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{{short description|Indian politician, freedom fighter and activist (1930–2022)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Teotonio Pereira
| birth_name = Teotonio Francisco Paulo Pereira
| image = Teotonio Pereira, ex-MLA, Goa's first assembly (cropped).jpg
| caption = Pereira in 2015
| office1 = [[Goa Legislative Assembly|Member of Goa Legislative Assembly]]
| birth_place = [[Goa Velha]], [[Goa]], [[Portuguese India]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|3|18|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Mapusa]], Goa, India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|2|16|1930|3|18|df=y}}
| constituency1 = [[St. Andre Assembly constituency|St. Andre]]{{efn|also known as Santo Andre prior 1994.}}
| predecessor1 = ''constituency established''
| predecessor2 = Shripad Cuncolienkar
| successor2 = Shripad Cuncolienkar
| constituency2 = St. Andre
| term_start2 = 1980
| term_end2 = 26 December 1984
| party = [[United Goans Democratic Party]] (2002–2022){{efn|joined the party in {{circa|2002}}; may have left later.}}
| resting_place = St. Jerome Cemetery, Mapusa, Goa, India
| spouse = Adelaide Novais Pereira
| other_party = {{plainlist|
* [[United Goans (Sequiera Group)]] (1963–1977)
* [[Janata Party]] (1977–1980)
* [[Indian National Congress (U)]] (1980–1984){{efn|majority of sources cited claim that Pereira was a member of the [[Indian National Congress (U)]], the official source from goavidhansabha.gov.in states that Pereira was a member of [[Congress (I)]].}}
* [[Independent politician|Independent]] (1984–2002)}}
| successor1 = [[Shripad Cuncolienkar]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|social activist|businessperson}}
| term_start1 = 11 December 1963
| term_end1 = 5 January 1977
| majority1 = {{plainlist|
* 5,656 (57.47%){{efn|for the year 1967–1972; followed by the next term.}}
* 5,335 (50.44%)}}
| majority2 = 4,200 (44.38%)
| children = 8; one deceased
| committees = {{plainlist|
* Petitions
* Library
* The Goa, Daman and Diu Registration of Tourist Trade Bill}}
}}

'''Teotonio Francisco Paulo Pereira'''{{efn|Some sources claim that Pereira's middle name was '''John'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/teotonio-pereira-mla-from-goas-1st-assembly-dies-at-91/articleshow/89625639.cms|title=Teotonio Pereira, MLA from Goa's 1st assembly, dies at 91 | Goa News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=17 February 2022 }}</ref>}} (18 March 1930 – 16 February 2022) was an Indian politician, social activist, [[indian freedom fighter|freedom fighter]], musician, [[orator]] and businessman who served as a member of the [[Goa Legislative Assembly]], representing the [[St. Andre Assembly constituency]] from 1963 to 1977 and 1980 to 1984.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Goa Legislative Assembly |url=https://www.goavidhansabha.gov.in/member_detail.php?mem_id=176 |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=www.goavidhansabha.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A doyen of Goan politics—Teotonio Pereira passes away at 92 |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/A-doyen-of-Goan-politics%E2%80%94Teotonio-Pereira-passes-away-at-92/186729 |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=oHeraldo|date=17 February 2022 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Former MLA Teotonio Pereira laid to rest |url=https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/former-mla-teotonio-pereira-laid-to-rest/80550.html |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}}</ref>

==Early and personal life==
Teotonio Francisco Paulo Pereira was born in [[Goa Velha]], Goa. He completed his [[primary education]] from Govt. Primary School. He later completed his schooling from People's High School at [[Panaji]]. Pereira was married to Adelaide Novais Pereira, they had 9 children together. On 29 September 2020, Mario Pereira, aged 62, his fourth child died from [[COVID-19]]. Pereira was a [[polyglot]] and spoke [[Konkani language|Konkani]], Portuguese, English and [[Hindi-language|Hindi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paulo Travels owner falls prey to Covid |url=https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/%EF%BB%BFpaulo-travels-owner-falls-prey-to-covid/59478.html |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}}</ref>

Some of his hobbies included driving, [[gardening]] and singing, he also had a [[Special interest group|special interest]] in the transport business. Few of his [[recreation]] activities included football, movies, [[Carom billiards|carom]] and [[dramas]]. Pereira also organized dramatic performances and [[folk songs]].<ref name=":0" />

==Political career==
Pereira was a four-term member of the [[Goa Legislative Assembly]]. He first contested in the [[1963 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]] from the [[St. Andre Assembly constituency]] on the [[United Goans (Sequiera Group)]] (UGS) ticket and emerged victorious by defeating chief ministerial candidate, [[Vishwanath Lawande]] of the [[Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party]] (MGP). He served for five years from 1963 to 1967. He then successfully contested in the [[1967 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]] from the same constituency on the UGS ticket, he defeated MGP candidate, Melo Agosttinho Santana by a margin of 2,190 votes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Diu (India) |first=Goa, Daman and |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ch0bkzj3ja8C&q=teotonio+pereira+andre+1963 |title=Government Gazette. Boletim Oficial |date=1964 |language=en}}</ref>

Pereira then contested in the [[1972 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]] from the same constituency on the UGS ticket, he emerged victorious by defeating MGP candidate, Melo Agosttinho Santana by a margin of 1,366 votes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Assembly |first=Goa, Daman and Diu (India) Legislative |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSQIAQAAIAAJ&q=teotonio+pereira+andre |title=Debates; Official Report |date=1972 |language=en}}</ref> He then unsuccessfully contested in the [[1977 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]] from the same consistency on the [[Janata Party]] ticket, he lost to [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) candidate, [[Shripad Cuncolienkar]] by a margin of 405 votes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reed |first=Sir Stanley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G2LVAAAAMAAJ&q=teotonio+pereira+andre |title=Indian and Pakistan Year Book and Who's who |date=1977 |publisher=Bennett, Coleman. |language=en}}</ref>

Pereira next successfully contested in the [[1980 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]] from the St. Andre Assembly constituency on the [[Indian National Congress (U)]] ticket. He defeated MGP candidate, Shripad Cuncolienkar by a margin of 771 votes. He next unsuccessfully contested in the [[1984 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election]] from the same constituency as an [[Independent politician|Independent]] candidate. He lost to INC candidate, Shripad Cuncolienkar by a margin of 1279 votes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reed |first=Sir Stanley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jg0fAQAAMAAJ&q=teotonio+pereira+andre |title=The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who |date=1982 |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Company |language=en}}</ref>

Following his defeat in the prior election, Pereira didn't contest the [[1989 Goa Legislative Assembly election]]. He next unsuccessfully contested the [[1994 Goa Legislative Assembly election]] from the St. Andre Assembly constituency as an Independent candidate, he lost to INC member, [[Carmo Pegado]] by a margin of 6237 votes. Pereira last unsuccessfully contested in the [[2002 Goa Legislative Assembly election]] from the same constituency on the [[United Goans Democratic Party]] ticket, he lost to INC candidate, [[Francisco Silveira]] by a margin of 6775 votes.

==Death==
On 16 February 2022, Pereira died from a brief illness while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in [[Mapusa]]. The funeral service was held the next day at 4:00 pm IST at St. Jerome Church, Mapusa.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Four-time MLA Teotonio Pereira passes away at 91 – The Navhind Times |date=17 February 2022 |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2022/02/17/goanews/four-time-mla-teotonio-pereira-passes-away-at-91/ |access-date=2022-12-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Goa Police]] honoured him with a [[21-gun salute]]. Among those present at the funeral were [[Bishop Emeritus]] of Port Blair, [[Aleixo das Neves Dias]], former [[St. Andre Assembly constituency|St.Andre]] legislator, [[Francisco Silveira]], [[Mapusa Assembly constituency|Mapusa]] legislator, [[Joshua D'Souza]], former union minister, [[Ramakant Khalap]], former speaker of the [[Goa Legislative Assembly]], [[Tomazinho Cardozo]] and former MMC chairperson, Armindo Braganza.<ref name=":1" />

===Reactions===
Former Goa Leader of Opposition, [[Digambar Kamat]] expressed his grief and gave his condolences to the family. Goa chief minister, [[Pramod Sawant]] said that he was saddened by the demise of Pereira and also gave his condolences to the family on [[Twitter]]. [[Fatorda Assembly constituency|Fatorda]] MLA, [[Vijai Sardesai]] also tweeted, "An Era Ends; The demise of Teotonio Pereira, a member of [[1963 Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly election|Goa’s first legislative assembly]] brings profound sadness. He fought for Goa and her honour; her identity, culture and language".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |agency=TNN|date=17 Feb 2022 |title=Teotonio Pereira, MLA from Goa's 1st assembly, dies at 91 {{!}} Goa News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/teotonio-pereira-mla-from-goas-1st-assembly-dies-at-91/articleshow/89625639.cms |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

[[Ramakant Khalap]] and his family mourned the death of his neighbour and friend. He stated that Pereira was a multifaceted person who was deeply rooted in the [[Goan]] soil and defined him a real ''[[bhumiputra]]''.<ref name=":3" /> He also added that despite being from two different opposing political parties it never affected their friendship, Khalap also recalls that Pereira invited him to organise his [[wedding reception]] on the rooftop of his newly built house in 1977. He further added that Pereira was a singer, [[composer]] and [[music artist|artist]] and above all a decent human being.<ref name=":2" />

Former St. Andre [[M.L.A]], [[Francisco Silveira]] in his condolence message added that Pereira will be always remembered for his work and being the leader of the common people in the St. Andre constituency. He further added that he was a good [[orator]] who won the hearts of the people and his selfless contribution in the constituency made him the leader of masses.<ref name=":3" />

==Positions held==
* Member of the Committee of Petitions, 1964–65; 1965–66; 1967–68 (resigned in September 1967 from Committees of the House), 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73 and 1973–74
* Chairman of Library Committee, 1980–81
* Member of Select Committee on Bill No. 25 of 1980- The [[Goa, Daman and Diu]] Registration of Tourist Trade Bill, 1980<ref name=":0" />

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pereira, Teotonio}}
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:People from North Goa district]]
[[Category:Goa, Daman and Diu MLAs 1963–1967]]
[[Category:Goa, Daman and Diu MLAs 1972–1977]]
[[Category:Goa, Daman and Diu MLAs 1967–1972]]
[[Category:Goa, Daman and Diu MLAs 1980–1984]]
[[Category:Goa liberation activists]]

Teotonio Pereira - Revision history

DarellBabcock5: new basic info v1!