was also the General Secretary of the Goa branch of the [[Centre of Indian Trade Unions]] (CITU)<ref name="ShirodkarWho86" /> and before that, of the [[All India Trade Union Congress]] (AITUC).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Basu |first=Jyoti |author-link=Jyoti Basu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q-Q9AQAAIAAJ |title=Documents of the Communist Movement in India: 1970 |date=1998 |publisher=National Book Agency |isbn=978-81-7626-018-3 |page=189}}</ref> Pereira was a member of the CITU Working Committee.<ref name="Rajhauns15" />

On 27 November 1962, Pereira was arrested at [[Londa, Karnataka|Londa]] for being a part of the Communist Party of India, and for allegedly being "Pro-China", in the background of the [[Sino-Indian War]].<ref name="Rajhauns15" />

Pereira and other Goan Communists, like [[George Vaz]] and [[Berta de Menezes Bragança]], began working with the Goan peasants soon after the Annexation of Goa, forming the ''Shetkari Paksh'' (Farmers' Party). In the [[1963 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]], they did not contest with their Communist symbols but instead contested as a political front, the [[Frente Popular (Goa)|Frente Popular]]. This was done to not attract the attention of the Goan Catholic Church, who considered the Communists as a threat.<ref name="PDAjeeb23" /> Pereira contested elections from the [[Mormugao Assembly constituency]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Esteves |first=Sarto |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=imVuAAAAMAAJ |title=Politics and Political Leadership in Goa |date=1986 |publisher=Sterling Publishers |isbn=978-81-207-0602-6 |page=76}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Halappa |first1=G. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EuwDAAAAMAAJ |title=The First General Elections in Goa |last2=Rao |first2=Kurukundi Raghavendra |last3=Rajasekhariah |first3=A. M. |date=1964 |publisher=Karnatak University |page=49}}</ref> He was defeated by [[Urminda Mascarenhas]].<ref name="PDAjeeb23" />

Pereira unsuccessfully contested in the [[1967 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KXY5AAAAIAAJ |title=Political Science Review |date=1972 |publisher=Department of Political Science, University of Rajasthan. |page=143}}</ref>

=== Other work ===
In 1966, Pereira was chosen to visit the [[Soviet Union]] as part of the AITUC delegation of the [[Indo-Soviet Cultural Society]] (ISCUS). He was also a part of organisations like the Goan Arts and Culture League, Goa Mundkar and Shetkari Sabha, and the Indo-Cuban Solidarity Centre (CESIC).<ref name="Rajhauns15" />

== Personal life ==
Pereira married Luisa Carvalho, a medical practitioner and also a freedom fighter, on 24 December 1960 under the [[Special Marriage Act, 1954]].<ref name="Rajhauns15" /> She was also an active member of the CPI(M) and CITU in Goa.<ref name="LuisaPD" /> Together, they had 3 children, none of whom were initiated into any religion. Pereira lived in Vasco and Bombay, moving to Bombay after he was outlawed in his school days and came back to Vasco only after the [[Annexation of Goa]].<ref name="HeraldCollector23" />

== Illness and death ==
Pereira had a heart attack on 2 June 1975 and was admitted to [[KEM Hospital]], Bombay. After his discharge in August 1975, he began working on an underground campaign against [[the Indian Emergency]] while recuperating in Bombay. He moved back to Goa in February 1976 and immediately continued his trade union work. He died on 4 March 1976, after suffering another heart attack.<ref name="Rajhauns15" /><ref name="ShirodkarWho86" />

== Works ==
* ''Viva 18th June Movement''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gerald Pereira |url=https://archive.org/details/viva-18th-june-movement |title=Viva 18th June Movement |date=1971-06-18}}</ref>
* ''Goan Question Reconsidered''
* Editor, ''Selected Writings of Dr. T. B. Cunha''<ref name="Rajhauns15" />
* ''An Outline of Pre-Portuguese History of Goa'' (1973)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pereira |first=Gerald A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=35QdAAAAMAAJ |title=An Outline of Pre-Portuguese History of Goa |date=1973 |publisher=G. Pereira |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category inline}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pereira, Gerald}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1976 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian communists]]
[[Category:Indian trade union leaders]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian historians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:People from Vasco da Gama, Goa]]
[[Category:St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, alumni]]
[[Category:Goa liberation activists]]
[[Category:People from Portuguese India]]
[[Category:Communist Party of India politicians from Goa]]

Gerald Pereira - Revision history

2fa at 06:23, 7 May 2026