STEPHEN DIAS pays a warm tribute to his close friend, the late microbiologist and political activist Dr Joe D’Souza, who passed away on August 28, 2022…

MY friend Dr Joe was an alumnus of the prestigious St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, then known as Bombay. Dr Joe d’Souza majored in Microbiology went on to be one of Goa’s most knowledgeable microbiologists. He became a professor at the Centre of Post-Graduate Instruction & Research (CPIR), affiliated to Bombay University, this was his first post which was the first post. At the graduate institution in Goa which had its own classrooms and library located at Susheela Building, along with the Education department complexes in the city, and from here he went on to be the Head of Department of Microbiology at Goa University.
He was always a brilliant student and a Fulbright scholar. Dr Joe, as everyone fondly called him, never rested on his laurels by only being involved in scholastic pursuits. Like a true niz Goenkar he used his expertise in microbiology to benefit Goa and Goans through his no-nonsense attitude. He carried out thorough studies based not only on facts and figures but also microbiological theories. In fact, Dr Joe was a prominent office bearer of Goa Biodiversity Board.
I remember going to his residence only to see him immersed in compiling various detailed reports that encompassed several environmental aspects of Goa. He travelled widely in Goa to procure data that were necessary for fighting the various environmental battles he was supporting. Media people are well aware of how Dr Joe was also a very avid writer and contributed articles to several newspapers and journals.
He was a friendly scientist with much to say on issues related to nano microbes, the chemistry and the biochemistry of organisms, as also the handling of hazardous waste across Goa, and the granting of permission for high rise building constructions across capital city Panjim even on low-lying areas (which would lead to flooding problems later on). The degradation going on all around Goa disturbed him a lot and he was very keen for people to play a role in stopping it.
In this respect he became more and more politically active too and rubbed shoulders with many politicians to educate them on the scientific aspects of preserving Goa’s fragile eco-systems. He attended meetings and conferences and made his presence felt with his scientific inputs. Closer home in Panaji, Dr Joe made invaluable suggestions to the Corporation of the City of Panaji on various aspects, for the benefit of the citizens of the capital city of Goa.
Even during his later declining health years and days, Dr Joe was still sought after for his expert opinion by many and he offered sound advice with passion and commitment – something rare to find nowadays! In his passing away Goa has lost a prominent environmental warrior.
At the eucharistic celebration at the Panjim’s Immaculate Church held on August 29, 2022, many of his friends and colleagues attended the mass, to give a fond farewell to Dr Joe D’Souza. For here was a man with a life well lived. May his soul rest in eternal peace, RIP, my dear friend.