ADEUS IXTTA THOMAS.
Almost after 40 years of working in Kuwait, my friend and once colleague Thomas Martinho Fernades finally bade adieu to Kuwait last week. A very active member of Goan community hailing from Navelim the village that gave two great sons to Goa and India, namely Portuguese Parliamentarian who represented Goa in Portuguese Parliament Dr. Francis Luis Gomes and Cardinal Gracias – the first Goan Cardinal. I first met Thomas in 1975 when I joined Behbehani Motors Company where he was already working successfully. When he came to know of my credentials in Goa in sporting fields in athletics and in soccer thru mouth to mouth propaganda and also thru media, he hugged me with admiration saying “Are you the same Anthony Veronica the champion athlete of Goa, fastest runner of Goa and defender of Sesa Goa soccer team?” When I replied affirmatively, he became very good friend of mine guiding and helping me on the job. He was good in his job and liked by our superiors. Because of his smartness on the job, he was seconded to company’s Bahrain branch for one year to help develop Bahrain branch. He was very young and youthful then and still he looks youthful.
Being a member of yesteryears Goan community, he showed great love for all Goan causes and truly supported every Goan cause that we initiated from Kuwait for the cause of Goa and community. When Goans initiated competitive soccer activities for Indians, he was on forefront with United Goans Football Center to promote our soccer. Day and night one could see him at Sour Grounds during those hectic days. In 1980 -81 season when UGFC vindictively suspended G.O.A. Maroons from the League tourney and thereby created foul athmosphere all around, Thomas opposed this suspension and tried as a peace maker to bring reconciliation between the two warring clubs but in vain. He loved peace and friendship.
When I took the initiative to form KUWAIT KONKNNI KENDR with the help of another prominent Navelkar, Mr. Elvino Rodrigues, Thomas was one of the first to support me with his active participation but due to his difficult job schedule he failed to become active Executive Body Member. Otherwise he helped all our activities since he was a great lover of Konkani.
When I formed Novem Goem Pratishthan Kuwait Somithi with Alexandre M. Fernandes and others for the starting of people’s Daily “NOVEM GOEM” in Goa, though Thomas was not our Kuwait committee member yet he supported this move very strongly. During those days he was the only Navelkar displaying prominently the flag of Navelim in support of Goa, Goan culture and tradition.
As a lover of Tiatro, he always supported me in organising Tiatros for the cause of Konkani and to raise funds for the cause of Direct Flight from Kuwait to Goa. It always gave him pleasure to work for the cause of Goa and community. He was not a sectarian Navelkar confining his activities for the cause of Navelim only and looking around Navelim only but he was also a metropolitan Goan looking beyond Navelim and as a matter of fact, he had acceptance from Goan community beyond Navelim residents in Kuwait. Even though he was so popular in Goan community yet he never allowed to make publicity of his social work thru Press writings. He did not like cheap publicity to gain cheap prominence, neither in the Goan community nor among Navelkars. He was not a cheap Navelkar,he was a thorough humble gentleman and was very much responsible for creating a good image of Navelim Youth Center.
His greatest contribution for the cause of Goan community was his strong support for the promotion of GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER activities during the invasion of Kuwait. Along with Elvino Rodrigues, Thomas made heavy awakening in Navelim to mobilize strong force of Kuwait evacuee Navelkars to join in our Rallies at Panjim in support of the liberation of Kuwait. Kuwait evacuee Navelkars came in special Buses with big banners displayed on the hood of the Buses. Unfortunately those who claim to be the leaders of Navelim abstained from participating in this movement thereby showing their opposition to the liberation movement of Kuwait. Such people should be thrown out not only from the Club circle but also from Kuwait.
Thomas Martinho Fernades made Navelim proud. Thomas was great for dishing out great efforts for the cause of Goa. I salute him and wish him best of retired life in Goa and hope, if possible, given a chance he would take active part in the local affairs of Navelim. Under the current corrupt political bigwigs, Navlim lost its pristine greatness. Parliamentarian Francis Luis Gomes brought political honour for Navelim while the current Navelim politicians brought corruption in all fields. This trend has to be arrested. I hope our Thomas will play his role well to bring political discipline in his locality.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
July 17, 2009
July 16, 2009
Warm Farewell extended to Founder Member
By Gasper CrastoKuwait: Thomas Martinho Fernandes, founder member of Navelim Youth Centre(NYC) was felicitated at a warm farewell party organized by the club at Village Inn Hotel on Monday, 13th June 2009.
The evening was set in motion by live music by young talented musicians of Navelim, Lentini and Platini Luis.
Thomas was honored with a memento for being the founder member of the club and in recognition for his immense contribution towards the club and community. Speaking on the occasion, NYC Vice-President Luis D’Silva said, “Thomas was an architect and one of the pillars of the club who always stood for unity among its members.”
Thomas, who first came to Kuwait in 1970, was employed by Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group for whom he worked for a year in Bahrain as well. Later he worked with Al Nisf, Boodai Group and Atlas Copco.
Thomas was one of the foremost persons instrumental in establishing Navelim Youth Centre in Kuwait. He was highly active in social, cultural, sports and charitable works of the club since its inception in 1987. He has served NYC for several years in different capacities. Keeping the youth and senior members of the club united has been one his forte. His creative and dynamic ideas have gained applauds from many members of the club and community.
The members in their speeches recalled Thomas’ humbleness, immense talent and his selfless contribution in helping NYC organize events of excellence in Kuwait and back home in Goa. Senior NYC member Elvino Rodrigues praised Thomas for his gallant efforts in spreading friendship within the community while popular member Junnifer Rod paid rich tributes for his role in serving Konkani dramas and contributing towards Indian Football in Kuwait. Incidentally, it should be noted that Thomas was one of the members of United Goans who were involved in initiating football activities in Kuwait way back in 1979. Thomas was also a strong supporter of Kuwait Konkani Kendr.
"I am leaving with fond memories of Kuwait and the friends that I have made over the years," said an emotional Thomas in his farewell speech.
Thomas leaves Kuwait for good to be with his wife Natalia and two children Kevin and Kimberley.
The evening was set in motion by live music by young talented musicians of Navelim, Lentini and Platini Luis.
Thomas was honored with a memento for being the founder member of the club and in recognition for his immense contribution towards the club and community. Speaking on the occasion, NYC Vice-President Luis D’Silva said, “Thomas was an architect and one of the pillars of the club who always stood for unity among its members.”
Thomas, who first came to Kuwait in 1970, was employed by Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group for whom he worked for a year in Bahrain as well. Later he worked with Al Nisf, Boodai Group and Atlas Copco.
Thomas was one of the foremost persons instrumental in establishing Navelim Youth Centre in Kuwait. He was highly active in social, cultural, sports and charitable works of the club since its inception in 1987. He has served NYC for several years in different capacities. Keeping the youth and senior members of the club united has been one his forte. His creative and dynamic ideas have gained applauds from many members of the club and community.
The members in their speeches recalled Thomas’ humbleness, immense talent and his selfless contribution in helping NYC organize events of excellence in Kuwait and back home in Goa. Senior NYC member Elvino Rodrigues praised Thomas for his gallant efforts in spreading friendship within the community while popular member Junnifer Rod paid rich tributes for his role in serving Konkani dramas and contributing towards Indian Football in Kuwait. Incidentally, it should be noted that Thomas was one of the members of United Goans who were involved in initiating football activities in Kuwait way back in 1979. Thomas was also a strong supporter of Kuwait Konkani Kendr.
"I am leaving with fond memories of Kuwait and the friends that I have made over the years," said an emotional Thomas in his farewell speech.
Thomas leaves Kuwait for good to be with his wife Natalia and two children Kevin and Kimberley.
For more Photos: Play slideshow
July 15, 2009
G'BYE GOA: PAKLES ARRIVE.
G’BYE GOA: PAKLES ARRIVE.
By Valmiki Faleiro.
West Asian Muslims were in Goa circa the 8th/9th century, as traders at the prosperous port of Gopakapattana (from Dando-Agacaim to the foothills of Siridao.) As also were the St. Thomas Christians, descendants of 12 Brahmin families first converted in Muziris (Cranganore), Travancore and Cochin by Christ’s own ‘doubting’ Thomas. When Afonso de Albuquerque arrived as Governor of Cochin in 1506, he dreamt of an Eastern Empire. He captured Socotra to control shipping lines in the Red Sea, to crack the monopoly of oriental trade between Arabs and Italians in Alexandria and Venice. His next object was Hormuz, a strategic island between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which would provide control over the major flow of Gulf trade.
Albuquerque was preparing for an attack on an Egyptian trade fleet in the Red Sea when the Vijayanagarinaval captain, Thimayya, came calling. Thimayya convinced Albuquerque it would be better to attack Goa first. Because the Sultan of Bijapur built ships in Goa, like his own ‘Caravela,’ for Egyptian/Turk traders. Albuquerque also knew that Goa, a trade entrepôt on the western seaboard of India, would get him closer to his dream eastern empire. When he conquered Goa, he promised to destroy the Muslims and protect the Hindus. Albuquerque had a pathological hatred of Muslims. Muslims had occupied Portugal, rather barbarically, for four and half centuries (check the coincidence with 1510-1961)! After 3,700 wars, Portugal finally emerged free in 1238/9.
Albuquerque lived by his word. During the 1510 battles, he ordered his soldiers not totraumatize Hindu locals, under the pain of death penalty. He proclaimed freedom of worship and slashed taxes to a third of what Bijapur collected. He assured Goans would be treated as Portuguese citizens. He abolished sati, set up a municipality and a court of law, styled on the lines of Lisbon. He built Goa’s first church, endowing it with revenue of confiscated mosque lands. He erected impressive public buildings, beautified the city, and started its first school.
Albuquerque’s success as a soldier/strategist/statesman was envied by his fellowmen, who intrigued and won over the king in Lisbon. Albuquerque was peremptorily deposed. He died of shock as his ship, after a successful mission in Hormuz, entered the Aguada Bay, where he was served the news. His body lay interred in Goa for 51 years, until itwas finally allowed – not by a royal order, but by a Papal Bull – into Portugal. His successors changed the policy towards Goa. Egged on by European missionaries,they decided to christianize Goa. Divar’s Ganesh temple was the first to be destroyed, in 1515. On June 30, 1541, the first order to demolish all Hindu temples was enforced.Then began a saga of persecution of Goan Hindus, and Christians under the Inquisition.The persecution continued until all missionary orders were banned by Portugal’s atheist Prime Minister, Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo, the Count of Oeiras (later, Marquis of Pombal), in 1761.
For 16th to 18th century Portuguese officials, Goa was a place of loot and fun. Best described by Portugal’s national poet, Luis de Camoens. He landed in Goa, and soon in the Margao jail – where the Old Market trial courts now are – for writing in highly critical terms of his compatriots in Goa. When in liberty, he ‘married’ a local girl named Barbara,who he described as “Aquela cativa que me tem cativo...” (that captive who holds me captive.) During those two dark centuries, a good part of Goa – then comprising of Bardez,Tiswadi and Salcete talukas – moved either to the New Conquest talukas or beyond. Many Salcetans settled in South Kanara. In my hometown of Margao, 99.99% of‘Mathagramasths’ (as Margaoites were known) relocated. Of the few ‘ganvkars’ who stayed back were two Faleiro families, one my own, the other of Adv. Lourencinho of Borda (and its two branches, one of late Arthur Faleiro, the other of Mario/late Narciso),and a Moraes family that shifted to Benaulim. Among Hindus, only the Ghodes count. This out-migration by Goans, both Hindu and Catholic, on account of persecution, was,though substantial, neither the first as generally – and wrongly – believed, nor the last.We will come to that story of Goan Emigration from next Sunday. (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.
By Valmiki Faleiro.
West Asian Muslims were in Goa circa the 8th/9th century, as traders at the prosperous port of Gopakapattana (from Dando-Agacaim to the foothills of Siridao.) As also were the St. Thomas Christians, descendants of 12 Brahmin families first converted in Muziris (Cranganore), Travancore and Cochin by Christ’s own ‘doubting’ Thomas. When Afonso de Albuquerque arrived as Governor of Cochin in 1506, he dreamt of an Eastern Empire. He captured Socotra to control shipping lines in the Red Sea, to crack the monopoly of oriental trade between Arabs and Italians in Alexandria and Venice. His next object was Hormuz, a strategic island between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which would provide control over the major flow of Gulf trade.
Albuquerque was preparing for an attack on an Egyptian trade fleet in the Red Sea when the Vijayanagarinaval captain, Thimayya, came calling. Thimayya convinced Albuquerque it would be better to attack Goa first. Because the Sultan of Bijapur built ships in Goa, like his own ‘Caravela,’ for Egyptian/Turk traders. Albuquerque also knew that Goa, a trade entrepôt on the western seaboard of India, would get him closer to his dream eastern empire. When he conquered Goa, he promised to destroy the Muslims and protect the Hindus. Albuquerque had a pathological hatred of Muslims. Muslims had occupied Portugal, rather barbarically, for four and half centuries (check the coincidence with 1510-1961)! After 3,700 wars, Portugal finally emerged free in 1238/9.
Albuquerque lived by his word. During the 1510 battles, he ordered his soldiers not totraumatize Hindu locals, under the pain of death penalty. He proclaimed freedom of worship and slashed taxes to a third of what Bijapur collected. He assured Goans would be treated as Portuguese citizens. He abolished sati, set up a municipality and a court of law, styled on the lines of Lisbon. He built Goa’s first church, endowing it with revenue of confiscated mosque lands. He erected impressive public buildings, beautified the city, and started its first school.
Albuquerque’s success as a soldier/strategist/statesman was envied by his fellowmen, who intrigued and won over the king in Lisbon. Albuquerque was peremptorily deposed. He died of shock as his ship, after a successful mission in Hormuz, entered the Aguada Bay, where he was served the news. His body lay interred in Goa for 51 years, until itwas finally allowed – not by a royal order, but by a Papal Bull – into Portugal. His successors changed the policy towards Goa. Egged on by European missionaries,they decided to christianize Goa. Divar’s Ganesh temple was the first to be destroyed, in 1515. On June 30, 1541, the first order to demolish all Hindu temples was enforced.Then began a saga of persecution of Goan Hindus, and Christians under the Inquisition.The persecution continued until all missionary orders were banned by Portugal’s atheist Prime Minister, Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo, the Count of Oeiras (later, Marquis of Pombal), in 1761.
For 16th to 18th century Portuguese officials, Goa was a place of loot and fun. Best described by Portugal’s national poet, Luis de Camoens. He landed in Goa, and soon in the Margao jail – where the Old Market trial courts now are – for writing in highly critical terms of his compatriots in Goa. When in liberty, he ‘married’ a local girl named Barbara,who he described as “Aquela cativa que me tem cativo...” (that captive who holds me captive.) During those two dark centuries, a good part of Goa – then comprising of Bardez,Tiswadi and Salcete talukas – moved either to the New Conquest talukas or beyond. Many Salcetans settled in South Kanara. In my hometown of Margao, 99.99% of‘Mathagramasths’ (as Margaoites were known) relocated. Of the few ‘ganvkars’ who stayed back were two Faleiro families, one my own, the other of Adv. Lourencinho of Borda (and its two branches, one of late Arthur Faleiro, the other of Mario/late Narciso),and a Moraes family that shifted to Benaulim. Among Hindus, only the Ghodes count. This out-migration by Goans, both Hindu and Catholic, on account of persecution, was,though substantial, neither the first as generally – and wrongly – believed, nor the last.We will come to that story of Goan Emigration from next Sunday. (ENDS.)
The Valmiki Faleiro weekly column.
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