Victoria Fernandes

Victoria Fernandes (26 July 1934 – 7 September 2019), also known as Mummy, was an Indian politician who represented the St. Cruz Assembly constituency for four terms.

Early and personal life Victoria Fernandes was born in Curtorim on 26 July 1934 and had an identical twin sister. Her parents considered their birth as a blessing by Saint Anne, whose feast is celebrated around that day. Her father was a range forest officer. She spent most of her childhood in Belgaum. Her journeys with her father in the jungles of North Canara, during which she saw the poor condition of the tribals there, inspired her to serve people.

Fernandes grew up getting inspired by the stories of Saint Maria Goretti, Joan of Arc, Rani of Jhansi and Florence Nightingale. She initially decided to be a nun. She then decided to be a nurse and even passed the examination, when her marriage was fixed.

At the age of 20, she married Romeo.

Politician Rodolfo Fernandes is her son.

Social work

Opinion Poll

In 1966, during the proposed merger of Goa with Maharashtra, Fernandes helped convince many, including people who supported the merger, to protect Goa's identity and independence by opposing the merger. She was part of a team that was led by Jack de Sequeira.

While she was initially tasked with mobilising the people of South Goa due to the majority of its population being Catholic, she chose to work in North Goa. She wore a Maharashtrian sari and played Marathi music on loudspeakers to attract people's attention. When they found out that she was against the merger, they attempted to physically assault her. When she told them that she was not afraid, they realised that she only had the concern for Goa.

When the Council of Action was formed as a non-party organisation meant to oppose the merger and overthrow the ruling Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party government, Fernandes led a few hundred people at a protest at Azad Maidan, Panaji, after which she was arrested.

Death Fernandes died on 7 September 2019 after a prolonged illness. The poet Manohar Rai Sardesai wrote about her: