Ben Antao boldly captures the spirit of the people of Goa as they transition from a Portuguese colony to becoming a part of India, and then as they immigrate to lands beyond, such as Africa and Canada. Wherever they are, “Getting Goa out of the Goan” remains a difficult task, and their indomitable spirits (alcoholic or ghostly), lusts, foibles and religious obeisance stand out as unique markers. From a review of A Madhouse in Goa by Shane Joseph, a Canadian author.

Ben Antao was born in Velim, Goa and has been a journalist, teacher, writer and a certified financial planner now living in Toronto, Canada.

He graduated from the University of Bombay (M.A. in English) and worked as a reporter for The Navhind Times, Panjim, Goa (1963-64) and later joined The Indian Express (1965-66) in Bombay as a reporter. In 1966, he was awarded a journalism fellowship by the World Press Institute based at the Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., for a year’s study and travel in the United States.

On immigrating to Canada in 1967, he worked for The Catholic Register weekly and The Globe and Mail, both of Toronto. In 1976, he graduated from the University of Toronto (B.Ed) and switched to a teaching career, retiring from teaching English in high school in 1998.

Ben is the past president of the Canadian Authors Association, Toronto branch.

Ben and his wife Marinella have a son, Martin.