| J. N. Heredia | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of J. N. Heredia | |
| Born | James Nathaniel Heredia |
| Died | 1975 |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Movement | Goa Liberation Movement |
| Spouse | Irene Heredia |
| Awards | Sheriff of Bombay |
James Nathaniel Heredia (died 1975), known popularly as J. N. Heredia, was an Indian diplomat and freedom fighter. A road in Mumbai is named after him, and he was honoured as the sheriff of Bombay.
Life
Early and personal life
James Nathaniel Heredia was born to a family of Goan businesspeople in Bombay. The family is originally from Divar, Goa. His father was Dr. Manoel Heredia, who started the Asian Life Assurance, an insurance company. This was later nationalised. The family also started a steamship service between Bombay and Goa.
Heredia was married to Irene, who was a writer and social worker.
As a diplomat
Heredia was appointed as the honorary consul to Brazil, and remained so for the tenure of three Brazilian ambassadors to India. He resigned in 1954, when Brazil sided with Portugal regarding the freedom of Goa.
Goa liberation movement
In June 1954, the Goa Liberation Council was formed in Bombay, with Heredia, Nicolau Menezes and his brother Armando Menezes as members. They published a fortnightly journal, Goan Tribune, with the intention of highlighting the atrocities of the Portuguese in Goa. This was then distributed by them to political leaders from both India and of western countries. Heredia's family warehouse at Ballard Estate became the headquarters for the Goa Liberation Council.
In June 1957, Heredia was part of a delegation of 11 Goans chosen for consultation by then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Others included Nicolau Menezes and Armando Menezes from the Goa Liberation Council, along with Peter Alvares, Evágrio Jorge, Vishwanath Lawande, Rama Hegde, Gerald Pereira, Pundalik Gaitonde, Luis Gracias and Purushottam Kakodkar.
Death
He died in 1975 of a heart attack.
Awards and accolades
- Heredia was appointed as the honorary consul to Brazil before he resigned in 1954.
- In 1965, he was honoured as the sheriff of Bombay.
- A road in Ballard Estate in Mumbai, is named after him, being renamed from Graham Road.
- The Centre for Counselling at Sophia College for Women is named after him.
References
- ^ Raj Bhavan Archives (A Class Files - Permanent Record (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ Faleiro, Valmiki (24 July 2023). Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. pp. 25, 81, 346. ISBN 978-93-5708-175-7. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Heredia, Irene (2012). It’s Been A Long Day: A Nonagenarian Remembers. Goa: Goa 1556. ISBN 978-93-80739-44-1.
- Raut, H. (1976). Bombay Art Society's Art Journal. Bombay Art Society. p. 20.
- "Goan Nationals Allowed To Send Money Home". Times of India. Delhi. 11 June 1957. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- The Bombay Civic Journal. Vol. 27. Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay. 1980. p. 33.
- "Sophia College For Women". www.sophiacollegemumbai.com. Retrieved 28 December 2024.