Aldrin Basilio Soares

Aldrin Basilio Soares, the Corporator of the City Corporation of Panjim (CCP) is known to be very helpful in nature, and in fact, has been into social service since childhood. An alumnus of Don Bosco High School and Dhempe College with a BSc. Degree in Botany, and an ex-student of V.M. Salgaocar Law College, Aldrin has over 26 years experience in sports. He has been into Karate since 1983 under Sensei Kishan/Joseph Rodrigues, has undergone Taekwondo training from 1991- 96 under Oscar Luis of Vasco and from 1985 onwards has been into weight-lifting. He is the proprietor of Basilio’s Health Club (Force of Life) since 2002 and the son of Late. Basilio Soares who was A.E. in Electricity Department and Goa’s best goal-keeper in his hay days.

While his involvement in social services may have started early, not many know of his bravura shown in the early 2000s. This anecdote relates itself back to the time of the killer cyclone that struck Goa back then when Aldrin rescued two school-going girls.

That very day, another natural calamity had occurred in Panjim near the Mahalaxmi temple wherein a builder was crushed with his car under a big tree. This time as well, Aldrin did his noble bit and people till today remember him for the same. Present at the removal was Panjim MLA, Manohar Parrikar as well as P.K. John who was at that time the Director of Fire Services. For his earlier act of rescuing the girls in distress, Aldrin was felicitated by the then CM. Pratapsingh Rane.

The aforementioned examples are just two of many good-natured acts that have been a synonym with this genial persona. Whenever he is called upon for help, Aldrin has always been there for his people.

He had set up Basilio’s Health Club (Force of Life) in 2002 over 150 sq. mtrs which was the biggest gym in Goa at that time, and five years hence, in September 2007 shifted to a more spacious area nearby which stands today over a plush 1,400 sq. mtrs, and is easily the biggest gym in the State. More recently, he has set up a small store below the Health Club called Basilio’s Lucky 7 where more of health food is available.

While he may be known as the Corporator of CCP and the proprietor of Basilio’s Health Club (Force of Life), hardly anybody knows that he entered politics and business by default. Going back to the time after his ‘graduation in 1994, young Aldrin dreamt of becoming a police officer. But the ambition only remained a dream as the recruitment batch he was in was cancelled due to certain criterion. At that time, A.K. Singh was the IGP in the State and Aldrin till today has high regards for him. Aldrin’s mother, a lawyer by profession and ex senior superintendent of Bombay High Court was also against her son joining the police force.

The selection process of new recruits not falling in line became the benefactor of the people of St. Inez, Panaji in particular, and others, at large. Undeterred that his dreams of wearing the khaki uniform were shattered, Aldrin took up the challenge to build up dreams of others by entering into the construction business. This venture was to be along with his best friend, Sheikh Mohammed.

It was only a matter of time, that Aidrin who has been the benefactor for many social causes, took it in a new direction, that by serving the people by joining the political bandwagon. In his very first elections contested for the CCP among 11 candidates in his ward at St Inez, he stood a respectable second and this feat was without any political backing but by the support of the common man. In the ensuing elections, in 2005, as the youngest campaigner at 34, he contested under the Babush Monserrate panel in his ward 7 and emerged triumphant. In fact, the votes he garnered were more than any other ward in the Panjim Constituency.

Since becoming the Corporator of Panjim, from ward 7, the living standards in the ward has undergone a change for the better. New drains have been built, roads have been done up, first of which is the most important, that makes an entry to the prestigious Vintage Hospital. This important artery of the road network coming under his ward was done up with the permission of Late Caculo. Aldrin has since helped a lot of people in his ward to get a job in various Government departments.

The latest developmental work he has taken up in his ward is the footpaths and payers right from the Fire Brigade Station at Thad mud, St.Inez to the Government Quarters. He has provided living quarters for 20 not-well-to-do families in one of his buildings for free. He has also helped with his influence in getting electricity connections and water connections promptly for his tenants and people around.

He has allocated around 275 - 300 sq. mtrs. of land for a temple in his property in the name of Ram Purush Devasthan, St Inez.

Aldrin, while accepting his gratitude to the Taleigao MLA, Babush Monserrate for giving him a platform whereby he got the opportunity to serve the people in his ward, also bears in mind, the whole-hearted encouragement from his parents who have played their pivotal part in their son to becoming a successful individual that he is today. Aldrin is considered a good samaritan and a well known figure in the city of Panjim with a humane touch.

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