Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Feb 23: "Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed" - This quote has unfortunately come true in the life of Richie John Pais, noted dramatist and humorist who authors in Konkani and English languages. He has been active especially in the sphere of Konkani literature and theatre over the past many years, and there is perhaps no one in the Konkani world who does not know him or has not heard of him.
Richie (51) is also familiar to readers of Daijiworld and the media fraternity at large, having taken over the reins of the web portal as head of the editorial team. His humour articles, often embedded with a message to society, in Daijiworld’s exclusive column have delighted readers over the years. But today, fate has dealt Richie a cruel blow in the form of cancer.
Well-versed in both Konkani and English languages, Richie started writing from a young age. But necessity to settle down in life drew him to an African country, where he worked for a few years. His attachment to his homeland brought him back, and he decided to try his hand at business. But as the saying goes, it is difficult to do business with a kind heart. The result was that Richie faced difficulties in business and suffered a huge loss. But his passion for writing remained unchanged, and given his gift both as writer and a natural at journalism, he soon joined Daijiworld Media Group and quickly became an asset to the portal.
After joining Daijiworld, Richie picked up his pen again and resumed writing with a new vigour. His essays, especially satirical ones on current affairs, became highly popular in the Konkani world. His short stories and poems have been published in Konkani periodicals regularly. His first book “Kolovori”, a collection of satirical essays in Konkani, was published in the year 2012, and he went on to publish two more books – “Vidhushak” and “Fathor”. Last month, Richie was chosen for the prestigious TMA Pai Award for “Fathor”.
As a dramatist, Richie has created a niche for himself on the Konkani stage. His drama “Paanch Mornam” became a trendsetter in Konkani theatre, and his second drama “Tum Vhorto Dhonea” (Lord, You are Great), based on the Book of Job in the Old Testament, saw resounding success with several shows in various parts of the coastal region. A soft-spoken and straightforward person, Richie has always encouraged budding talents and brought innovation in Konkani drama.
The Konkani community knows him as a talented, reserved personality who silently observes the world around him but vociferously writes about it. His loss in business was a big financial setback, and now, Richie is faced with a mammoth battle against the dreaded cancer that is crippling both his health and financial resources.
About two months ago, Richie developed fever and vomiting all of a sudden. When his health did not improve even after three or four days, he consulted a doctor in a private hospital, and on his suggestion, got admitted for a couple of days. After close examination by doctors and repeated tests, he was diagnosed with carcinoma metastatic with obstructive jaundice, in other words, cancer that has spread and is already at a dangerous level. He was advised to start chemotherapy immediately after specialized treatment.
Richie is the sole breadwinner of the family. His son and daughter are pursuing their education in private educational institutions in the city. His wife Femina, a homemaker, is finding it tough to take care of her husband as well as support their children’s education. Richie has no other source of income except his job. So far, directors of Daijiworld and some of his well-wishers have contributed nearly Rs 5 lac towards hospital bills. But expenses are piling day after day. To give him more confidence, and looking at the long-term treatment requirement, the family has now appealed to generous readers of Daijiworld, and we believe that our readers will bring a ray of hope in Richie’s life.
Remember, ‘illness’ can become ‘wellness’ when ‘I’ is replaced with ‘we’. Let us join hands in helping Richie and his family in fighting the battle against cancer.
Those who wish to help Richie are requested to send in their contribution to the details provided below:
Richard John Pais
Syndicate Bank
Mangaladevi branch
SB account no: 02852200008183.
IFSC: SYNB0000285
Contact: +91 9739544423
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