Mr. J.F.L Gracias, M.B.E. ~ Founder Member

THIS is a momentous year for the Railway Goan Institute. Fifty years ago the foundations were laid by a small band of thirteen Goans, imbued with the desire to foster the intellectual, social and sporting welfare of Goans in Nairobi.

In its infancy in its adolescent years, and even in its manhood, the Institute has weathered many storms. These storms have at, times threatened to overwhelm and engulf it, but despite the rumblings, we have steered clear. All members to-day may not perhaps realise how grave, how strangling the setbacks of the past were.

Turning to the other side, the Institute has many notable successes and achievements to recount. It has carved for itself an honoured place not only in Goan life, but in the social and sporting spheres of the East African territories.

To-day it is a matter of pride for me to reflect that I provide a link with the glory and heritage that is the Institute's down the years.

As a founder member, I send my very best wishes for the continued prosperity and advancement of the Institute.
The Institute's motto could well be epitomised as "Triumph through Adversity".

J. F. L. GRACIAS, M·B.E., Founder Member.
Vice-President, 1934, 1939, 1940, 1943.

Mr. G.H.C. Noronha ~ Founder Member

THE Railway Goan Institute was founded on the ashes of the defunct Railway Goan Sports Club whose first President was Mr. Benjamin Eastwood, the then Chief Accountant of the Uganda Railway with myself as the Inaugural Secretary.

The Veteran founders who had done the spade-work must have crossed the brink of eternity and gone to their final rest. They deserve well of those who are of the living and it would be a fitting tribute to offer up a mass or masses for the repose of their souls as a mark of recognition of their work in the past. I enclose a small sum as my contribution to the expense.

I celebrated my Diamond Jubilee on the 28th January last and now I am losing my eye-sight as a result of the cataract which is in the course of formation. Being a bachelor I depend on the good-will of my friends to read or write my letters. I am reminded of one incident in the life of the Sports Club which stands to the discredit of our scoffers. We had no ground and resorted to the unalienated ground behind the Holy Family Church for our practises in football and cricket. Our detractors nicknamed us the "Maidan Club". We pocketed our pride for we could not do anything else at the time. Now fifty years afterwards the despicable "Maidan Club'' like the parable of the mustard seed has grown into a full-fledged Institute where its members go for mental pabulum and bodily exercise thus giving a typical illustration of the pithy saying that small beginnings have great endings.

I thank you for having revived my name from half-a-century of oblivion and wish the Institute a long life full of vigour and an ever-increasing membership.

G. H. C. Noronha, Founder Member.