G O A

February 23, 2017

I AM GRATEFUL TO KUWAIT.

I AM GRATEFUL TO KUWAIT.

Because I went to Kuwait, I made some money.

Because I made some money I managed to get married in time.

Because I went to Kuwait, with my money that I earned in Kuwait thru proper means, I constructed a separate house for my family.

Because I went to Kuwait, I gained some more acquaintances in society.

Because I went to Kuwait, I became what I am now.

Because I went to Kuwait, I managed to unite Goans under one banner to work and to raise funds for the cause of Konkani, Novem Goem, KPA movement in Goa, Goa Cancer Hospital, Direct Flight from Kuwait to Goa, to promote our soccer activities in Kuwait, to establish Kuwait Konknni Kendr, to form Konkani Heritage Kuwait, to help building of Hotel Goan Heritage at Calangute, etc.

Even though I would not rot in Goa if I had not to go to Kuwait because I had strong educational and sporting backing with vast influence in society, yet I feel it is Kuwait that is responsible to make me what I am today. For this reason I am grateful to Kuwait and with this gratitude in mind, 26 years back with my initiative we established an organization called “Goa-Kuwait Solidairty Center” immediately after our evacuation from invaded Kuwait in October 1991, to raise our voice against Saddam Hussein and his Iraq for illegally invading Kuwait on 2^nd August 1990.

Because of this movement Goans in liberated Kuwait gained enormous goodwill from the Kuwait government and Kuwaitis. This goodwill must be allowed to flourish further.

To maintain this goodwill and friendly relationship between Goans and Kuwaitis, I am still raising the voice of this friendship by organizing this meeting to mark the Liberation Day of Kuwait on 26^th February every year.

Earlier it was in Kuwait but now since the last three years of my return to Goa, I am organizing this meeting in Goa with the participation of like minded Goans. Though the attendance was not much inspite of the enormous benefits Kuwait Goans have gained yet those Goans who felt that Kuwait is responsible for their development in their life, they must be a party to this meet. This is the only way thru which we can show our gratitude to Kuwait from where we earned our sustenance and many are still earning.

MEANTIME, LET IT BE KNOWN TO EVERYONE, IT IS NOT KUWAIT THAT NEED US BUT IT IS WE WHO NEED KUWAIT MORE even though we are working very hard in Kuwait in stringent conditions.

A.Veronica Fernandes,

CONVENOR: GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER.

February 21, 2017

GOANS TO .MARK KUWAIT LIBERATION DAY.

On 26^th of this month, Sunday, at 10.00 AM, Kuwait Goan returnees will organize a public meeting in Panjim, at Institute Menezes Braganza Hall, to mark the 26^th Liberation Day of Kuwait. 26 Years back Kuwait was liberated from 7 months of brutal and illegal invasion by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.

When Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein on 2^nd August 1990 early in the morning, innumerable residents of Kuwait, locals as well as foreigners who were earning their sustenance in Kuwait were put into total chaotic situation affecting their economic condition very badly. We Goans were very much the victims of this invasion and because of this we suffered a lot. Good that Kuwait was liberated in 7 months only on 26^th February 1991 for most of us to return back to Kuwait, otherwise life for many of us would be terrible.

Our attachment to Kuwait is very deep even though we worked very hard there under hard conditions. Because of our employment in Kuwait we made lot of development and for this we are grateful to Kuwait. As a mark of gratitude we are organizing this meet on coming Sunday under GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER. Two prominent Kuwaitis are coming from Kuwait to attend this meeting.

All the supporters and well wishers of Kuwait are welcome for this meet.

A.Veronica Fernandes,

CONVENOR: GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER.

February 20, 2017

130th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL OF GOA - ARPORA.

It was 130 years back, the non-Goan Catholic Deacon named Fr. Lyons who established the first English High School of Goa, at Arpora Bardez, known as St. Joseph’s High School, Arpora. Because of its high standard, it was called as Collegio then and even on the Entrance Board during my time too when I was a student of this prestigious school, it was written as “Collegio Diocesan de St. Jose – Arpora”. To mark this occasion, a Science, Art and Cultural Exhibition was organized in the School premises from 17^th to 19^th of this month which was visited by the innumerable visitors not only from the ambient villages but also from distant places, among these visitors there were many ex students like me, too. It was something great and unique event made by the teachers and students of the current scholastic year. Such events were not done by us during our time and I take this opportunity to congratulate first the Headmistress Lona Da Silva, all other Teachers and all the Students.

This event was also organized to coincide with the 50^th anniversary of the takeover of the school by the Diocesan Society of Education.

This school is known to produce the best students of Goa in all the fields, in education as well as in sports and other extra curricular activities. Some of the memorable photographs of the great students of this great school who achieved their greatness while studying in this school were displayed on the School Display Board, some of these photographs go back to the inception year of this school. Unfortunately neither these photographs are seen now nor the Display Board. There were many old items exhibited in this exhibition but not those photos. I was an individual champion of Goa and also the fastest runner of Goa while I was a student of this great school. Along with mine, there were photos of other great sportsmen too of the great students of this great school. It was the finest collection the school had but who spoiled it and who neglected and ignored it, God alone knows.

There were some of the finest exhibits displayed in this exhibition especially the Antiques of Goa. Below here on the photographs some of the Antiques are shown.

A.Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim.