Aquem a small village of yester years has a rich historical heritage. The fisrt conversion in Salcete to Christianity took place in Aquem. On 29th February 1560, Tipu Santu Naik Sardessai was converted Sebastiao Coelho to whose ancestry I belong, as his private temple “Deull” was converted to a chapel named Pandava copel and the saint honoured and dedicated was São Sebastiao.
I am a septuagenerian and recalls vividly the tremendous development, trnasformation that has taken place at Aquem during the last 50 years has a distinctiive impact on the lives of the people who lived peacefully. The population was not much. There were houses scattered all around, lots of land for cultivation, vegetation, grazing and for playing. Now we do not see much land in Aquem.
Aquem a place where I spent my childhood and now old age, a place close to Margao on the easternside having distinctive boundaries, the Railway line on the south, Borda and Pajifond on the north and Davorlim on the east. Earlier Aquem consisted of two parts, Aquem – Alto alto and Aquem-Baixo. Aquem Baixo is merged with Rawanfond and has its on panchayat,
But Aquem now has Aquem – Alto, Torsanzor, and Tolleaband as its wards. Our Chapel was the main source of education for children who were taught the basics, discipline and the word of God.
Aquem was self sufficient with the basic necessities. We had three posres (shops), tavernas (gaddio) and poders (bakers) who helped us in our daily requirements. The transportation system was basically walking, cycling, motorcycles and few cars. City bus service was started in 1969 from old Chowgule college to Grace church. Initially Aquem had a Panchayat too. But was later merged as a ward of Margao Municipality. Now Aquem has changed into a small township with multistorey buildings with lots of traffic, malls, shopping centres.
We have a few schools, hospitals and maternity centres too. All this change is good but not well organised. Aquem has a lot of potential to be an ideal township, but the authorities should do systematic co-ordination. The population of Aquem has even multiplied due to outside influx. Presently the old buildings are targeted to be demolished for high rise buildings.
Our chapel, whose structure still exist but again a renovated one is a monument of memories. We learnt our catechism, our daily Mass and faith building too. Every year we celebrated the feast of our Patron Saint Sebastian on the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday. It is also carnival Sunday. The nine day novenas were celebrated with great devotion. The chapel was well decorated and there was a pandal put wherein the people could be accommodated. The mattou was installed with lots of ARMACAO (decoration). Prior to the novenas we had the Fama on the Thursday where the statue of Saint Sebastian was brought with great reverence in a motorcade from Navelim church to which this chapel was affiliated. Through the busy streets of Margao Navelim, hundreds of people accompanied the statue. The people from Navelim, Sinquetim, Telaulim, Davorlim. Aquem- Baixo and Aquem as well participated in the procession. All the streets had decorated Bamboo arches.
This procession of Fama was discontinued after the elevation of the church. Presently we have more of religious services then outside revelation. The feast was celebrated with great pomp, brass band and Feira. Quermess was there too.
Aquem as I see today has a lot to tell for the future. We are simply adding more infrastructure and crowding the place. We need more breathing space and relaxation.
The new generation has to realize, look and act carefully so that our own have voice for the future.
Viva Aquem.
Rosarito Coelho