GOAN FOOTBALL – IN GOA & KUWAIT….. II
In 1930’s at Burgan, Oil findings was noticed by the British but because of the World Wars I & II, no exploration was done. The Oil exploration finally went into action after the end of II World War. Because of Oil exploration, commercial activities in Kuwait increased especially at a place called Ahmadi where all the Oil companies started its operations. To do these activities, manpower requirements came about and due to this lot of vacancies were created. To fill these vacancies of different categories, many young Goans were recruited from Goa and Bombay. This was in early fifties whence Goans started pouring in Kuwait, those coming directly from Goa came to Kuwait with Portuguese Passports while those coming from Bombay came to Kuwait with Bharati Passports. When both categories of Goans landed in Kuwait, some created disputes amongst them. Many of the Goans holding Bharati Passports called Portuguese Passport holder Goans as “Chamchas” of Portugal while those Goans holding Portuguese Passports dubbed Bharati Passport holder Goans as “Ghantti” Goans. Antonio Mario Fernandes from Candolim an employee of KOC as Auto Electrician, was like a leader of Portuguese Passport holder Goans. He was very daring, very knowledgeable, very well read and highly literate. He was pro-Portuguese and Pro-Goa for Goans. He once gathered some like minded Goans and hoisted the Portuguese Flag in KOC Compound at Ahmadi in front of their residential area on the National Day of Portugal which coincides with the birthday of the great Portuguese Poet Luis de Camoes and rendered Portuguese National Anthem “Herois do Mar”. This was somewhere in 1958. This news finally became an instant hit not only in Kuwait but also in India, Goa and Portugal. When Salazar got this news in Portugal thru British Foreign Office, he sent special message to Portuguese Governador of Goa to contact Antonio’s people at his Candolim Pintos Vaddo home. When Portuguese Pakles with their top military escorts came to their place in Candolim with the message of Salazar, that day the whole village vibrated but only the Bamons and Bhattkars became jealous because Antonio known in Candolim as Lapitt Anton was a commoner.
The number of Goans coming to Kuwait swelled in early sixties. Many amongst these Goans were highly talented footballers. Two names immediately come to my mind are those of Alexinho from Calangute Khobravaddo and Stanley from Siolim, near the girls Convent. Stanley as a student of Guirim School where he excelled in football joined Goa’s Bemfica and even played for Goa XI during Portuguese time. While Alexinho was much more admired in Goa and Bombay as well for Young Goans. Both these players played in Ahmadi for and against Europeans. Alexinho is the father of ex Dempo’s goalkeeper Domnick. Both Alexinho and Stanley died in Goa a few years back. Alexinho because of his high level soccer skill even had an offer to go to England to play there, this offer was given to him by his British boss but because of his certain deficiencies he refused to accept this beautiful offer. Otherwise, he would be the first Goan and first Indian to play in England and not Baichung Bhutia. Stanley had strong power in his legs. Once, at Ahmadi ground after scoring a beautiful goal against Hubara Club comprising Europeans, with a powerful shot, some Britishers after the game came to him, lowered his socks and with admiration started caressing and checking his leg thru which he socred that memorable goal. After Britishers, Goans were number one foot-ballers in Kuwait during those days in late fifties and sixties and in fact they were acknowledged as such, as well, by all.
The next wave of Goans entering in Kuwait was in mid seventies after the Oil Boom following the Arab – Israeli War in early seventies leading to the increase in Oil Price worldwide. Because of this, money power of Gulf countries increased tremendously making these countries go for development of their infrastructure and increase in commercial activities. Majority of these Goans who came to Kuwait during this time were young like me and skilful in many activities mainly in soccer. Overwhelming majority of them concentrated in and around Kuwait city only. For recreation many of them started playing soccer behind the Church area. Suddenly and very appropriately it dawned on somebody amongst them to form a foot-ball club and start a competitive tournament for Goans. Diogo Gomes from Bastora, Custodio from Navelim, Moses from Candolim (Young Menezes’ Son), F. X. D’Souza from Assagao, Alcantra Barreto ex Salgaocars, one Mr. Benny a Bombay Goan and many others were regularly congregating on Fridays to play friendly soccer behind the Church area and to be there. While playing they were also discussing the initiating of a tournament. In this talk they were also ably supported by Tony Gonsalves from Divar, Joe Fernandes from Colva and many others. In the beginning it was like a dream but gradually it turned out to be a reality. I realized that it will turn out to be a reality because of the association in this group of one smart Goan young boy of that time, Mr. F. X. Joe D’Souza from Assagao who had exceptionally high calibre in organizing sports activities in his village back home before coming to Kuwait. None in that group were as talented in organising sporting events as he was. He was my colleague at St. Xaviers College, Mapusa, he studied up to MSc when his other colleagues were not even shade of his educational background, some of them not even knew what MSc is, that was the quality of many of the Goans in Kuwait at that time. He used to organize in his village Assagao high caliber sports activities with the participation of top Goan sportsmen, he had very good knowledge of sports administration, he himself was a very good sportsman during his youth, he played with me for St. Xaviers College soccer team, he was a fine athlete at All Goa level and a champion Pole Vaulter. He was a decent boy with high discipline and high moral character while many of his colleagues lacked many of his attributes. They were intellectually bankrupt.
In order to highlight their efforts and to promote our football, I interviewed their the then president Tony Fernandes in the presence of some of their club members and published it in Goan Weekly "Goycho Mog". It became an instant hit, even those semi-educated in English who were feeling shy to read Konkani also read it with much interest and thru this writing of mine the publicity and popularity of our tournament reached to the zenith.
Alcantra Barreto was a great Goan footballer, representing GOA XI from 1964 and a regular member of Goa XI for Santosh Trophy, a year before his coming to Kuwait he even captained GOA XI in the Santosh Trophy. Custodio from Navelim was during his youth was a very good player, Tony Gonsalves was a good player during his youth while Diogo Gomes was a great lover of soccer, so too Moses Menezes, Joe Fernandes, and others. But one thing was certain in all of them that they were mad lovers of soccer, they ate soccer, they drank soccer, they talked soccer, they sang soccer and they inhaled soccer. Only because of this quality they managed to initiate our first ever competitive soccer tournament in Kuwait in 1979 not only for Goans but for all Indians residing in Kuwait, under United Goans Centre, the Club they formed a year prior to the inaugural tournament in 1979 summer, the year I got married in Kuwait on 20th September with my long time prettiest girlfriend Fatima from Calangute. The inaugural tournament (and all subsequents) was League-cum- knock-out tournament which finally won by Goan Sporting, not only for that year but even the next year successively. Unfortunately, both the finals were played at Ahmadi because both the Tonys lacked marbles to defy their fake opponents in holding the finals at Sour Grounds. Both the Tonys and their equally guilty colleagues in UG had marbles only to unnecessarily suspend G.O.A. Maroons and create discord amongst Goans. Their motto was to demolish powerful G.O.A. Maroons from Sour Grounds but it did not happen. The cunning trick of one of the Tony’s in this direction failed to work though the plan was nicely devised. It is said in Konkani “Bamnani Kaddlolo Voi Pun Vaddlolo Nhoi”.
G.O.A. Maroons since its inception in 1980 is a powerhouse while UG under Tony Gonsalves started tottering when most of its former associates deserted him and his UG. And with the leadership of a Bebdo who was involved in robbing KIFF funds, nothing good will come. This bloody Bebdo after the liberation of Kuwait at Sour Grounds one day was threathening me with dire consequences for my organising a movement in Goa under "Goa-Kuwait Solidarity Center" during the invasion of Kuwait in support of the liberation of Kuwait. Infact not only he, even not a single colleague of his in Sour soccer Administration supported us openly in our movement in Goa during the invasion time of Kuwait. They were acting like enemies of Kuwait. These rascals want Kuwait only to earn Dinars but not to support Kuwait during its critical time. They are enemies of Kuwait. Not supporting is one thing but opposing me for supporting Kuwait is the worst crime. If it is not for Kuwait they would rot in Goa. Who cares for such idiots in Goa? What is their calibre in Goa? What is their knowledge of soccer to be somebody in Goan soccer in Goa? It looks all the rats will desert the sinking ship and only the Bebdo will remain with his Battli to destroy what we built thru our hard work in the past in which my efforts must take precedence over those of many others. Incidentally, none in the present set- up of the organisers of our Soccer at Sour Grounds was existing then, though some of them were existing in Kuwait but hiding under the petticoats of their wives, mothers, girlfriends or concubines or dipped into the "Battli". Some of those who are boasting of their presence then in Kuwait were in no way party to our efforts in the promotion of our soccer at Sour Grounds. They were not existing for us then because they were living in Kuwait as non-entities, unknown, unheard and unseen in public life.
To be concluded.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 30, 2007
Re: Goan Football
From: AAssoc4994@aol.com
To: goancauses@yahoogroups.com
CC: averonicaf806@hotmail.com
Veronica:
My memory tells me, fllodlight game was also played in Margao and Independente has seven pacles from Tropa Rawanfond, Margao. I used to catch hand of paclo to make my way in without bilhete.
Clube Independente de Margao was financed by Goan Hindu shop keepers. Then, I was a young boy, we'were all young then, I grew up in Magao. In konkani, we used to say "Independi club" located behind Cine Lata Margao. All shops shutters went down at 3PM, when "Independi club" played in Margao.
Vimson(Salgaoncar), Velha de Goa, Ferroviarios( Benjamin goalie), Academica, Independente, Policia de Goa, Santa Ines, were great clubs, great standards. All credit goes to Goa Portuguesa.
Go to goancauses.com paste this http://www.goancauses.com/gallery/2.html you will see pictures of following players of Independente courtesy of Menino Figueredo de Carmona, not Cuncolim:
Fenelon D' Souza, Jackson, Francis, Rock Cruz, Menino Figueredo, Vetto, Amrut Verenkar, Mendes, Basto, Alisab Sadekar, Ravi, etc.
I've no idea where all these players are gone. I know poor Vasu Raiturcar passed away.
Menino Figueredo is still living, once he was very sick, in that sickness he lost his hearing, last I saw Menino in 2003 in Carmona at Jules Alberto wedding, I made efforts to see Menino in person, because Menino could not make for Jules wedding.
You're a great asset for Goan Portuguesa football.
Thanks.
Mog Assom
Agnelo Gomes
USA
To: goancauses@yahoogroups.com
CC: averonicaf806@hotmail.com
Veronica:
My memory tells me, fllodlight game was also played in Margao and Independente has seven pacles from Tropa Rawanfond, Margao. I used to catch hand of paclo to make my way in without bilhete.
Clube Independente de Margao was financed by Goan Hindu shop keepers. Then, I was a young boy, we'were all young then, I grew up in Magao. In konkani, we used to say "Independi club" located behind Cine Lata Margao. All shops shutters went down at 3PM, when "Independi club" played in Margao.
Vimson(Salgaoncar), Velha de Goa, Ferroviarios( Benjamin goalie), Academica, Independente, Policia de Goa, Santa Ines, were great clubs, great standards. All credit goes to Goa Portuguesa.
Go to goancauses.com paste this http://www.goancauses.com/gallery/2.html you will see pictures of following players of Independente courtesy of Menino Figueredo de Carmona, not Cuncolim:
Fenelon D' Souza, Jackson, Francis, Rock Cruz, Menino Figueredo, Vetto, Amrut Verenkar, Mendes, Basto, Alisab Sadekar, Ravi, etc.
I've no idea where all these players are gone. I know poor Vasu Raiturcar passed away.
Menino Figueredo is still living, once he was very sick, in that sickness he lost his hearing, last I saw Menino in 2003 in Carmona at Jules Alberto wedding, I made efforts to see Menino in person, because Menino could not make for Jules wedding.
You're a great asset for Goan Portuguesa football.
Thanks.
Mog Assom
Agnelo Gomes
USA
June 29, 2007
CONGRESS' CHICKANERY & MUMMY'S FAST.
CONGRESS’ CHICKANERY & MUMMY’S FAST.
Soon after the exit of Portuguese Government in Goa, without election, two prominent Goans were nominated in the Indian Parliament to represent Goa, one Christian and one Dr. Gaitonde, if I am not mistaken. If any of the readers of this article knows their correct names, I would be pleased to learn. The nomination of the Christian nominee was objected by one Christian Goan freedom fighter Rock Santan from Cuncolim. As a mark of his protest, Rock Santan went onto fast. Central leaders came to know of this and Prime Minister of India, a Congressman, immediately called Rock Santan to Delhi to discuss this issue. Rock Santan stopped his fast and went to Delhi and met Nehru. According to information received that time, Nehru sarcastically asked Rock Santan thus “It would be o.k. if you have organized a fast against Portuguese rule but it is surprising you went onto fast against your own Goan brother. Where you want him to go?”. Rock Santan had no answer.
Now, according to the latest press reports, Mummy Victoria Fernandes who had organized her fast unto death for denying her a ministerial berth in Digambar Kamat’s ministry which she finally withdrew after two days, is called to Delhi by the Central leadership. History repeats itself and it is repeating. Earlier it was Nehru and now it must be Sonia the grand daughter-in-law of Nehru, both Congress persons. Nehru an “asli” Bharati while Sonia is only a “nakli” Indian whose love for Bharat is only superficial. Even after so many years of her wedded life with Bharati Rajiv Gandhi she refused to surrender her Italian citizenship in favour of Indian. She has no love for Indian women and their emancipation. Her talk of empowerment of Indian women is just a lose talk of a domestic woman. Her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi treated her for so many years as a domestic woman only to look after her household affairs.
If Sonia Gandhi was true to her own words then she would have made Digambar Kamat to include Mummy into Goa’s Cabinet. Sonia is least bothered about Goa. What much politically she can gain from Goa? Only for Goans our dearest Goa is big and also Goa’s interest. At All India level, Goa’s share of 2 MP’s in India’s Parliament is like a pubic hair without much importance. Even if Goa goes out of Congress control, Sonia will never care. Especially Sonia will not care for any of the Goan politicians. On the contrary, Remo Fernandes will have more pull in front of Sonia Gandhi but not the Goan Congressmen who are all chors and Bamttes and that they are so Sonia knows very well. See now how they are demanding portfolios of their choice and Digambar is succumbing to their greed. They demand like a thief demanding a key of the treasury from the owner. Once the thief gets a key of the treasury in his hands then you know what it is going to happen. Unfortunately, Goan populace in general are keeping their silence over all these “Chors” who are come on to the fore to rob Goa, to rob Goans and to destroy Goa. Where are all the Goa lovers, Goan social workers and conscientious Goans gone now to accept robbers as Goa’s Montris? Mummy has done what it is required in Goa but others with strong love for Goa must go to Delhi and organize their fast in front of Congress Headquarters so that Goa’s woes are highlighted more openly and more widely. If any financial help is required, call and appeal worldwide Goans, they are interested in safeguarding the interest of Goa, if genuine persons, genuine Goa lovers come forward. Money should not be a hindrance.
Every time approaching High Command in Delhi is like a joke. It was o.k., during colonial time because Goa then was under the Portuguese rule and Lisboa’s approval was needed for so many things. But now the way Congress Party and its leaders run for High Command in Delhi, it looks even when going to the Toilet, Digambar and his Congressmen will have to approach High Command. It looks one Portuguese gone and another Portuguese came in Goa. One High Command of Lisboa gone and it is replaced by another High Command of Delhi. There is nothing difference between Portuguese High Command and Delhi High Command. Both are same, both are colonizers of Goa, one open while the other in a disguise form. If Parrikar was good and non-communal things would not have been as bad in Goa as it is now. It is certain now that Digambar’s Ministry will not last. It is jittery and it is tottering. Digambar Kamat is not a man wielding allegiance of all, he is only a sectarian leader. Margao is not whole of Goa. He has betrayed Mummy with a Judas Kiss and instead elevated a new comer and a “Kalcho Porcho Potto” Biswajeet Rane in the Cabinet. People in Goa must revolt against all this mischief Congress is playing in Goa. That “Contrel” Margareth Alva will not only destroy Congress in Goa but also she will destroy Goa itself. I have already informed separately Sonia Gandhi and High Command of her nuisance in Goa and I have also informed High Command of my disapproval of what Congress has done for Mummy. While working in Kuwait we are not sleeping, we are as conscious of Goan affairs as our Goa conscious brothers and sisters in Goa.
Mummy has done lot of good for the cause of Goa. She stood by Goa during Opinion Poll, she fought for its victory. She stood by us during Language agitation. She fought for Goa’s Statehood. She fought against Monsurate’s TCP Ordinance 18 months back when I too participated in her campaign in the Morchas, Dharnas, Public Meetings and even addressing them at some places in Goa. She has love for Goa and Goans. She made Goa swallower Babush Monsurate and his wife Jennifer pigmies in the last election. She is aged and much matured person deserving highest consideration. Wouldn’t it be better if she had to withdraw her support to Congress Party or legality prevents her from doing this? It is not me alone who support her but innumerable Kuwait Goans are in solidarity with her. Let Mummy Victoria be victorious in her fight.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Soon after the exit of Portuguese Government in Goa, without election, two prominent Goans were nominated in the Indian Parliament to represent Goa, one Christian and one Dr. Gaitonde, if I am not mistaken. If any of the readers of this article knows their correct names, I would be pleased to learn. The nomination of the Christian nominee was objected by one Christian Goan freedom fighter Rock Santan from Cuncolim. As a mark of his protest, Rock Santan went onto fast. Central leaders came to know of this and Prime Minister of India, a Congressman, immediately called Rock Santan to Delhi to discuss this issue. Rock Santan stopped his fast and went to Delhi and met Nehru. According to information received that time, Nehru sarcastically asked Rock Santan thus “It would be o.k. if you have organized a fast against Portuguese rule but it is surprising you went onto fast against your own Goan brother. Where you want him to go?”. Rock Santan had no answer.
Now, according to the latest press reports, Mummy Victoria Fernandes who had organized her fast unto death for denying her a ministerial berth in Digambar Kamat’s ministry which she finally withdrew after two days, is called to Delhi by the Central leadership. History repeats itself and it is repeating. Earlier it was Nehru and now it must be Sonia the grand daughter-in-law of Nehru, both Congress persons. Nehru an “asli” Bharati while Sonia is only a “nakli” Indian whose love for Bharat is only superficial. Even after so many years of her wedded life with Bharati Rajiv Gandhi she refused to surrender her Italian citizenship in favour of Indian. She has no love for Indian women and their emancipation. Her talk of empowerment of Indian women is just a lose talk of a domestic woman. Her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi treated her for so many years as a domestic woman only to look after her household affairs.
If Sonia Gandhi was true to her own words then she would have made Digambar Kamat to include Mummy into Goa’s Cabinet. Sonia is least bothered about Goa. What much politically she can gain from Goa? Only for Goans our dearest Goa is big and also Goa’s interest. At All India level, Goa’s share of 2 MP’s in India’s Parliament is like a pubic hair without much importance. Even if Goa goes out of Congress control, Sonia will never care. Especially Sonia will not care for any of the Goan politicians. On the contrary, Remo Fernandes will have more pull in front of Sonia Gandhi but not the Goan Congressmen who are all chors and Bamttes and that they are so Sonia knows very well. See now how they are demanding portfolios of their choice and Digambar is succumbing to their greed. They demand like a thief demanding a key of the treasury from the owner. Once the thief gets a key of the treasury in his hands then you know what it is going to happen. Unfortunately, Goan populace in general are keeping their silence over all these “Chors” who are come on to the fore to rob Goa, to rob Goans and to destroy Goa. Where are all the Goa lovers, Goan social workers and conscientious Goans gone now to accept robbers as Goa’s Montris? Mummy has done what it is required in Goa but others with strong love for Goa must go to Delhi and organize their fast in front of Congress Headquarters so that Goa’s woes are highlighted more openly and more widely. If any financial help is required, call and appeal worldwide Goans, they are interested in safeguarding the interest of Goa, if genuine persons, genuine Goa lovers come forward. Money should not be a hindrance.
Every time approaching High Command in Delhi is like a joke. It was o.k., during colonial time because Goa then was under the Portuguese rule and Lisboa’s approval was needed for so many things. But now the way Congress Party and its leaders run for High Command in Delhi, it looks even when going to the Toilet, Digambar and his Congressmen will have to approach High Command. It looks one Portuguese gone and another Portuguese came in Goa. One High Command of Lisboa gone and it is replaced by another High Command of Delhi. There is nothing difference between Portuguese High Command and Delhi High Command. Both are same, both are colonizers of Goa, one open while the other in a disguise form. If Parrikar was good and non-communal things would not have been as bad in Goa as it is now. It is certain now that Digambar’s Ministry will not last. It is jittery and it is tottering. Digambar Kamat is not a man wielding allegiance of all, he is only a sectarian leader. Margao is not whole of Goa. He has betrayed Mummy with a Judas Kiss and instead elevated a new comer and a “Kalcho Porcho Potto” Biswajeet Rane in the Cabinet. People in Goa must revolt against all this mischief Congress is playing in Goa. That “Contrel” Margareth Alva will not only destroy Congress in Goa but also she will destroy Goa itself. I have already informed separately Sonia Gandhi and High Command of her nuisance in Goa and I have also informed High Command of my disapproval of what Congress has done for Mummy. While working in Kuwait we are not sleeping, we are as conscious of Goan affairs as our Goa conscious brothers and sisters in Goa.
Mummy has done lot of good for the cause of Goa. She stood by Goa during Opinion Poll, she fought for its victory. She stood by us during Language agitation. She fought for Goa’s Statehood. She fought against Monsurate’s TCP Ordinance 18 months back when I too participated in her campaign in the Morchas, Dharnas, Public Meetings and even addressing them at some places in Goa. She has love for Goa and Goans. She made Goa swallower Babush Monsurate and his wife Jennifer pigmies in the last election. She is aged and much matured person deserving highest consideration. Wouldn’t it be better if she had to withdraw her support to Congress Party or legality prevents her from doing this? It is not me alone who support her but innumerable Kuwait Goans are in solidarity with her. Let Mummy Victoria be victorious in her fight.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 28, 2007
Reply to Agnelo Gomes.
Dear Agnelo Gomes,
Thank you for your compliments.
I know Club Independent but do not remember seven Pakles playing them. Independente was a very good team during those days and after Portuguese exit the club maintained its reputation. One of their players goalkeeper Damu was exceptionally talented and later on he joined our team Sesa Goa. We both played together. It was in late sixties.
Vasu Raiturkar was a real great player and I should not have missed him earlier in my article. I remember him very well. He was the best right outer of Salgaocar and Goa ever had. He was very speedy. I remember because of my speed and running capacity with full velocity once at Mapusa when we clashed with Salgaocar, I was put by my coach to mark him and to check his speedy moves. He was not very well built physically. He was very clean and decent player. He could win the match on his own. Once at Police ground when Salgaocar needed a goal to win their crucial match, VM Salgaocar seated on the VIP chair forgot himself and shouted loudly - "Vasu - Vasu, mar re" and then and there Vasu scored the crucial goal.
Keshav was the excellent midfield maestro of Vasco and Goa. Very brainy. Goa is yet to produce another Keshav. I played against him.
By the way, where are these all now? Are they happy in life after serving Goan soccer for so many years and so nicely? Can anyone give some information?
I think the flood light game you saw in late fifties was not in Margao but at Velha Goa in a specially prepared ground. Correct me if I am wrong.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
K R A N T I
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
Thank you for your compliments.
I know Club Independent but do not remember seven Pakles playing them. Independente was a very good team during those days and after Portuguese exit the club maintained its reputation. One of their players goalkeeper Damu was exceptionally talented and later on he joined our team Sesa Goa. We both played together. It was in late sixties.
Vasu Raiturkar was a real great player and I should not have missed him earlier in my article. I remember him very well. He was the best right outer of Salgaocar and Goa ever had. He was very speedy. I remember because of my speed and running capacity with full velocity once at Mapusa when we clashed with Salgaocar, I was put by my coach to mark him and to check his speedy moves. He was not very well built physically. He was very clean and decent player. He could win the match on his own. Once at Police ground when Salgaocar needed a goal to win their crucial match, VM Salgaocar seated on the VIP chair forgot himself and shouted loudly - "Vasu - Vasu, mar re" and then and there Vasu scored the crucial goal.
Keshav was the excellent midfield maestro of Vasco and Goa. Very brainy. Goa is yet to produce another Keshav. I played against him.
By the way, where are these all now? Are they happy in life after serving Goan soccer for so many years and so nicely? Can anyone give some information?
I think the flood light game you saw in late fifties was not in Margao but at Velha Goa in a specially prepared ground. Correct me if I am wrong.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
K R A N T I
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
Re:GOAN FOOTBAL - IN GOA & KUWAIT
Veronica:
Very good article. You forgot to mention Clube Independente de Margao w/ seven pacles,
Menino Figereredo de Cuncolim, Vasu Raiturcar, Ravi, Ali, Keshav.
I'm remember watching Benfica, Lourenco Marques, Pakistan, Velho de Goa, Vasco da Gama w/ Paclo Saturninho.
Arantel was a great player, scored many goals from offside position.
I saw games under floodlight in Margao.
I'm an old timer from Comba, Margao.
Visit goancauses.com to see complete team of Clube Independende de Margao in 1956.
Thanks.
Paclo
Agnelo Gomes,
USA
From: AAssoc4994@aol.com
To: goancauses@yahoogroups.com
CC: averonicaf806@hotmail.com
Very good article. You forgot to mention Clube Independente de Margao w/ seven pacles,
Menino Figereredo de Cuncolim, Vasu Raiturcar, Ravi, Ali, Keshav.
I'm remember watching Benfica, Lourenco Marques, Pakistan, Velho de Goa, Vasco da Gama w/ Paclo Saturninho.
Arantel was a great player, scored many goals from offside position.
I saw games under floodlight in Margao.
I'm an old timer from Comba, Margao.
Visit goancauses.com to see complete team of Clube Independende de Margao in 1956.
Thanks.
Paclo
Agnelo Gomes,
USA
From: AAssoc4994@aol.com
To: goancauses@yahoogroups.com
CC: averonicaf806@hotmail.com
KUWAIT AIRWAYS SEEKS FOR MORE FLIGHTS FROM KUWAIT TO INDIA VICE VERSA
" Kuwait is a developed country in the world of today. Kuwait has its own oil reserves which is enough for another 10 decades to maintain.
The undersigned is living and working in this country for the last 3 decades and that too in shipping and airline industry. This is the first time I came across in last 28 years that Kuwait Airways is threatening AIR-INDIA and INDIAN AIRLINES during summer peak hoildays season in demand of more flights to India which is rediculus and shameful.
Kuwait Airways should have raised this issue during off-season and serve notices to Air India and Indian Airlines atleast 6 months in advance. During this 6 months if both countries fail to solve the contentious issue amicably then all our Indian summer passengers could have grace period to choose their airlines of choice for their holidays without any inconvience caused to them.
Kuwait Airways have 30 flights a week to India. In addition, Jazeera Airways is flying daily to India and whatelse they want more? Air India and Indian Airlines don't have a daily flight from India to Kuwait, instead opened the doors to Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways to operate their daily flights to India.
Out of the 600,000 Indians in Kuwait a major share of air-traffic have been controlled by Kuwait Airways compared to any other airlines in the world.
All the world dailies are having headlines of Kuwait Airways,Air-India, Indian Airlines and all its passengers who have booked their tickets for July,2007 and who have already travelled to India.
In my opinion Government of Kuwait should intervene and solve the issue as fast as possible so that our people can travel as per their bookings made earlier without any further disturbances.
Kuwait and India have excellant bilaterial relationship for the last 5 decades and this relation should not be jeopardise by Kuwait Airways alone.
Let us join hands and work for a better tomorrow.
Carmo Santos
In Service of Indian Commuinity in Kuwait.
Dated: 27th June, 2007
Tel: 00965-9047401
Santos Carmo carmosan50@hotmail.com
The undersigned is living and working in this country for the last 3 decades and that too in shipping and airline industry. This is the first time I came across in last 28 years that Kuwait Airways is threatening AIR-INDIA and INDIAN AIRLINES during summer peak hoildays season in demand of more flights to India which is rediculus and shameful.
Kuwait Airways should have raised this issue during off-season and serve notices to Air India and Indian Airlines atleast 6 months in advance. During this 6 months if both countries fail to solve the contentious issue amicably then all our Indian summer passengers could have grace period to choose their airlines of choice for their holidays without any inconvience caused to them.
Kuwait Airways have 30 flights a week to India. In addition, Jazeera Airways is flying daily to India and whatelse they want more? Air India and Indian Airlines don't have a daily flight from India to Kuwait, instead opened the doors to Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways to operate their daily flights to India.
Out of the 600,000 Indians in Kuwait a major share of air-traffic have been controlled by Kuwait Airways compared to any other airlines in the world.
All the world dailies are having headlines of Kuwait Airways,Air-India, Indian Airlines and all its passengers who have booked their tickets for July,2007 and who have already travelled to India.
In my opinion Government of Kuwait should intervene and solve the issue as fast as possible so that our people can travel as per their bookings made earlier without any further disturbances.
Kuwait and India have excellant bilaterial relationship for the last 5 decades and this relation should not be jeopardise by Kuwait Airways alone.
Let us join hands and work for a better tomorrow.
Carmo Santos
In Service of Indian Commuinity in Kuwait.
Dated: 27th June, 2007
Tel: 00965-9047401
Santos Carmo carmosan50@hotmail.com
Re:OPHELIA CABRAL GOOFED? OR KALA ACADEMY?,
Dear Veronica Bab,
In your article OPHELIA CABRAL GOOFED? OR KALA ACADEMY?, you failed to mention that Kuwait - Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstha ( KGTS ) also felicitated and honoured Bai Ophelia Cabral.
Mog Assum di.
Laurie Miranda
"Laurie M." laurencemiranda@hotmail.com
Kuwait
In your article OPHELIA CABRAL GOOFED? OR KALA ACADEMY?, you failed to mention that Kuwait - Goa Tiatristanchi Sonvstha ( KGTS ) also felicitated and honoured Bai Ophelia Cabral.
Mog Assum di.
Laurie Miranda
"Laurie M." laurencemiranda@hotmail.com
Kuwait
June 27, 2007
GOAN FOOTBAL - IN GOA & KUWAIT.
GOAN FOOTBALL – IN GOA & KUWAIT….. I.
The biggest individual sports that attracts the biggest attention of the global people is Soccer. In no other sports people participate more than in soccer. This is the only sports where more money is spent. FIFA the main governing body of soccer around the globe is engulfing in its fold more member countries than UNO. Without having any Veto Power or any atomic or hydrogen weapon in its armory, FIFA wield more power over its member states than UNO. The president of FIFA is more influential than the Chief of UNO. Once the then FIFA President Joao Havalange was invited by King Hassan of Morocco to discuss hosting of World Cup in Morocco. When Havalange went to meet the Moroccan King in his Palace at Rabat, Havalange was made to seat for a while inside the King’s parlour. Havalange got annoyed, so too his aides for making them seat for a while. Then one of the aids of Havalange uttered the following words “King Hassan of Morocco is the King of only one country Morocco but Joao Havalange is the King of all the countries in the world and as such he deserves more preferential treatment”. There is not a single country in the world where there is no soccer played. It engulfs in its fold elite as well as commoners yet it is called the game of masses.
History gives different versions of the inventors of soccer. Chinese history said that the first object similar to soccer ball in a smaller size was kicked and played in China while Italians said they are the real inventors of this game and British also claimed the invention of the game of soccer. But one thing is certain that British were responsible for the spread and development of soccer all around the globe. In Bharat it was inducted and spread by the British while in Goa Portuguese colonizers were the architects of the spread of “jogo” football in Goa. During the Portuguese regime in Goa especially in the mid fifties there were so many foot-ball teams in Goa playing so beautiful soccer, they were dominated by Portuguese players both whites and negroes. Anybody remembers Bemfica, Academica, Bicholim, Ferroviares, Goa Police? Anybody remembers the 5 Portuguese “Pakles” playing for Salgaocars in 1961? Anybody remembers the genius Arantel of Vasco? Once, Vasco's big man Parkot told us that he has not seen any player like Arantel even on TV’s worldwide coverage.
Does anybody know that Candolim Village Team in 1959 when it was promoted to Primeira Divisao, it had the strength of 4 top Portuguese Pakle players from Aguada? And what was their calibre? They were just superb. When they were practicing at our village football ground, I was many times acting as their Ballboy and thereby watching them minutely. Many of the Portuguese players were inspirations for our Goan players. It is they who inspired Goan youth to play beautiful soccer. We Goans must be grateful to them. Soon after the exit of Portuguese from Goa, our Goa team first time participated in the Indian National Santosh Trophy Soccer Tournament held in Madras where Goa thru chicanery of Bengalis was forced to bow down in the penultimate stage. National Press sensing injustice done to Goa voiced its opinion saying “Goans thought other Indians how to play constructive and beautiful soccer. If Indian National Team wants to improve its rating then it must send its National team to Goa to gain finer points in soccer”.
At that time Goa had great players in its fold namely, as goalies: Benjinho of Railways – Pompeii & Peter Gomes of Salgaocars; in the backline rocky type players Menino Figueredo and Caetano Papa both of Salgaocars; in the midfield Candu Abreu who made mockery of great Goan Olympian Neville D’Souza at Mapusa Duler ground in 1960 when Neville came to Goa with Bombay Goans outfit to play some friendlies by checking every move of Nevile; in the forward line Vasco’s Andrew and Salgaocars Eustaquio were invincible. Where else we can get now players like defender Menino Figueredo, midfielder Candu Abreu and forwards Andrew and Eustaqio? Eustaquio had the biggest distinction of scoring goals direct from Corner kicks. He was from Calangute. And what about goalie Benjinho? Goa is yet to produce such a genius whose physical appearance looked like that of Germany’s Oliver Kahn. Because they were all giants they could get a chance to represent Goa during Portuguese time inspite of stiff competition from Portuguese Pakle’s and Negroes. My late brother Jose Marie once was selected to play for Bardez selection in the midst of stiff competition from Pakles and Negroes mainly because of his exceptional telent in the aerial duels. I am yet to see in Goa who could emulate his heading prowess. For corner kicks he would come running from nowhere and jump to any height and with mathematical precision powerfully headthe ball into the goal. Once at Duler ground, one Paklo goalkeeper out of desperation, instead of punching the ball for safety punched his head. My other brother Cheddo got a chance to play for Goa Police Soccer Team during Portuguese time inspite of stiff competition from Pakles and Negroes only because of his exceptionally high proficiency in scoring goals from any angle with both the legs with equal ease. If I am not mistaken, during those days he was one of the rear Goans to play along with Portuguese Pakles and Khapris.
When Bemfica from Portugal and Lourenco Marques from Mozambique visited Goa, only the extremely good Goan players got chance in the midst of very stiff competition from Portuguese players to represent Goa. Goan Benjinho was an automatic choice under Goa’s bar. That was the strength of our Goan brother Benjinho. If it is now, he would without any hesitation automatically fit into India XI. They were naturally gifted players. They were not trained by coaches graduated from Patiala. Soccer coaches are not produced at Patiala, only PT Masters are produced there. Goan players had natural gift of playing artistic and great soccer. The traditional Goan village based sportsmen had no need to do special physical exercises, their family businesses, traditional family trades and traditional family work was enough to gain physical fitness. For a traditional “Nistekar” running on the beach day and night after his “Rampon” and “Vogo”, for a “Paddai-i” and a “Render” climbing on hundreds of “Madd” daily, for a “Xetkar” and “Zotkar” who is toiling day and night in the fields with his “Zoth – Kudou & Forem” they do not need especial exercises to maintain physical fitness. And I know the fitness of such people because I played with them and ran with them in Athletics. Inspite of my doing daily morning and evening practices during my hey days as sportsman, on the Beach and on the Mountains still I was unable to match with their physical fitness.
I started my soccer career at an early age but faded also at an early age due to chronic injury of getting “muscle pull”. More than soccer, I was best in athletics being Individual Champion of Goa at All Goa School level, Junior Individual Champion at All Goa level and Arpora School Champion. My individual items were running namely 100 mtrs, 200, 400 mtrs. and 800 mtrs. at all Goa level plus 2 Relays 100 x 4 and 400 x 4. I had the distinction of being unchallengeable in my items and 100 mtres was my most favourite, in it I even created a record for Goa being the fastest runner of Goa. I don’t know if anybody shattered it after me. When I first time represented Candolim Village team in soccer, I was just a 13 year old boy having a physique of 19 year old muscular man. When I first played for my village team that year our village team had gigantic players with name and fame all around Goa. Two of them were my elder brothers Cheddo and the late Jose Marie, it was in that year that we became Bardez Champion at Mapusa Duler Ground. When I first played at Duler Ground, many of my colleagues from Candolim had not even seen Mapusa football ground. During Portuguese time Duler ground had its unique importance. Every visiting team used to play first match there. Playing on Duler Ground during those days was like getting a feeling that you played at Wembly in England or Maracana in Brazil. At a very early age I acquired this feeling which gave me a strong psychological booster to play on any ground anywhere in Goa and India without any inferiority complex.
The other important thing is this that I had great distinction to play soccer against those great Goan soccer stalwarts as indicated above, namely Andrew of Vasco, Eustaquio, Candu Abreu and Menino Figueredo of Salgaocars, Benjinho of Railways and many other greats. Incidentally when they were on peak of their form or receding I was just starting my career for Sesa Goa Football Team in the second division before promoting into Senior division. Earlier I represented Chowgule’s soccer team in the second division and from there Sesa Goa picked me up. For some years I was captaining the then great Arpora School soccer team and later on of St. Xaviers College, Mapusa. If Goa is having a solid base of constructive and attractive soccer then the credit must go to the Portuguese regime, Portuguese Pakles and Portuguese Negroes. I am yet to see anywhere in the world another player, a forward, like the one of Mapusa Bemfica’s Negro during the last days of Portuguese era in Goa. Secondly if Goa is having a strong base of artistic and competitive soccer at All India level now, then the credit must also go for the yesteryears Goan foot-ballers who laid a very good base for others and created a very good tradition for the new generations to emulate. The yesteryears footballers played very impressive soccer purely for the love of foot-ball and not for the love and greed for money.
During their days the yesteryears players were hardly getting any remuneration to play soccer, some of them spending money from their own pockets. The only benefits for some of them were the facility of jobs and that too not of very high salary. None of the present days footballers who earn 10, 15, 20 lakhs of rupees in Goa per season can come closer to those days great players in sheer artistry of soccer. Today Goan players are not playing big football but today big money is playing football in Goa. In fact Goa is yet to produce another Benjinho in the goal, Goa is yet to produce another Menino Figueredo in the backline, Goa is yet to produce another Candu Abreu in the midfield and Goa is yet to produce another Andrew in the forwardline. Anybody remembers them and anybody is interested in doing anything to keep their memory alive while they are living? Or I myself alone barking from Kuwait in praise of them? And who can ever forget the magnificent role played by those days’ Goan soccer administrators who gave their life for the promotion and upliftment of Goan soccer by applying smooth and clean administration? Anybody is remembering Dr. Gustavo Monteiro from Candolim, the first Goan President of GFA? Anybody is remembering Dr. Remizio Pinto from Caranzalem who like a mad man gave his life for GFA and Goan soccer? They were the real soccer administrators who worked tirelessly without getting reciprocal financial compensation. Is there anyone in our midst to keep their memory alive by instituting something in their names?
To be concluded.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
The biggest individual sports that attracts the biggest attention of the global people is Soccer. In no other sports people participate more than in soccer. This is the only sports where more money is spent. FIFA the main governing body of soccer around the globe is engulfing in its fold more member countries than UNO. Without having any Veto Power or any atomic or hydrogen weapon in its armory, FIFA wield more power over its member states than UNO. The president of FIFA is more influential than the Chief of UNO. Once the then FIFA President Joao Havalange was invited by King Hassan of Morocco to discuss hosting of World Cup in Morocco. When Havalange went to meet the Moroccan King in his Palace at Rabat, Havalange was made to seat for a while inside the King’s parlour. Havalange got annoyed, so too his aides for making them seat for a while. Then one of the aids of Havalange uttered the following words “King Hassan of Morocco is the King of only one country Morocco but Joao Havalange is the King of all the countries in the world and as such he deserves more preferential treatment”. There is not a single country in the world where there is no soccer played. It engulfs in its fold elite as well as commoners yet it is called the game of masses.
History gives different versions of the inventors of soccer. Chinese history said that the first object similar to soccer ball in a smaller size was kicked and played in China while Italians said they are the real inventors of this game and British also claimed the invention of the game of soccer. But one thing is certain that British were responsible for the spread and development of soccer all around the globe. In Bharat it was inducted and spread by the British while in Goa Portuguese colonizers were the architects of the spread of “jogo” football in Goa. During the Portuguese regime in Goa especially in the mid fifties there were so many foot-ball teams in Goa playing so beautiful soccer, they were dominated by Portuguese players both whites and negroes. Anybody remembers Bemfica, Academica, Bicholim, Ferroviares, Goa Police? Anybody remembers the 5 Portuguese “Pakles” playing for Salgaocars in 1961? Anybody remembers the genius Arantel of Vasco? Once, Vasco's big man Parkot told us that he has not seen any player like Arantel even on TV’s worldwide coverage.
Does anybody know that Candolim Village Team in 1959 when it was promoted to Primeira Divisao, it had the strength of 4 top Portuguese Pakle players from Aguada? And what was their calibre? They were just superb. When they were practicing at our village football ground, I was many times acting as their Ballboy and thereby watching them minutely. Many of the Portuguese players were inspirations for our Goan players. It is they who inspired Goan youth to play beautiful soccer. We Goans must be grateful to them. Soon after the exit of Portuguese from Goa, our Goa team first time participated in the Indian National Santosh Trophy Soccer Tournament held in Madras where Goa thru chicanery of Bengalis was forced to bow down in the penultimate stage. National Press sensing injustice done to Goa voiced its opinion saying “Goans thought other Indians how to play constructive and beautiful soccer. If Indian National Team wants to improve its rating then it must send its National team to Goa to gain finer points in soccer”.
At that time Goa had great players in its fold namely, as goalies: Benjinho of Railways – Pompeii & Peter Gomes of Salgaocars; in the backline rocky type players Menino Figueredo and Caetano Papa both of Salgaocars; in the midfield Candu Abreu who made mockery of great Goan Olympian Neville D’Souza at Mapusa Duler ground in 1960 when Neville came to Goa with Bombay Goans outfit to play some friendlies by checking every move of Nevile; in the forward line Vasco’s Andrew and Salgaocars Eustaquio were invincible. Where else we can get now players like defender Menino Figueredo, midfielder Candu Abreu and forwards Andrew and Eustaqio? Eustaquio had the biggest distinction of scoring goals direct from Corner kicks. He was from Calangute. And what about goalie Benjinho? Goa is yet to produce such a genius whose physical appearance looked like that of Germany’s Oliver Kahn. Because they were all giants they could get a chance to represent Goa during Portuguese time inspite of stiff competition from Portuguese Pakle’s and Negroes. My late brother Jose Marie once was selected to play for Bardez selection in the midst of stiff competition from Pakles and Negroes mainly because of his exceptional telent in the aerial duels. I am yet to see in Goa who could emulate his heading prowess. For corner kicks he would come running from nowhere and jump to any height and with mathematical precision powerfully headthe ball into the goal. Once at Duler ground, one Paklo goalkeeper out of desperation, instead of punching the ball for safety punched his head. My other brother Cheddo got a chance to play for Goa Police Soccer Team during Portuguese time inspite of stiff competition from Pakles and Negroes only because of his exceptionally high proficiency in scoring goals from any angle with both the legs with equal ease. If I am not mistaken, during those days he was one of the rear Goans to play along with Portuguese Pakles and Khapris.
When Bemfica from Portugal and Lourenco Marques from Mozambique visited Goa, only the extremely good Goan players got chance in the midst of very stiff competition from Portuguese players to represent Goa. Goan Benjinho was an automatic choice under Goa’s bar. That was the strength of our Goan brother Benjinho. If it is now, he would without any hesitation automatically fit into India XI. They were naturally gifted players. They were not trained by coaches graduated from Patiala. Soccer coaches are not produced at Patiala, only PT Masters are produced there. Goan players had natural gift of playing artistic and great soccer. The traditional Goan village based sportsmen had no need to do special physical exercises, their family businesses, traditional family trades and traditional family work was enough to gain physical fitness. For a traditional “Nistekar” running on the beach day and night after his “Rampon” and “Vogo”, for a “Paddai-i” and a “Render” climbing on hundreds of “Madd” daily, for a “Xetkar” and “Zotkar” who is toiling day and night in the fields with his “Zoth – Kudou & Forem” they do not need especial exercises to maintain physical fitness. And I know the fitness of such people because I played with them and ran with them in Athletics. Inspite of my doing daily morning and evening practices during my hey days as sportsman, on the Beach and on the Mountains still I was unable to match with their physical fitness.
I started my soccer career at an early age but faded also at an early age due to chronic injury of getting “muscle pull”. More than soccer, I was best in athletics being Individual Champion of Goa at All Goa School level, Junior Individual Champion at All Goa level and Arpora School Champion. My individual items were running namely 100 mtrs, 200, 400 mtrs. and 800 mtrs. at all Goa level plus 2 Relays 100 x 4 and 400 x 4. I had the distinction of being unchallengeable in my items and 100 mtres was my most favourite, in it I even created a record for Goa being the fastest runner of Goa. I don’t know if anybody shattered it after me. When I first time represented Candolim Village team in soccer, I was just a 13 year old boy having a physique of 19 year old muscular man. When I first played for my village team that year our village team had gigantic players with name and fame all around Goa. Two of them were my elder brothers Cheddo and the late Jose Marie, it was in that year that we became Bardez Champion at Mapusa Duler Ground. When I first played at Duler Ground, many of my colleagues from Candolim had not even seen Mapusa football ground. During Portuguese time Duler ground had its unique importance. Every visiting team used to play first match there. Playing on Duler Ground during those days was like getting a feeling that you played at Wembly in England or Maracana in Brazil. At a very early age I acquired this feeling which gave me a strong psychological booster to play on any ground anywhere in Goa and India without any inferiority complex.
The other important thing is this that I had great distinction to play soccer against those great Goan soccer stalwarts as indicated above, namely Andrew of Vasco, Eustaquio, Candu Abreu and Menino Figueredo of Salgaocars, Benjinho of Railways and many other greats. Incidentally when they were on peak of their form or receding I was just starting my career for Sesa Goa Football Team in the second division before promoting into Senior division. Earlier I represented Chowgule’s soccer team in the second division and from there Sesa Goa picked me up. For some years I was captaining the then great Arpora School soccer team and later on of St. Xaviers College, Mapusa. If Goa is having a solid base of constructive and attractive soccer then the credit must go to the Portuguese regime, Portuguese Pakles and Portuguese Negroes. I am yet to see anywhere in the world another player, a forward, like the one of Mapusa Bemfica’s Negro during the last days of Portuguese era in Goa. Secondly if Goa is having a strong base of artistic and competitive soccer at All India level now, then the credit must also go for the yesteryears Goan foot-ballers who laid a very good base for others and created a very good tradition for the new generations to emulate. The yesteryears footballers played very impressive soccer purely for the love of foot-ball and not for the love and greed for money.
During their days the yesteryears players were hardly getting any remuneration to play soccer, some of them spending money from their own pockets. The only benefits for some of them were the facility of jobs and that too not of very high salary. None of the present days footballers who earn 10, 15, 20 lakhs of rupees in Goa per season can come closer to those days great players in sheer artistry of soccer. Today Goan players are not playing big football but today big money is playing football in Goa. In fact Goa is yet to produce another Benjinho in the goal, Goa is yet to produce another Menino Figueredo in the backline, Goa is yet to produce another Candu Abreu in the midfield and Goa is yet to produce another Andrew in the forwardline. Anybody remembers them and anybody is interested in doing anything to keep their memory alive while they are living? Or I myself alone barking from Kuwait in praise of them? And who can ever forget the magnificent role played by those days’ Goan soccer administrators who gave their life for the promotion and upliftment of Goan soccer by applying smooth and clean administration? Anybody is remembering Dr. Gustavo Monteiro from Candolim, the first Goan President of GFA? Anybody is remembering Dr. Remizio Pinto from Caranzalem who like a mad man gave his life for GFA and Goan soccer? They were the real soccer administrators who worked tirelessly without getting reciprocal financial compensation. Is there anyone in our midst to keep their memory alive by instituting something in their names?
To be concluded.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 26, 2007
OPHELIA CABRAL GOOFED? OR KALA ACADEMY?
OPHELIA CABRAL GOOFED? OR KALA ACADEMY?
On Tuesday, 17th April 2007, at 6.00 p.m., Kala Academy Goa, organized TIATR DAY CELEBRATION at Dinananth Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Campal, Panji, Goa. Since 1996 Kala Academy celebrates Tiatr Day annually with pomp and during this celebration Kala Academy felicitates few selected Tiatrists for their lifetime contribution in the field of Tiatr. This year on 17th April, The Kala Academy felicitated 7 senior Tiatrists for their outstanding contribution to the development of Tiatro.
The seven Tiatrists are Pascoal A. Fernandes from Morjim, John Gomes (Kokoy) from Cuncolim, Julio Rod (Jr. Rod) from Cortalim, Ophelia Cabral D’Souza from Porvorim, Cyriaco Dias from Ambora, Brazinho Soares from Kalapura and Rico Rod from Chinchinnim.
My point of writing these few lines is to straighten something on Ophelia which is either intentionally bent by Kala Academy or by Ophelia herself though I have my conviction that Ophelia will not commit such a goof. During the felicitation celebration one small booklet was published by Kala Academy where brief descriptions of all the seven artistes were given. While describing Ophelia’s contribution, it is written there that she toured Bahrain, Beirut and Dubai and received felicitations and awards from different organisations. Unfortunately the name of Kuwait where she was felicitated by Kuwait Goans was found totally missing while describing her accolades. Was it done intentionally by Kala Academy? Or was it done on the advice of Ophelia Cabral because she wanted to keep clouded the felicitation of Kuwaitkars? I cannot believe that Ophelia was responsible for omitting Kuwait’s name but then she should have raised her voice loudly and forcefully against the decision of omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars and if necessary as a mark of protest she should have rejected the felicitation given to her by Kala Academy as a mark of protest. By accepting the felicitation minus mentioning the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars’ felicitation in her brief in the leaflet issued by Kala Academy she proved that she was also a party to the wrong decision taken by Kala Academy on omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars from where and from whom she received Honours and felicitation and above all, in her own words, enermous love and affection as never received anywhere before in her entire lifetime.
Ophelia was brought to Kuwait by Kuwaitkars last year and was felicitated in a specially organized function by Goan and Konkani Association – “Konkani Heritage Kuwait”. It was a grand felicitation organized in one of the City Hotels attended by prominent Goan and other Konkani people residing in Kuwait. Her actress daughter Babli was also present there at that time, so too one of the renowned senior Tiatrists H. Briton. During her thanking speech after receiving the Commemorative Plaque – A Memento – she said with loud voice and with pride that “this is the greatest moment for me in my lifetime because what Goa Government and others could not do my Kuwaitkars “bhav” have done for me and I feel proud of them”. The video recording of this special function done in her honour was spread all over the world and the news briefing of this event was highlighted not only in the Kuwaiti newspapers but also in Goa. Besides, thru internet the news of this felicitation was spread all around the Goan world.
When this is the case, why it was missed to highlight in Kala Academy’s Booklet? It must also be noted that much before Ophelia could tour Bahrain and Dubai, she was brought to Kuwait along with her late husband Bab Peter and the then their tiny daughter Babli about 20 years back too to participate in the same director’s - Rosary Ferns’ – Tiatro.
As a mark of protest I am sending copies of this write up to Kala Academy and to Ophelia Cabral too by using their email addresses.
Also, as a mark of protest against Kala Academy for omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars’ felicitation in its booklet, if Ophelia Cabral is innocent on this issue, Ophelia Cabral must reject this felicitation and return to Kala Academy what has been awarded to her on that day, as a mark of protest. To do this is not something big thing because what she got from Kala Academy is not a Nobel Prize nor a Knighthood. Even Knighthood was rejected and returned back by Rabindranath Tagore on the advice of Mahatmah Gandhi when British goofed against Indians.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
On Tuesday, 17th April 2007, at 6.00 p.m., Kala Academy Goa, organized TIATR DAY CELEBRATION at Dinananth Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Campal, Panji, Goa. Since 1996 Kala Academy celebrates Tiatr Day annually with pomp and during this celebration Kala Academy felicitates few selected Tiatrists for their lifetime contribution in the field of Tiatr. This year on 17th April, The Kala Academy felicitated 7 senior Tiatrists for their outstanding contribution to the development of Tiatro.
The seven Tiatrists are Pascoal A. Fernandes from Morjim, John Gomes (Kokoy) from Cuncolim, Julio Rod (Jr. Rod) from Cortalim, Ophelia Cabral D’Souza from Porvorim, Cyriaco Dias from Ambora, Brazinho Soares from Kalapura and Rico Rod from Chinchinnim.
My point of writing these few lines is to straighten something on Ophelia which is either intentionally bent by Kala Academy or by Ophelia herself though I have my conviction that Ophelia will not commit such a goof. During the felicitation celebration one small booklet was published by Kala Academy where brief descriptions of all the seven artistes were given. While describing Ophelia’s contribution, it is written there that she toured Bahrain, Beirut and Dubai and received felicitations and awards from different organisations. Unfortunately the name of Kuwait where she was felicitated by Kuwait Goans was found totally missing while describing her accolades. Was it done intentionally by Kala Academy? Or was it done on the advice of Ophelia Cabral because she wanted to keep clouded the felicitation of Kuwaitkars? I cannot believe that Ophelia was responsible for omitting Kuwait’s name but then she should have raised her voice loudly and forcefully against the decision of omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars and if necessary as a mark of protest she should have rejected the felicitation given to her by Kala Academy as a mark of protest. By accepting the felicitation minus mentioning the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars’ felicitation in her brief in the leaflet issued by Kala Academy she proved that she was also a party to the wrong decision taken by Kala Academy on omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars from where and from whom she received Honours and felicitation and above all, in her own words, enermous love and affection as never received anywhere before in her entire lifetime.
Ophelia was brought to Kuwait by Kuwaitkars last year and was felicitated in a specially organized function by Goan and Konkani Association – “Konkani Heritage Kuwait”. It was a grand felicitation organized in one of the City Hotels attended by prominent Goan and other Konkani people residing in Kuwait. Her actress daughter Babli was also present there at that time, so too one of the renowned senior Tiatrists H. Briton. During her thanking speech after receiving the Commemorative Plaque – A Memento – she said with loud voice and with pride that “this is the greatest moment for me in my lifetime because what Goa Government and others could not do my Kuwaitkars “bhav” have done for me and I feel proud of them”. The video recording of this special function done in her honour was spread all over the world and the news briefing of this event was highlighted not only in the Kuwaiti newspapers but also in Goa. Besides, thru internet the news of this felicitation was spread all around the Goan world.
When this is the case, why it was missed to highlight in Kala Academy’s Booklet? It must also be noted that much before Ophelia could tour Bahrain and Dubai, she was brought to Kuwait along with her late husband Bab Peter and the then their tiny daughter Babli about 20 years back too to participate in the same director’s - Rosary Ferns’ – Tiatro.
As a mark of protest I am sending copies of this write up to Kala Academy and to Ophelia Cabral too by using their email addresses.
Also, as a mark of protest against Kala Academy for omitting the name of Kuwait and Kuwaitkars’ felicitation in its booklet, if Ophelia Cabral is innocent on this issue, Ophelia Cabral must reject this felicitation and return to Kala Academy what has been awarded to her on that day, as a mark of protest. To do this is not something big thing because what she got from Kala Academy is not a Nobel Prize nor a Knighthood. Even Knighthood was rejected and returned back by Rabindranath Tagore on the advice of Mahatmah Gandhi when British goofed against Indians.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 25, 2007
STATUS OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA.
STATUS OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA.
Within a month the greatest democracy in the world, India will elect its President. This post is not only a ceremonial but also a very crucial for the country. The President of India if he wants he can change the entire outlook of India and convert India to his own choice ignoring all advices and counter advices of the Cabinet because his approval signature is all that matters. Though he can challenge the Prime Minister and his Cabinet and even Musharrafise the country if he acts arrogant, yet no President in the short history of India allowed power to corrupt him though earlier one or two Presidents came closer to wield their authority by not easily yielding to the Cabinet decisions. Being the first citizen of the country, the President of India enjoys highest respect and topmost dignity. For this reason, the person who occupies this position should be of highest stature in the country. It is not only the stature of the President that makes his position dignified but even his Palace, that is, Rastrapati Bhavan that he resides is of highest stature not only in India but anywhere in the World. It is the biggest residence of any President anywhere in the world. It was built in such a way that no steel was used in its construction. With more than 300 Rooms it is staffed by around 10000 persons. It was built 75 years back with an expenditure of 1.4 Crores of Indian Rupees but ironically now it costs the Exchequer more than that amount every month itself for its maintainance.
The first Indian to occupy this huge and luxurious edifice was C. Rajagopalchari as the first and last Indian Governor General and having found this monumental building too rich and too big for the newly independent poor country India, he volunteered to live in it with lot of austerity measures including the discarding of very luxurious Ashoka Suit which was very majestically occupied by the British Viceroys during the colonial rule. Because of its too rich décor, too luxurious and too expensive to maintain Gandhiji suggested to convert this Rastrapati Bhavan into a Museum and instead let Indian President live in a modest residence befitting the normal living standard of an average Indian. But feudal Nehru and his henchmen refused to surrender. For this reason as a dejected man, before his death, Gandhiji uttered this statement “Now this old man - referring to himself - has no value for his views”.
India is a great country since time immemorial and its greatness sustained even after its independence. Its greatness lies not only in its sheer size but also in its great history, culture, tradition and above all unity in the midst of diversity. It has given to this planet great religions namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikkism and Jainism. It has produced the great game of Chess and great Epics in Ramayana and Mahabharata. It has given birth to two great men of this world namely Rabindranath Tagore and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who later on became Mahatma.
After its independence, India gave to its land successively three great educationists and philosopher presidents, all having Doctorates to their credit. No nation in the world had such a great privilege in having such stalwart presidents. One of them, Dr. Radakrishnan was one of the greatest philosophers of this planet and till his death, as informed, was the second greatest philosopher of last century after Betrand Russel. In 1964 Pope Paul VI visited Bombay for Eucharistic Congress and when the President of India Dr. Radhakrishnan went to welcome him first along with Goan Cardinal Valerian Gracias at St. Cruz Airport, His Holiness with all joy on his smiling face said “It was my biggest ambition to meet you. I am happy finally to fulfill my ambition. You are a great Philosopher of this great ancient philosophical country, India”.
In the initial stages the highest status of India’s Presidency was maintained by electing men of highest stature for this position. Even when Dr. Zakir Hussein, the first Muslim President of India was elected there was hue and cry before his election from pro-Hindu lobby against Dr. Zakir Hussein but the then secular Congress Party stood firm and got him elected not only because of Secular attitude of Congress but also because of the high stature of Dr. Zakir Hussein. Later on Indira Gandhi brought disrepute to the position of President of India by inducting on to this chair people with no stature at all. Tin pot politicians like Zail Singh, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed and Sanjivaya Reddy were too small men and too corrupt politicians to occupy the chairs once occupied by their predecessors of highest stature. The greatness of this post lies in those apolitical and upright Indians whose leanings are not on any particular political party. Those persons having involved in political games earlier in their life will surely bring disrepute to the presidency of India, as Zail Singh and Fakruddin Ali Ahmed have done by simply saying “Yes” to Madam Indira Gandhi. If Zail Singh was not a Yes man of Indira Gandhi he would have stopped Indira Gandhi from sending troops to storm the Golden Temple in Amristar to liquidate Bindranwale and of his ilk there leading to the chaos in India in general and amidst Sikh community all over the world in particular. Storming of Golden Temple was an unwarranted act. It was purely a political mischief played by Indira Gandhi for which she had to pay a very heavy price. It was not her blood alone that was shed but the whole India bled profusely leading to chaotic situation all over India.
The current President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam is a great Atomic Scientist and also a great scholar. During his current tenure he brought respect, dignity and honour to India befitting his position. His highest credentials automatically bestow great stature on to his Presidency. Being a Muslim, his elevation to the Presidency of India for the second permissible term should have been facilitated by the Congress Party. The precedent for going for the second term was already created earlier by Dr. Rajendra Prasad even against the wishes of Nehru but Congress Party then had stalwarts in its ranks to over rule Nehru’s brute might. Now the Congress Party under the leadership of naturalized citizen of India, Sonia Gandhi, an Italian daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi, who is ignorant of Indian culture, history, tradition and ethos is opposing the re-election of Muslim Dr. Kalam. By opposing his re-election, she is hurting the sentiments of Muslim community. By supporting him, Sonia and her Congress Party would have gained much sympathies and goodwill not only of Muslims but also of all the minorities in India and men of goodwill all around the world. Along with her a few other smaller parties are also opposing Dr. Kalam including the shame of Indian politics Laloo Prasad Yadav. The Congress backed nominee Mrs. Prathibha Patil who is an unknown entity at all India level is a minnow to occupy the great chair of Indian President. Dr. Kalam is a world renowned personality while Mrs. Patil is like an ant in front of an Elephant. Such ants will, if elected, not only lower the position of Indian President but also lower the stature of India especially in the 21st century when India needs great leaders to tackle and discuss great issues with great world leaders.
I take no pleasure in having a female Mrs. Patil as President of India who is not meant for this post. Empowering women is a good decision but not at the cost of quality. The “pallu” of Prabhitha’s Silk Saree is too modest, it has no stature of Indira Gandhi’s pallu. Under the pallu of Indira Gandhi’s Saree there was something visible in greatness while nobody knows “Mrs. Patil’s Pallu ke piche kya hai”.
On behalf of all the like minded Indians inside and outside India I protest the decision of Congress Party and its backers to oppose re-election of Dr. Abdul Kalam who being a very decent man sensing dirty politics in his re-election opted out of Presidential race thereby succumbing to the desires of Sonia Gandhi. He should have challenged his detractors irrespective of the outcome. But decent people are always shy of giving challenge. For this reason they are not meant for dirty Indian political games.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Within a month the greatest democracy in the world, India will elect its President. This post is not only a ceremonial but also a very crucial for the country. The President of India if he wants he can change the entire outlook of India and convert India to his own choice ignoring all advices and counter advices of the Cabinet because his approval signature is all that matters. Though he can challenge the Prime Minister and his Cabinet and even Musharrafise the country if he acts arrogant, yet no President in the short history of India allowed power to corrupt him though earlier one or two Presidents came closer to wield their authority by not easily yielding to the Cabinet decisions. Being the first citizen of the country, the President of India enjoys highest respect and topmost dignity. For this reason, the person who occupies this position should be of highest stature in the country. It is not only the stature of the President that makes his position dignified but even his Palace, that is, Rastrapati Bhavan that he resides is of highest stature not only in India but anywhere in the World. It is the biggest residence of any President anywhere in the world. It was built in such a way that no steel was used in its construction. With more than 300 Rooms it is staffed by around 10000 persons. It was built 75 years back with an expenditure of 1.4 Crores of Indian Rupees but ironically now it costs the Exchequer more than that amount every month itself for its maintainance.
The first Indian to occupy this huge and luxurious edifice was C. Rajagopalchari as the first and last Indian Governor General and having found this monumental building too rich and too big for the newly independent poor country India, he volunteered to live in it with lot of austerity measures including the discarding of very luxurious Ashoka Suit which was very majestically occupied by the British Viceroys during the colonial rule. Because of its too rich décor, too luxurious and too expensive to maintain Gandhiji suggested to convert this Rastrapati Bhavan into a Museum and instead let Indian President live in a modest residence befitting the normal living standard of an average Indian. But feudal Nehru and his henchmen refused to surrender. For this reason as a dejected man, before his death, Gandhiji uttered this statement “Now this old man - referring to himself - has no value for his views”.
India is a great country since time immemorial and its greatness sustained even after its independence. Its greatness lies not only in its sheer size but also in its great history, culture, tradition and above all unity in the midst of diversity. It has given to this planet great religions namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikkism and Jainism. It has produced the great game of Chess and great Epics in Ramayana and Mahabharata. It has given birth to two great men of this world namely Rabindranath Tagore and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who later on became Mahatma.
After its independence, India gave to its land successively three great educationists and philosopher presidents, all having Doctorates to their credit. No nation in the world had such a great privilege in having such stalwart presidents. One of them, Dr. Radakrishnan was one of the greatest philosophers of this planet and till his death, as informed, was the second greatest philosopher of last century after Betrand Russel. In 1964 Pope Paul VI visited Bombay for Eucharistic Congress and when the President of India Dr. Radhakrishnan went to welcome him first along with Goan Cardinal Valerian Gracias at St. Cruz Airport, His Holiness with all joy on his smiling face said “It was my biggest ambition to meet you. I am happy finally to fulfill my ambition. You are a great Philosopher of this great ancient philosophical country, India”.
In the initial stages the highest status of India’s Presidency was maintained by electing men of highest stature for this position. Even when Dr. Zakir Hussein, the first Muslim President of India was elected there was hue and cry before his election from pro-Hindu lobby against Dr. Zakir Hussein but the then secular Congress Party stood firm and got him elected not only because of Secular attitude of Congress but also because of the high stature of Dr. Zakir Hussein. Later on Indira Gandhi brought disrepute to the position of President of India by inducting on to this chair people with no stature at all. Tin pot politicians like Zail Singh, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed and Sanjivaya Reddy were too small men and too corrupt politicians to occupy the chairs once occupied by their predecessors of highest stature. The greatness of this post lies in those apolitical and upright Indians whose leanings are not on any particular political party. Those persons having involved in political games earlier in their life will surely bring disrepute to the presidency of India, as Zail Singh and Fakruddin Ali Ahmed have done by simply saying “Yes” to Madam Indira Gandhi. If Zail Singh was not a Yes man of Indira Gandhi he would have stopped Indira Gandhi from sending troops to storm the Golden Temple in Amristar to liquidate Bindranwale and of his ilk there leading to the chaos in India in general and amidst Sikh community all over the world in particular. Storming of Golden Temple was an unwarranted act. It was purely a political mischief played by Indira Gandhi for which she had to pay a very heavy price. It was not her blood alone that was shed but the whole India bled profusely leading to chaotic situation all over India.
The current President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam is a great Atomic Scientist and also a great scholar. During his current tenure he brought respect, dignity and honour to India befitting his position. His highest credentials automatically bestow great stature on to his Presidency. Being a Muslim, his elevation to the Presidency of India for the second permissible term should have been facilitated by the Congress Party. The precedent for going for the second term was already created earlier by Dr. Rajendra Prasad even against the wishes of Nehru but Congress Party then had stalwarts in its ranks to over rule Nehru’s brute might. Now the Congress Party under the leadership of naturalized citizen of India, Sonia Gandhi, an Italian daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi, who is ignorant of Indian culture, history, tradition and ethos is opposing the re-election of Muslim Dr. Kalam. By opposing his re-election, she is hurting the sentiments of Muslim community. By supporting him, Sonia and her Congress Party would have gained much sympathies and goodwill not only of Muslims but also of all the minorities in India and men of goodwill all around the world. Along with her a few other smaller parties are also opposing Dr. Kalam including the shame of Indian politics Laloo Prasad Yadav. The Congress backed nominee Mrs. Prathibha Patil who is an unknown entity at all India level is a minnow to occupy the great chair of Indian President. Dr. Kalam is a world renowned personality while Mrs. Patil is like an ant in front of an Elephant. Such ants will, if elected, not only lower the position of Indian President but also lower the stature of India especially in the 21st century when India needs great leaders to tackle and discuss great issues with great world leaders.
I take no pleasure in having a female Mrs. Patil as President of India who is not meant for this post. Empowering women is a good decision but not at the cost of quality. The “pallu” of Prabhitha’s Silk Saree is too modest, it has no stature of Indira Gandhi’s pallu. Under the pallu of Indira Gandhi’s Saree there was something visible in greatness while nobody knows “Mrs. Patil’s Pallu ke piche kya hai”.
On behalf of all the like minded Indians inside and outside India I protest the decision of Congress Party and its backers to oppose re-election of Dr. Abdul Kalam who being a very decent man sensing dirty politics in his re-election opted out of Presidential race thereby succumbing to the desires of Sonia Gandhi. He should have challenged his detractors irrespective of the outcome. But decent people are always shy of giving challenge. For this reason they are not meant for dirty Indian political games.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 23, 2007
KUMAR - The First Man Hanged in Goa
KUMAR – THE FIRST MAN HANGED IN GOAThe first person to be hanged in Goa was criminal Kumar whose real name was Peter. He was from Kerala. Soon after the exit of Portuguese from Goa most of the people who came to Goa from Kerala, Maharastra, Karnaka and other places of India were “chors”, rapists and criminals. They landed in Goa only to rob Goans even by killing Goans. During Portuguese time the discipline of Goans was very good. The Goans of those days were simple, docile and “susegad”.
Generally speaking harshness and militancy was not existing amongst those days' Goans. There were no crimes with the exception of few here and there and that too with big intervals. In one of his songs during the Silver Jubilee year of Goa’s liberation, Tiatrist M. Boyer rendered a beautiful and very philosophical song comparing the high degree of discipline of Goa from Portuguese time to lowest ebb during Bharati regime. In this song he said “the number of crimes committed in Goa during the last 25 years surpassed even those that committed during the 450 years of Portuguese rule in Goa.
Kumar came from Kerala and worked as domestic helper at Taleigao with one family comprising a husband, wife and their young daughter. The husband of the woman had gone for a business trip to outside Goa. This was somewhere in early seventies. During his absence Kumar was decided to rob the house of his master and in view of this he first killed both the wife and her young and tiny daughter. After killing them he cut their bodies into pieces and stacked them into a Trunk/Box. After returning from his business trip the husband of the wife found his daughter and wife missing. Investigation began and finally the criminal Kumar was caught who confessed to his crimes.
When news of these crimes spread all over Goa the entire Goan population was shocked. Some even called for the return of Portuguese “Serkar” to straighten the law and order situation in Goa bended by the deputationist administrators brought in by MGP from outside Goa and also Ghantti Mama Police force from Maharastra. During those days such crimes in Goa means a big thing but for outsiders, non-Goan Ghantti Police, non-Goan Government employees it was nothing big, for them it was a normal situation because in their states such crimes are routine. But for us Goans it was something abnormal and unacceptable.
In one of his Sermons, Fr. George D’Sa the bearded Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, in my village Church preached the congregation thus “God has given you two hands to work nicely and earn your daily bread. God has given you hands not to kill human beings and cut them into pieces and pack them into the box” referring to these crimes and criminal Kumar. In many places in Goa priests started highlighting on these crimes in their sermons to educate the people. Top Tiatrists composed and rendered beautiful songs on these crimes. For example, the trio of Rom-Rem-Rod was the first to sing a trio on this topic that created chills into the veins of the audience while listening to this song. In Kuwait, the then well–known Tiatrist the late Tony Call after getting full information from me on this subject, rendered a nice and interesting solo at Keefan Hall which stunned the entire hall. Here below I give the text of this song.
During the trial of Kumar at Panjim Court opposite Customs Jetty one could see a sea of humanity, all Goans very furious. They wanted to drag Kumar from the hands of Police and tear him into pieces. But Police “bondabost” was very tight. The Police sensed the fury of the public and provided top security so that nobody could know which side and thru which door Kumar was taken to the courtroom and brought back. Mob fury was gaining momentum, I was feeling the pulse of the public wrath against Kumar there. Kumar was defended by one Lawyer from Maharastra named Marathe who during the time of Portuguese rule studied in Goa and he had good knowledge of Portuguese laws in Goa.
Once during the trial, when people outside the court came to know Marathe was defending Kumar, they got so angry that all cordoned the road and area in front of the court and started demanding Kumar for them. There were slogans and shouts on the road below the court saying “Poilo Marathek dhorat re. Poilo Marathek hanga haddat re, taka xinkouya licao sarkem. Vollkott khuincho, Kumarak defend korunk zai? Haddat Marathek poilo amchesim”. Some in the crowd were holding sticks and soda bottles to kill Marathe for defending the criminal Kumar. Such was the ire of the Goans against Kumar and Marathe. But Marathe was never exposed to the public anger by the Police. He was given strong Police protection. Finally Marathe after this case died with a miserable sickness. When he died, people in Goa heaved a sigh of relief and said that he deserved this because he defended a criminal who killed innocent Goans. People used to remark that time thus “Goykaranchea xirapanim Marathe ken’neanim melo”.
When Kumar’s sentence was confirmed, our Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves appealed to the Government thru proper channel to spare the life of Kumar and spare the hanging in a sacred place of Goa since this would be the first time in the known history of Goa that a man was going to be hanged.
Shasikala of MGP was the Chief Minister of Goa as MGP Government was ruling in Goa at that time. She showed scorn at our Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves for pleading for mercy for Kumar saying “Goa’s Patriarch to get cheap publicity asked for mercy for Kumar”. This scorn was taken by the entire Catholic community of Goa as an insult to them and immediately Shashikala was kicked out not only from the ruling benches but also from the Legislative Assembly. She was the most communal and anti-Christian, worst than her father. Up to now nobody knows who killed her brother Siddarth Bandodkar. The entire case was hushed up because suspicious needle points out towards her and her late husband. In order to suppress this murder, she even joined Congress Party to get Congress Government backing. This is the quality of MGP politicians in particular and Goan politicians in general. To get their work done, they will join any party.
Since Goa did not have the facility of a gallows, special gallows was built at Aguada, down the Aguada Fort facing the sea where finally Kumar was hanged at 6.00 in the morning on 28th January 1978. When he was asked for his last wish, he donated his body for Goa Medical College to further the studies of the students there. He also requested his colleagues in the prison at Aguada not to follow his example and be calm in life because crime ultimately makes you suffer, like me.
I.
Jivit munxeachem jivit ek sopon,
Sopon, rokddench veta sompon,
Vaitt tujer etana, bhava kedinch eina re sangon,
Vaittak sodanch biye, ani chotraen jiye, borepon vompon.
Ch.
Don devan tukam payem dileat, cholonk borea rostean,
Tech porim don hath tuje vavronk boreponnan,
Torui astana, vhodd dharechi suri ghe-un hatan,
Jivim tankam marlint, katrun pettent bhorlint, mae dhuvek tea krimidoran.
II
Hi ghoddni ghodli Goyam, Taleigao 3 vorsam fattim,
Krimidorak ghollar markap, sikxea dili motti,
Advogad Marathe krimidoracho, Juizak sangon vhoddleo fotti,
Sikxea mudar korunk chinti, Juizan foddli na mitti, sangun hi sikxea mhonn chodd thoddi.
Ch.
Xekim poilech pavtt Goyam, krimidorak marlo gollar,
Attavisver Janerache Aguad sokallchea sou horar,
Amchea Bism Saiban Goyemchea, magnnem kelem sentens korunk mudar,
Serkaran aikolena, magnem kanar ghetlena, xekim choddoiloch fasar.
III
Krimidor Kumar, Peter khorem naum tachem,
Patok vollkon aplem, dukh porgottlem mottem,
Gollar choddchea adim tannem, roddon dukhachem kelem tollem,
Goa Medical Collegik, moddem tannem aplem, xekim bhettoilem
Ch.
Chint munxea korchea adim, maguir faido na korun,
Ragachea bharan chintinakaim dusreank uddounk marun,
Gath ani vingans pois dovor, sounsarant jivit sukhi sarun,
Ranvottponnan cholxi, Kumara porim morxi, gollar umkollun.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 20, 2007
GOAN CHRISTIAN CRIMINALS.
Goan Christian Criminals.
Embracing him with a fatherly hug and true to the Christian teachings, the ex Bishop of Kuwait Mong. Frances Mechallef, a Maltese by nationality, according to my information when he visited Francis Araujo in the Kuwaiti prison awaiting the execution of his death sentence, a few months before the invasion of Kuwait, asked Araujo: “Why my son you had to commit such ghastly crimes?” With tears in his eyes, Francis Araujo from St. Cruz, Ilhas Goa, replied: “Your Lordship, really I lost my temper because both the Driver and Conductor of that Bus assaulted me very badly and humiliated me miserably. Hence, I could not control my temper and thus I stabbed both the Egyptian Driver and Turkish Conductor of the Bus”. This was done almost at the spur of the moment and was not planned much in advance. On the other hand, the crime committed on his father-in-law by Ryan Fernandes with the help of his other two accomplices Francis D’Sa and Rajan Singh was well planned much in advance in Goa two years back. According to the latest reports appearing from Goa, Ryan Fernandes a young man and the main accused was sentenced to death by the South Goa Session Court on last Friday and his other two partners in the same crime D’Sa and Singh were sentenced for life in prison. What a tragedy!!
Was it essential for Ryan Fernandes to kill his father-in-law in such a cruel manner in a well executed plan? It was in a very cruel manner he killed his father-in-law Dr. Shrikant Verenkar from Vasco by first abducting him when he was taking his regular morning walk. Using venomous Cobra and deadly injections to poison Dr. Verenkar were the other cruelest and foulest methods used in this heinous murder. The reputed Doctor from Vasco having his own Hospital was killed by torturing, the mastermind of this all was his young son-in-law Ryan Fernandes. What was the reason behind this murder and what was the fault of his doctor father-in-law? Yes, his fault was that he gave shelter to his daughter and wife of Ryan when she needed help to avoid harassment from her husband.
What is wrong with our young unmarried girls so as to fall in love with any Altu-Faltu boys without analyzing their real antecedents? What is wrong with our young girls to get attracted immediately to any boy without knowing and studying him well? Are our girls become so cheap to loaf and to flirt with any person without knowing his character and background? Yes, this is happening many times in our society now. Sarika, Ryan’s wife, was a young girl coming from a reputed family background and while doing her medical studies in Kholapur she fell in love with Ryan. Not only she fell in love with Ryan but because of this love she discontinued her glorious medical studies and became an unwed mother of Ryan’s child. According to the information Ryan coaxed Sarika because he had his eyes on the wealth of her father who was a prominent and rich doctor in Vasco. Sarika should have been little clever to analyse the steps of Rayan before succumbing to his wishes. As a medical student she should have been more clever and matured intellectually to know what is good and what is bad especially when she encountered a young man who was different from her in many respects. Many of the boys are now-a-days going after girls not because they love the girls whom they are coaxing but because of the wealth, influence and power of the parents and families of the girls. Also because of the affluence of the girls in many ways. This is not genuine love but genuine hostage taking of the girls by the crook boys to extort financial and other material benefits from the girls and girls’ parents by using the girls as extortion weapons.
Most of the present day parents are suffering humiliations and crimes only because of their daughters who put their innocent parents into shame by running after any boy whose character, discipline, education, cultural, traditional, family, religious and other attributes do not match with that of the girls. It all happens because young girls are reckless in selecting their life partners. It also happens because young girls fail to recognize their dignity, integrity, character and quality leading to becoming prey to the false promises of the loafer type of boys. The Western sense of WomenLib is yet another factor for our modern day girls to take law into their own hands to decide about their future. If they take the right decision then well and good but many times they take wrong decisions as Sarika has taken by falling in love with a misfit Rayan Fernandes because of which not only the girls put their lives into problems but more than that their wrong decisions put their innocent parents into shame and problems. Our elders, teachers and mainly Priests and religious leaders should give proper guidance to our youth especially young girls on this topic. Because, when our girls laugh their parents may not laugh with them but when they cry then definitely their parents and guides will also cry. How sad it is for the parents of the girls to see their daughters suffering from the hands of their husbands when they have undergone so beautiful, peaceful and decent life as spinsters in the homes of their parents!! Which loving parents will like to see their loving daughters crying under the custody of their hard hearted and cruel husbands?
I have been watching many of our parents in this part of the world crying and suffering because of the wrong decisions taken by their children while gone for studies in the West. Many of our young boys and girls during their stay in the West fall in love with someone whose national, cultural, educational, traditional, family and religious backgrounds are totally different from theirs. Many of such unions and marriages are turned into fiasco within a very short time. These are not marriages but legal contracts to commit adultery in the name of legal sex thru short term marriages. Can we do something about it? Many of our young boys and girls when they go to the West in the name of further studies they are getting lost to their parents, birth place Goa, Goan culture, Goan tradition and Goan society. Some of them turn out to be hippies and rebels. Every son and every daughter of our parents going for studies to the West is as good as almost dead to their parents.
Coming back to Ryan’s death sentence, if it is confirmed by the High Court and if it is executed then it will be the second time in Goa death sentence to be executed. First time it was in mid seventies when one Malyali Kumar was hanged at Aguada. To hang Kumar whose real name was Peter, especial gallows was installed because that was the first time such an incident took place in Goa. During Portuguese time, maximum sentence was for life, no death by hanging. If Ryan Fernandes’ execution goes ahead, where will it be in Goa? Again will it be at Aguada with yet another gallows to be installed?
By the way, why in Goa, our “Bhangarachem” Goa, our St. Francis “Saibachem” Goa, only Christians in big number commit deadly crimes? Why in our dearest Goa, only Christians are become gangsters, extortionists, robbers, rapists and rowdies in greater number? Where our discipline went wrong? Are our parents responsible for this lapse in their children? Are our community leaders failed in doing their proper duties in guiding our youth in right direction? Or our Church leaders and Priests failed us Christian community? While dying, the great Goan intellectual Fr. Mendonca the then Principal of St. Joseph’s High School Arpora uttered these words to his Vice Principal Fr. Peter D’Souza: “Fr. Peter, I don’t fear to die but I fear to foresee that our future Goan youth would turn out violent”. What prophetic words were these from a priest who worked so hard to discipline the Goan youth then!! May the great soul of Goan Fr. Mendonca Rest In Peace. And may God save us and Goa from more more criminals.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Embracing him with a fatherly hug and true to the Christian teachings, the ex Bishop of Kuwait Mong. Frances Mechallef, a Maltese by nationality, according to my information when he visited Francis Araujo in the Kuwaiti prison awaiting the execution of his death sentence, a few months before the invasion of Kuwait, asked Araujo: “Why my son you had to commit such ghastly crimes?” With tears in his eyes, Francis Araujo from St. Cruz, Ilhas Goa, replied: “Your Lordship, really I lost my temper because both the Driver and Conductor of that Bus assaulted me very badly and humiliated me miserably. Hence, I could not control my temper and thus I stabbed both the Egyptian Driver and Turkish Conductor of the Bus”. This was done almost at the spur of the moment and was not planned much in advance. On the other hand, the crime committed on his father-in-law by Ryan Fernandes with the help of his other two accomplices Francis D’Sa and Rajan Singh was well planned much in advance in Goa two years back. According to the latest reports appearing from Goa, Ryan Fernandes a young man and the main accused was sentenced to death by the South Goa Session Court on last Friday and his other two partners in the same crime D’Sa and Singh were sentenced for life in prison. What a tragedy!!
Was it essential for Ryan Fernandes to kill his father-in-law in such a cruel manner in a well executed plan? It was in a very cruel manner he killed his father-in-law Dr. Shrikant Verenkar from Vasco by first abducting him when he was taking his regular morning walk. Using venomous Cobra and deadly injections to poison Dr. Verenkar were the other cruelest and foulest methods used in this heinous murder. The reputed Doctor from Vasco having his own Hospital was killed by torturing, the mastermind of this all was his young son-in-law Ryan Fernandes. What was the reason behind this murder and what was the fault of his doctor father-in-law? Yes, his fault was that he gave shelter to his daughter and wife of Ryan when she needed help to avoid harassment from her husband.
What is wrong with our young unmarried girls so as to fall in love with any Altu-Faltu boys without analyzing their real antecedents? What is wrong with our young girls to get attracted immediately to any boy without knowing and studying him well? Are our girls become so cheap to loaf and to flirt with any person without knowing his character and background? Yes, this is happening many times in our society now. Sarika, Ryan’s wife, was a young girl coming from a reputed family background and while doing her medical studies in Kholapur she fell in love with Ryan. Not only she fell in love with Ryan but because of this love she discontinued her glorious medical studies and became an unwed mother of Ryan’s child. According to the information Ryan coaxed Sarika because he had his eyes on the wealth of her father who was a prominent and rich doctor in Vasco. Sarika should have been little clever to analyse the steps of Rayan before succumbing to his wishes. As a medical student she should have been more clever and matured intellectually to know what is good and what is bad especially when she encountered a young man who was different from her in many respects. Many of the boys are now-a-days going after girls not because they love the girls whom they are coaxing but because of the wealth, influence and power of the parents and families of the girls. Also because of the affluence of the girls in many ways. This is not genuine love but genuine hostage taking of the girls by the crook boys to extort financial and other material benefits from the girls and girls’ parents by using the girls as extortion weapons.
Most of the present day parents are suffering humiliations and crimes only because of their daughters who put their innocent parents into shame by running after any boy whose character, discipline, education, cultural, traditional, family, religious and other attributes do not match with that of the girls. It all happens because young girls are reckless in selecting their life partners. It also happens because young girls fail to recognize their dignity, integrity, character and quality leading to becoming prey to the false promises of the loafer type of boys. The Western sense of WomenLib is yet another factor for our modern day girls to take law into their own hands to decide about their future. If they take the right decision then well and good but many times they take wrong decisions as Sarika has taken by falling in love with a misfit Rayan Fernandes because of which not only the girls put their lives into problems but more than that their wrong decisions put their innocent parents into shame and problems. Our elders, teachers and mainly Priests and religious leaders should give proper guidance to our youth especially young girls on this topic. Because, when our girls laugh their parents may not laugh with them but when they cry then definitely their parents and guides will also cry. How sad it is for the parents of the girls to see their daughters suffering from the hands of their husbands when they have undergone so beautiful, peaceful and decent life as spinsters in the homes of their parents!! Which loving parents will like to see their loving daughters crying under the custody of their hard hearted and cruel husbands?
I have been watching many of our parents in this part of the world crying and suffering because of the wrong decisions taken by their children while gone for studies in the West. Many of our young boys and girls during their stay in the West fall in love with someone whose national, cultural, educational, traditional, family and religious backgrounds are totally different from theirs. Many of such unions and marriages are turned into fiasco within a very short time. These are not marriages but legal contracts to commit adultery in the name of legal sex thru short term marriages. Can we do something about it? Many of our young boys and girls when they go to the West in the name of further studies they are getting lost to their parents, birth place Goa, Goan culture, Goan tradition and Goan society. Some of them turn out to be hippies and rebels. Every son and every daughter of our parents going for studies to the West is as good as almost dead to their parents.
Coming back to Ryan’s death sentence, if it is confirmed by the High Court and if it is executed then it will be the second time in Goa death sentence to be executed. First time it was in mid seventies when one Malyali Kumar was hanged at Aguada. To hang Kumar whose real name was Peter, especial gallows was installed because that was the first time such an incident took place in Goa. During Portuguese time, maximum sentence was for life, no death by hanging. If Ryan Fernandes’ execution goes ahead, where will it be in Goa? Again will it be at Aguada with yet another gallows to be installed?
By the way, why in Goa, our “Bhangarachem” Goa, our St. Francis “Saibachem” Goa, only Christians in big number commit deadly crimes? Why in our dearest Goa, only Christians are become gangsters, extortionists, robbers, rapists and rowdies in greater number? Where our discipline went wrong? Are our parents responsible for this lapse in their children? Are our community leaders failed in doing their proper duties in guiding our youth in right direction? Or our Church leaders and Priests failed us Christian community? While dying, the great Goan intellectual Fr. Mendonca the then Principal of St. Joseph’s High School Arpora uttered these words to his Vice Principal Fr. Peter D’Souza: “Fr. Peter, I don’t fear to die but I fear to foresee that our future Goan youth would turn out violent”. What prophetic words were these from a priest who worked so hard to discipline the Goan youth then!! May the great soul of Goan Fr. Mendonca Rest In Peace. And may God save us and Goa from more more criminals.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 19, 2007
MONTH'S MIND
MONTH'S MIND
A Requiem Mass will be held for the soul of our beloved CAROL COELHO on Saturday, 23rd June 2007 at 7:45 pm at St. Therese Church, Salmiya, Kuwait.
Offered by her sorrowful husband/children and family members.
Relatives and friends, kindly accept this as the only intimation.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait
LAST PORTUGUESE GOVERNADOR OF GOA
“VOCE TEM SACOLA?” Nao Senhor Governador. Em da ca (Venha aqui) and Governador took me aside and asked our Professor Oliveira from Calangute, to bring 12 students from the class (Primeiro Grau) coming from financially poor background and keep them along with me. “Voce tem Sakola” was the question posed to me by the then Goa’s Governador Vassalo e Silva who happened to be the last Portuguese Governor of Goa. He was very kind hearted man. He went to Aguada early in the morning on that day and while returning back to Panjim he halted in front of our School named after the great Goan genius and Hypnotist Abade de Faria who was born in my place Candolim and also in my Vaddo, Pintos Vaddo.
Faria’s ancestral house was 50 metres from our Portuguese School known as “Escola Primaria - Abade de Faria. It was in dilapidated condition though intact with cracks in the walls but decorated with huge big pillars. As young boys very often we were going to this house during the interval and used to embrace the big pillars and kiss the walls like mad just to get some inspiration of that great soul of Abade de Faria. Incidentally some of my colleagues doing this finally in their life achieved great laurels in diverse fields though none reached nearer to Abade de Faria. However, inspite of my embracing and kissing the walls of his ancestral house where Abade de Faria was born, I remained non-entity and most stupid amongst all while many others doing what I was doing reached very far.
On that most memorable day of my life, while our class was on – the subject going on at that time was “Historia de Portugal”, I suddenly saw one ordinary Jeep like Tata Sumo stopped in front of our school. Seeing that Jeep nobody would think such a highest official dignitary of Goa was sitting in that Jeep. But yes, it was the Governor of Goa. Governador was sitting on rear Seat and next to him his personal Paklo Secretary in “khaki” military uniform. Driver was also a Paklo in military uniform like the other one and next to the driver was his body guard a Paklo too similarly dressed as others. Only Governador was wearing neat and tidy Suit having handsome looks. His affectionate smile made him more handsome and attractive though he had a huge physical stature. Three persons in his jeep was the only entourage of the Govenor of Goa then. There was no pompousness nor “tamasha” as we see nowadays in Goa with our ministers. There were no Pilot Cars in front of his Jeep or behind. There were no police escort carrying big Riles, Guns and Machine Guns. He was just like any other ordinary citizen with only one bodyguard. That was the simplicity of the Governador Vassalo e Silva.
When our Professor Oliveira saw him getting down from his Jeep, he immediately hid under the Platform his big sticks thru which he was lashing us as if we were animals though according to the newly enacted decree by the Governador, corporal punishment to the students was prohibited. Hence, Professor Oliveira’s fear leading to hiding the big sticks under the Platform. When Governador reached to the main door of our Class, he stood there erect and asked our professor permission to enter inside. What a wonderful sense of discipline!!
On that most memorable day of my life, while our class was on – the subject going on at that time was “Historia de Portugal”, I suddenly saw one ordinary Jeep like Tata Sumo stopped in front of our school. Seeing that Jeep nobody would think such a highest official dignitary of Goa was sitting in that Jeep. But yes, it was the Governor of Goa. Governador was sitting on rear Seat and next to him his personal Paklo Secretary in “khaki” military uniform. Driver was also a Paklo in military uniform like the other one and next to the driver was his body guard a Paklo too similarly dressed as others. Only Governador was wearing neat and tidy Suit having handsome looks. His affectionate smile made him more handsome and attractive though he had a huge physical stature. Three persons in his jeep was the only entourage of the Govenor of Goa then. There was no pompousness nor “tamasha” as we see nowadays in Goa with our ministers. There were no Pilot Cars in front of his Jeep or behind. There were no police escort carrying big Riles, Guns and Machine Guns. He was just like any other ordinary citizen with only one bodyguard. That was the simplicity of the Governador Vassalo e Silva.
When our Professor Oliveira saw him getting down from his Jeep, he immediately hid under the Platform his big sticks thru which he was lashing us as if we were animals though according to the newly enacted decree by the Governador, corporal punishment to the students was prohibited. Hence, Professor Oliveira’s fear leading to hiding the big sticks under the Platform. When Governador reached to the main door of our Class, he stood there erect and asked our professor permission to enter inside. What a wonderful sense of discipline!!
When professor Oliveira said “most willingly your are welcome”, then Governador, his personal Secretary and one bodyguard entered in our class. While entering he gave a broad and fabulous spontaneous smile to all of us. Meantime we were all in readiness to welcome him with a big “BOM DIA SENHOR GOVERNADOR”, for which Governador replied smilingly “Bom Dia. Then he came walking straight to me where I was sitting on the first bench. When he reached next to my bench, he stopped and stood there and looking at me smilingly with the father’s look posed me that most memorable poser of my life: “VOCE TEM SACOLA?”. Instead of of answering him rightly “Nao Senhor Governador”, I was nervous knowing not how to answer to the highest authority of Goa at that young age. I was nervous because Governador surprised me, me an unknown entity coming from unknown background.
I could not believe how such a highest dignitary of Goa can condescend to my level and talk to me, me a small boy coming from small parents, me an ordinary creature of ordinary family in my village when in my class there were students coming from top echelon of the society whose parents even wined and dined with the same Governador in his Palace. Then seeing me nervous, Governador smiled and put his right hand in my desk and he himself checked whether I have a school bag (Sacola). Then he realized that my family background was not financially affluent. Hence he himself called me aside and told professor Oliveira to select another 11 students having no School Bags and coming from financially lower strata of the society. Incidentally and in tune with that time of Bhattkarshahi and Bamonshahi, our professor Oliveira selected all the 11 students boys and girls from the affluent parents and all from the top Bamon class.
It was not the Portuguese and its Governadors who kept us backward but our own Goan Bamon Bhattkars mainly the Christao. Portugese Governadors and Portuguese Government in Lisbon wanted advancement and development of Goa and Goans but our own Bhatkars and Bamons who had exploited us and kept us backward.
It was not the Portuguese and its Governadors who kept us backward but our own Goan Bamon Bhattkars mainly the Christao. Portugese Governadors and Portuguese Government in Lisbon wanted advancement and development of Goa and Goans but our own Bhatkars and Bamons who had exploited us and kept us backward.
Governador Vassalo e Silva was sent by the Portuguese Government of Salazar with specific instruction to elevate the standard of Goan masses. In view of this Governador Vassalo was doing his best to elevate and develop the masses. If Goa’s invasion was not executed with the best of Chicanery of Nehru’s Congress Government with the connivance of Russia and lies of Malyali Krishna Menon, the then Defence Minister of India, Goa would have been a golden place for Goans. Now since December 1961, Goa is become “Kuslolem” due to the influx of “kuslole” Bharati descended on Goa from all over “kuslolem” Bharat who have been “kusoing” Goa very systematically.
17th of this month, Herald brought a nice photograph of Governador Vassalo e Silva during his last private and friendly visit to Goa on June 18th 1980. Governador Vassalo e Silva was a very kind hearted person and a great lover of Goa and Goans. It was thru his personal decision that he defied the orders of Salazar to bomb and destroy Goa instead of handing it peacefully on silver platter to Bharat. If he had to follow the instructions of Salazar, today Goa and Goans would not be existing. If Goa and Goans are still surviving it was only because of the wise decision of Governador Vassalo e Silva. In view of this, we Goans owe our gratitude to this Portuguese Governador. To keep his memory alive and fresh and for posterity to know how benevolent he was for Goa and Goans, it will be very appropriate for all Goans irrespective of caste and credd to join together and erect his Monument in Panjim. If in Goan history anybody deserves this privilege of Monument then it is none other than the last and late Portuguese Governador of Goa – Vassalo e Silva. May his Goa Loving Soul Rest in Peace.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
17th of this month, Herald brought a nice photograph of Governador Vassalo e Silva during his last private and friendly visit to Goa on June 18th 1980. Governador Vassalo e Silva was a very kind hearted person and a great lover of Goa and Goans. It was thru his personal decision that he defied the orders of Salazar to bomb and destroy Goa instead of handing it peacefully on silver platter to Bharat. If he had to follow the instructions of Salazar, today Goa and Goans would not be existing. If Goa and Goans are still surviving it was only because of the wise decision of Governador Vassalo e Silva. In view of this, we Goans owe our gratitude to this Portuguese Governador. To keep his memory alive and fresh and for posterity to know how benevolent he was for Goa and Goans, it will be very appropriate for all Goans irrespective of caste and credd to join together and erect his Monument in Panjim. If in Goan history anybody deserves this privilege of Monument then it is none other than the last and late Portuguese Governador of Goa – Vassalo e Silva. May his Goa Loving Soul Rest in Peace.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 16, 2007
T-Bush is back with BLACK
T-Bush is back with BLACK- by gasper crasto
Kuwait: Winner of 3 International Awards for his Short Film 'The Letter', Goa born writer-director T-Bush is back with a full length, mega feature film entitled 'BLACK'.
The film by 'T-Bush International Films' shot entirely in Kuwait is set for a grand release on August 10, 2007 at Al Masrah, Hawally Auditorium.
T-Bush's first directorial debut 'The Letter', a moving story of a father who desires to recreate a lost relationship with his estranged daughter was awarded 'Best Film' at the International Short Film Festival at London in 2005. The short film has all the appearances of being shot in the United States. But the truth is that the entire movie was shot at locales in Kuwait.
T-Bush used a troupe of eager volunteers from the American Embassy in Kuwait to ensure his film had an authentic cast of characters and he included numerous dashes of Americana in the sets to complete the impression of the film being shot in US. The editing process, however, was so superior and advanced that it altogether altered scenes that didn't have an American feel.'The Letter' also won T-Bush Best Technical Award and Best Director from among hundreds of directors of International fame and repute. T-Bush came into immediate recognition through this film and there was no turning back for the gifted director.
BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion
The new film written, directed and produced by T-Bush under his production banner 'T-Bush International Films' will be in Konkani language and will include a select Indian cast from Kuwait. The entire film is shot in Kuwait but the audience is sure to have a surprise when they see it.
The young genius who is passionate about film making with his adept and innovative ideas is optimistic about 'BLACK' being an 'extraordinary movie'. He says, "The whole story has a simple plot. But for all the briskness of the plot, quite a lot happens." He further adds that, "It's a colossal effort creating a full-fledged movie considering the ups in a working country like Kuwait with schedules of shoot crammed up only at weekends and at select locations approved by Kuwait government at limited scenic sites."
The film will be screened on a wide screen with high quality 'E-Cinema Technology' projection. It is sure to be an entertaining film and certain to capture hearts of all communities. The most essential element that will make the film an even more rewarding experience will be the audio-visual effect synchronized into a 5.1 DTS sound.
T-Bush says he has no immediate intentions of converting the movie into home videos which he feels will degrade the originality and standard of the movie.
Synopsis The movie revolves around a musician who is involved in trivial assignments of traditional music. Culture and music means everything to the self-born maestro who just cannot give up on his passion for music. His effort to persuade the young genre to keep the art living in the face of fading tradition runs to an emotional zenith as the movie unfolds."
VisionThere are countless regional language films that are released every year not to mention mega blockbusters in Hindi that hit the international market. But when it comes to Konkani language, it is a rarity. According to T-Bush, "Konkani film producers are more accustomed in making low budget, sub-standard home videos rather than endeavoring in films of international quality."
The first Konkani film, 'Mogacho Aunddo' on silver screen released on 24th April 1957 still stands among one of the most unmatched, classic Indian films made in history.
The exceptional director further adds, "The joy of working in films is great, but I always yearn for excellence. I wish to make my projects in a new way and with new ideas. Numerous movies of different languages are released every year with different writers, directors and casts. But the only common thread to a captivating movie is the director's genius. Each story must stand alone and be engrossing and engaging by themselves. Each must be as successful, clever and unique as the others."
Over the years, the young director has contributed incredible behind-the-scenes support to many stage shows and dramas with his audio-visuals and directional inputs.
Right from his childhood days T-Bush has been living with a dream, and that is to contribute in the attempt of giving regional language films their rightful place on the map of cinema world. His effort in 'creating strength out of thin air' with the release of BLACK is sure to establish T-Bush as a director of immense potential and caliber.
Since his early teens at St. Joseph's Convent - Nagoa, Salcete - Goa, T-Bush has visualized the world around him. At the Goa College of Arts he gained a strong dispersal of ideas to see things in a new vision. And to set himself on the road to professionalism and perfection, T-Bush graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art, majoring in Audio-Visual from the Goa University, India.
He further mastered the Art of Film Making and TV Production at the London Film School, United Kingdom with the main intention of sharing his dreams with the world.
Director's Dexterity In his short career in film making, T-Bush had the fortune of brushing shoulders with eminent Hollywood and European film-makers like Bob Doyle, David Caffrey, Julian Doyle, Brendan McGinty, Rachel Tillotson, Steve Brook Smith, John Keates, Robert Brunning, Brian Donovan, Jean Dedieau, Steve Cookson, Marcia Gay (Line Producer for the film Harry Potter) and others.
T-Bush has maintained extensive knowledge after working with some of the seasoned producers and directors and is intimately aware of the challenges and pitfalls they face.
He learned to fend for himself in this complicated world and the experience he gained has prompted him toward a radical lifestyle change. He says, "Having contributed in the making of films with these producers and directors I discovered that I had the ability and drive to embark on my own film production."
"BLACK will portray my ability to access the inner emotions of other people's lives and experiences. It will delve into the psychology of each viewer and will touch them, move them, and make them weep and laugh at the same time. The realistic side of the movie will thrill the audience into extreme sensations." concluded T-Bush.
More detail on the main characters in the film and their role will be presented in these pages to keep readers engaged and fully in tune running down to the release. For more on T-Bush International films log on to http://www.t-bush.com
(The above News report appeared in Kuwait's Arab Times dated 31.05.2006)
This is in reply to Vikrant's below mentioned email.
Can you first identify yourself more elaborately so that I know I am answering to a genuine person and secondly can you justify your statement by citing exactly where you feel I am "always against Hindus?"
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
K R A N T I
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
June 15, 2007
Re: DIGAMBER KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA
vikrant has left a new comment on your post "DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA":
To: A. Veronica Fernandes,
Why are you always against Hindus?
Vikrant
Posted by KRANTI at 10:10 PM 0 comments Links to this post
DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA
DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA.Soon after taking Oath of his Chief Ministership of Goa, Digambar Kamat from Margao constituency went to pay his homage to the Statue of anti-Goan, anti-Konkani and anti-Christian the late Dayananda Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa and also to the Statue of pro-Goan, pro-Konkani, secular and genuine Goan the late Dr. Jack de Sequeira who was true Goan son of his true Goan father
Can you first identify yourself more elaborately so that I know I am answering to a genuine person and secondly can you justify your statement by citing exactly where you feel I am "always against Hindus?"
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
K R A N T I
--No plans in this revolution are written for retreat--
June 15, 2007
Re: DIGAMBER KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA
vikrant has left a new comment on your post "DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA":
To: A. Veronica Fernandes,
Why are you always against Hindus?
Vikrant
Posted by KRANTI at 10:10 PM 0 comments Links to this post
DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA
DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA.Soon after taking Oath of his Chief Ministership of Goa, Digambar Kamat from Margao constituency went to pay his homage to the Statue of anti-Goan, anti-Konkani and anti-Christian the late Dayananda Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa and also to the Statue of pro-Goan, pro-Konkani, secular and genuine Goan the late Dr. Jack de Sequeira who was true Goan son of his true Goan father
June 15, 2007
Re: DIGAMBER KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA
vikrant has left a new comment on your post "DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA":
To: A. Veronica Fernandes,
Why are you always against Hindus?
Vikrant
To: A. Veronica Fernandes,
Why are you always against Hindus?
Vikrant
DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA
DIGAMBAR KAMAT INSULTED DR. JACK SEQUEIRA.
Soon after taking Oath of his Chief Ministership of Goa, Digambar Kamat from Margao constituency went to pay his homage to the Statue of anti-Goan, anti-Konkani and anti-Christian the late Dayananda Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa and also to the Statue of pro-Goan, pro-Konkani, secular and genuine Goan the late Dr. Jack de Sequeira who was true Goan son of his true Goan father and not illegitimately fathered by the Portuguese soldier. Paying homage to Bandodkar was surely in mind of Digambar Kamat because I am sure going to the Statue of Dr. Sequeira was the last minute advice to him by his Saraswat Brahmin advisers who are more fanatic communal than ordinary illiterate and ignorant communals. It was an act of a cunning man to fool and gain the goodwill of Christians. Digambar Kamat as an ally of BJP cannot be a secular man. By virtue of being a BJP MLA and Montri earlier Kamat should be a fanatic Hindu hating Christians and Muslims. As a BJP man he should think of Hindu Raj only. A BJP man cannot be a secular or well wisher of Christians in Goa. Digambar Kamat knows that as a Chief Minister of Goa he is walking on a very thin rope which can at any moment tear and drown him into the Mandovi River while returning home from Porvorim. Since Bandodkar was anti-Christian like BJP men, in tune with anti-Christian feelings, Digambar Kamat’s going to Bandodkar Statue to pay him homage was in right direction. But paying homage to the Statue of Dr. Jack De Sequeira was a blasphemous act. It was a chicanery of first grade. Digamkar Kamat has no love for Dr. Sequeira and his ideals. If Kamat had love and respect for the ideals of Dr. Jack de Sequeira then he would have created an initiative of keeping the memory of Dr. Jack De Sequeira glittering by erecting the Statute of Dr. Jack Sequeira anywhere in Goa if not in his own constituency which would have been a much better venue than Panjim and Calangute.
Christians in Goa always made themselves easy prey for getting fooled by the anti-Christian elements. Bandodkar at the later stages started coaxing Christians by visiting Churches, patronising famous Colva Fama and going to the Bishop Palace in Panjim Altinho to congratulate the appointment of the previous Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves when He was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Goa. This was a big tamasha Bandodkar did and to fool the Christians that he is with them he made it an obligation for the Press in Goa to publicise the photographs of these happenings in Goan Newspapers including Nawhind Times which was then read by the overwhelming majority of Christians in Goa. In tune with Bandodkar’s style of fooling the Christians, Digambar Kamat again to fool the Christians, three days back went to one of the Churches in Goa and prayed for the inspiration of Holy Spirit to guide him to do his duties as CM. By asking Holy Spirit Digambar Kamat committed another sin of blasphemy. Because of this sin of blasphemy Digambar Kamat will never get guidance from from Holy Spirit nor Jesus Christ because Digambar Kamat must fall and his communal Congress Party must also fall because Congressmen are full of sins and such sinful people should never be allowed to rule Goa lest they spread sins all over Goa which may help convert Goa into another Soddom and Gomorrah. Universal God will never help such sinful people. Universal God will punish sinful people because they deserve punishment. Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit will never support such sinful people. Neither Ram nor Allah. To give them support and guidance will be like destroying the people of Goa. Universal God will never help anyone to destroy Goa because God’s presence is there in the sacred soil of Goa
When PDF Government was formed in Goa I still remember how Churchill Alemao went to the Hindu Temple and did swear there on the coconut which is the sign of Hinduism. This act of Churchill was an act of anti-Christian. Christians do not perform such practices, such practices are against Christian doctrine. But it was done to fool the Hindu masses. These type of practices have got lot of chicanery but these politicians for their survival and to fool the masses will not only embrace any religion but will even trample under their dirty feet their own religions and also the signs and relics of their own religions.
Going back to Digambar Kamat, his obeisance to Dr. Jack de Sequiera should be treated as an act of insult to the great Goan secular soul of Dr. Sequeira. Digambar Kamat has no moral obligation nor any right to pay respect to the Statue of Dr. Sequeira. There is a saying in Konkani “Mezailem Kellem kaddlem ani Saguad zoddli”. This is what exactly Digambar Kamat did. By making best use of the already erected Statue of Dr. Sequeira by the private parties and not by the Goa Government, Digambar Kamat did exactly what the above proverb said. As a member of Rane’s Cabinet Digambar Kamat never thought of initiating any move to help erect the Statue of Dr. Sequeira to keep his memory fresh but when it was found ready made he used it only to fool the Christians. Going to this Statue was not an act of respect but an act of insult to Dr. Jack de Sequeira and to all his followers and all the supporters of Goa, Konkani and secularism.
Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Soon after taking Oath of his Chief Ministership of Goa, Digambar Kamat from Margao constituency went to pay his homage to the Statue of anti-Goan, anti-Konkani and anti-Christian the late Dayananda Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa and also to the Statue of pro-Goan, pro-Konkani, secular and genuine Goan the late Dr. Jack de Sequeira who was true Goan son of his true Goan father and not illegitimately fathered by the Portuguese soldier. Paying homage to Bandodkar was surely in mind of Digambar Kamat because I am sure going to the Statue of Dr. Sequeira was the last minute advice to him by his Saraswat Brahmin advisers who are more fanatic communal than ordinary illiterate and ignorant communals. It was an act of a cunning man to fool and gain the goodwill of Christians. Digambar Kamat as an ally of BJP cannot be a secular man. By virtue of being a BJP MLA and Montri earlier Kamat should be a fanatic Hindu hating Christians and Muslims. As a BJP man he should think of Hindu Raj only. A BJP man cannot be a secular or well wisher of Christians in Goa. Digambar Kamat knows that as a Chief Minister of Goa he is walking on a very thin rope which can at any moment tear and drown him into the Mandovi River while returning home from Porvorim. Since Bandodkar was anti-Christian like BJP men, in tune with anti-Christian feelings, Digambar Kamat’s going to Bandodkar Statue to pay him homage was in right direction. But paying homage to the Statue of Dr. Jack De Sequeira was a blasphemous act. It was a chicanery of first grade. Digamkar Kamat has no love for Dr. Sequeira and his ideals. If Kamat had love and respect for the ideals of Dr. Jack de Sequeira then he would have created an initiative of keeping the memory of Dr. Jack De Sequeira glittering by erecting the Statute of Dr. Jack Sequeira anywhere in Goa if not in his own constituency which would have been a much better venue than Panjim and Calangute.
Christians in Goa always made themselves easy prey for getting fooled by the anti-Christian elements. Bandodkar at the later stages started coaxing Christians by visiting Churches, patronising famous Colva Fama and going to the Bishop Palace in Panjim Altinho to congratulate the appointment of the previous Patriarch Rahul Gonsalves when He was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Goa. This was a big tamasha Bandodkar did and to fool the Christians that he is with them he made it an obligation for the Press in Goa to publicise the photographs of these happenings in Goan Newspapers including Nawhind Times which was then read by the overwhelming majority of Christians in Goa. In tune with Bandodkar’s style of fooling the Christians, Digambar Kamat again to fool the Christians, three days back went to one of the Churches in Goa and prayed for the inspiration of Holy Spirit to guide him to do his duties as CM. By asking Holy Spirit Digambar Kamat committed another sin of blasphemy. Because of this sin of blasphemy Digambar Kamat will never get guidance from from Holy Spirit nor Jesus Christ because Digambar Kamat must fall and his communal Congress Party must also fall because Congressmen are full of sins and such sinful people should never be allowed to rule Goa lest they spread sins all over Goa which may help convert Goa into another Soddom and Gomorrah. Universal God will never help such sinful people. Universal God will punish sinful people because they deserve punishment. Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit will never support such sinful people. Neither Ram nor Allah. To give them support and guidance will be like destroying the people of Goa. Universal God will never help anyone to destroy Goa because God’s presence is there in the sacred soil of Goa
When PDF Government was formed in Goa I still remember how Churchill Alemao went to the Hindu Temple and did swear there on the coconut which is the sign of Hinduism. This act of Churchill was an act of anti-Christian. Christians do not perform such practices, such practices are against Christian doctrine. But it was done to fool the Hindu masses. These type of practices have got lot of chicanery but these politicians for their survival and to fool the masses will not only embrace any religion but will even trample under their dirty feet their own religions and also the signs and relics of their own religions.
Going back to Digambar Kamat, his obeisance to Dr. Jack de Sequiera should be treated as an act of insult to the great Goan secular soul of Dr. Sequeira. Digambar Kamat has no moral obligation nor any right to pay respect to the Statue of Dr. Sequeira. There is a saying in Konkani “Mezailem Kellem kaddlem ani Saguad zoddli”. This is what exactly Digambar Kamat did. By making best use of the already erected Statue of Dr. Sequeira by the private parties and not by the Goa Government, Digambar Kamat did exactly what the above proverb said. As a member of Rane’s Cabinet Digambar Kamat never thought of initiating any move to help erect the Statue of Dr. Sequeira to keep his memory fresh but when it was found ready made he used it only to fool the Christians. Going to this Statue was not an act of respect but an act of insult to Dr. Jack de Sequeira and to all his followers and all the supporters of Goa, Konkani and secularism.
Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
June 10, 2007
R.I.P. MGP.
R.I.P. MGP.
Robert Stevenson in one of his novels rightly said that “Punishment comes lame footed”. Yes, it comes either today or tomorrow but it certainly comes and finally it came for Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party when in the recently held election it lost miserably winning only 2 Seats. MGP is such a fake party it was formed by the adopted Goans whose main motto was to liquidate the identity of Goa, Goan culture, Goan tradition, Goan history and above all the traditional Goan religious amity. For over 15 years from the time of the exit of Portuguese from Goa, MGP ruled over Goa giving the testimony of its anti-Goan, anti-Konkani and above all anti-Christian exercises. It survived on the fallacy that they propagated saying Goa belongs to Hindus only – one of their stalwarts once even called Goan Christao as “Dukor”, they survived on the weakness of the “hoi polloi” Hindus who were told that Christao are their worst enemies.
MGP survived on the slogan it passed on to their intellectually poor followers that during the Portuguese time Christao enjoyed better facilities than the Hindus and hence Hindus must teach Christao a very good lesson now. In the bargain Goan brother became enemy of his own Goan brother of course from different religious affinity. There appeared a rift between Goan Christao and Goan Hindu imposed forcibly by MGP. In fact during the Portuguese regime Goan Hindus enjoyed better dividends. They captured Government jobs in good number. The entire Mining industry was owned and controlled by the Hindus, almost entire Goan Commerce was into the hands of Hindus, almost all the agencies of imported foreign goods was their monopoly. Christao made little money only by migrating to Bombay and other parts of the world including Africa and Gulf. Whatever MGP told to its followers against Christao was nothing but pure lies. The aim of MGP was to detach everything Goanness from Goa and also uproot genuine Goans and dilute the same in the big ocean of Maharastra by making Goa as part of Maharastra and in the bargain liquidate Konkani and in its place impose a foreign language Marathi into Goa. The purpose of this exercise is to destabilize Goan Christao from Goa, make them unwanted in Goa and treat them as Jews in the Naziland. Incidentally this process of destabilization of Christao is still going on with the blessings of BJP under Parrikar and all the ex MGP partymen now turned into Congressmen.
When this tirade against Goa, Goans and Konkani was going on in Goa under the leadership of MGP, we were new comers to Kuwait. We immediately created our front in Kuwait to oppose MGP dadagiri in Goa. We created our front in Kuwait to support Konkani cause and thru it the cause of Statehood for Goa. Besides us in Kuwait, nobody anywhere in the world outside Goa formed such a mighty front to support the cause of Goa and Konkani. We formed associations and committees to raise funds for the cause of Konkani. Lakhs of rupees were sent from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani and because of it Konkani movement in Goa got a big booster. For example, Novem Goem Prastishtan, Konkani Porjecho Avaz, Konkani Martys Funds, Donations for the promotion of Konkani Magazines like Gulab, financial aid for Konkani Books like Fr. Antonio Pereira’s “Konkani Voparinchem Bhanddar” etc. Our dearest and nearest in Goa were instructed not to support MGP and not to vote for MGP candidates. Our relatives were instructed to give non-cooperation to MGP and its stalwarts and supporters. We went to Goa on vacations and taking advantage of this we participated in the agitations, morchas and even hunger strikes in support of Konkani because Konkani is the soul of Goa. Without Konkani no separate statehood was possible for Goa. Hence, the need of the recognition of Konkani and based on it alone finally the statehood for Goa was granted.
I salute all our colleagues and associates who fought with us and supported us for the victory of Konkani. To wage this battle from Kuwait where sometimes one finds no time even to eat his food properly and no proper place to rest and sleep, was not an easy task but, we, like mad people carried it forward by forgetting all our personal and family needs. We did less or no savings from what little we earned but spent more or everything after Konkani cause for the sake of Goa. Only because we are mad that we succeeded in creating a revolution from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani. And who makes revolutions? Only the mad people like us make revolutions – Mad not mentally but mad for the cause, mad ideologically. Many or most of our colleagues and supporters are no more in Kuwait now but their precious support at that time helped us to fight the brute might of MGP which was fighting against Konkani. When I just think of our movements in this direction I myself just cannot imagine how I could manage to give leaderships in Kuwait for so many Konkani causes for the survival and upliftment of Konkani. Moreover, I just cannot understand how such a mighty force of Kuwait Goans supported us and followed our direction for the cause of Konkani which MGP wanted to liquidate and in its place implant Marathi. Before my coming to Kuwait, there was no move in Kuwait to fight for the cause of Konkani and many of the Goan causes in Goa. It was not that Konkani cause was not existing then but surely right leadership, appropriate direction and genuine guidance from upright, genuine and selfless leaders was missing. Hence, our entry into this space which was rightly supported by our followers.
It is with pride we say congratulations to all our colleagues and supporters who so vigorously fought for the cause of Konkani against MGP’s move. We Kuwaitkars are partly responsible for helping the liquidation of MGP. After the victory of Konkani and Statehood MGP lost major plank to fight for its cause. With the victory of 2 candidates in the last election, MGP is consigned to permanent flames from where it will never come back. These two elected MLA’s have no principles and neither their voters who during the election campaign shouted slogans against Congress and worked against Congress by creating Congress as their worst enemy. Now, these same 2 MLAs are joining Congress shameless. They are like prostitutes ready to sleep with anyone offering money. This is the culture of MGP. Ramakant Khalap and Shashikala Kakodkar are also consigned to eternal flames. They are the worst enemies of Goa working against the interest of Goa and Konkani by standing under the shade of MGP Umbrella. They got their punishment deservingly. And during my last so many years of political experience I noticed one thing that those people who harassed us, that is, genuine Goans working for the cause of Goa and Konkani finally suffered too much in Goan political field, they are become very depressed and dejected and lost in political life forever.
In this election MGP got 2 Seats but in future, they will get a big ZERO which will send it into total liquidation. It has no more value in Goa because its main objectives like liquidation of Konkani and merging Goa with Maharastra have failed eternally. We from Kuwait also worked for this failure. Their third and the only remaining objective, i.e., liquidation of Christao and Christianity from Goa is taken over by their colleague BJP. Will BJP succeed where MGP failed? Never. Goa is not North India nor Gujarat. Goa is unique with its totally different characteristics unlike those that are existing elsewhere in India. Meantime, will the present Goan generation working in Kuwait help Goa and Goans in demolishing the nasty head of BJP as we seniors did for MGP from Kuwait? Though I have my doubts yet time alone will give the testimony.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
Robert Stevenson in one of his novels rightly said that “Punishment comes lame footed”. Yes, it comes either today or tomorrow but it certainly comes and finally it came for Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party when in the recently held election it lost miserably winning only 2 Seats. MGP is such a fake party it was formed by the adopted Goans whose main motto was to liquidate the identity of Goa, Goan culture, Goan tradition, Goan history and above all the traditional Goan religious amity. For over 15 years from the time of the exit of Portuguese from Goa, MGP ruled over Goa giving the testimony of its anti-Goan, anti-Konkani and above all anti-Christian exercises. It survived on the fallacy that they propagated saying Goa belongs to Hindus only – one of their stalwarts once even called Goan Christao as “Dukor”, they survived on the weakness of the “hoi polloi” Hindus who were told that Christao are their worst enemies.
MGP survived on the slogan it passed on to their intellectually poor followers that during the Portuguese time Christao enjoyed better facilities than the Hindus and hence Hindus must teach Christao a very good lesson now. In the bargain Goan brother became enemy of his own Goan brother of course from different religious affinity. There appeared a rift between Goan Christao and Goan Hindu imposed forcibly by MGP. In fact during the Portuguese regime Goan Hindus enjoyed better dividends. They captured Government jobs in good number. The entire Mining industry was owned and controlled by the Hindus, almost entire Goan Commerce was into the hands of Hindus, almost all the agencies of imported foreign goods was their monopoly. Christao made little money only by migrating to Bombay and other parts of the world including Africa and Gulf. Whatever MGP told to its followers against Christao was nothing but pure lies. The aim of MGP was to detach everything Goanness from Goa and also uproot genuine Goans and dilute the same in the big ocean of Maharastra by making Goa as part of Maharastra and in the bargain liquidate Konkani and in its place impose a foreign language Marathi into Goa. The purpose of this exercise is to destabilize Goan Christao from Goa, make them unwanted in Goa and treat them as Jews in the Naziland. Incidentally this process of destabilization of Christao is still going on with the blessings of BJP under Parrikar and all the ex MGP partymen now turned into Congressmen.
When this tirade against Goa, Goans and Konkani was going on in Goa under the leadership of MGP, we were new comers to Kuwait. We immediately created our front in Kuwait to oppose MGP dadagiri in Goa. We created our front in Kuwait to support Konkani cause and thru it the cause of Statehood for Goa. Besides us in Kuwait, nobody anywhere in the world outside Goa formed such a mighty front to support the cause of Goa and Konkani. We formed associations and committees to raise funds for the cause of Konkani. Lakhs of rupees were sent from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani and because of it Konkani movement in Goa got a big booster. For example, Novem Goem Prastishtan, Konkani Porjecho Avaz, Konkani Martys Funds, Donations for the promotion of Konkani Magazines like Gulab, financial aid for Konkani Books like Fr. Antonio Pereira’s “Konkani Voparinchem Bhanddar” etc. Our dearest and nearest in Goa were instructed not to support MGP and not to vote for MGP candidates. Our relatives were instructed to give non-cooperation to MGP and its stalwarts and supporters. We went to Goa on vacations and taking advantage of this we participated in the agitations, morchas and even hunger strikes in support of Konkani because Konkani is the soul of Goa. Without Konkani no separate statehood was possible for Goa. Hence, the need of the recognition of Konkani and based on it alone finally the statehood for Goa was granted.
I salute all our colleagues and associates who fought with us and supported us for the victory of Konkani. To wage this battle from Kuwait where sometimes one finds no time even to eat his food properly and no proper place to rest and sleep, was not an easy task but, we, like mad people carried it forward by forgetting all our personal and family needs. We did less or no savings from what little we earned but spent more or everything after Konkani cause for the sake of Goa. Only because we are mad that we succeeded in creating a revolution from Kuwait for the cause of Konkani. And who makes revolutions? Only the mad people like us make revolutions – Mad not mentally but mad for the cause, mad ideologically. Many or most of our colleagues and supporters are no more in Kuwait now but their precious support at that time helped us to fight the brute might of MGP which was fighting against Konkani. When I just think of our movements in this direction I myself just cannot imagine how I could manage to give leaderships in Kuwait for so many Konkani causes for the survival and upliftment of Konkani. Moreover, I just cannot understand how such a mighty force of Kuwait Goans supported us and followed our direction for the cause of Konkani which MGP wanted to liquidate and in its place implant Marathi. Before my coming to Kuwait, there was no move in Kuwait to fight for the cause of Konkani and many of the Goan causes in Goa. It was not that Konkani cause was not existing then but surely right leadership, appropriate direction and genuine guidance from upright, genuine and selfless leaders was missing. Hence, our entry into this space which was rightly supported by our followers.
It is with pride we say congratulations to all our colleagues and supporters who so vigorously fought for the cause of Konkani against MGP’s move. We Kuwaitkars are partly responsible for helping the liquidation of MGP. After the victory of Konkani and Statehood MGP lost major plank to fight for its cause. With the victory of 2 candidates in the last election, MGP is consigned to permanent flames from where it will never come back. These two elected MLA’s have no principles and neither their voters who during the election campaign shouted slogans against Congress and worked against Congress by creating Congress as their worst enemy. Now, these same 2 MLAs are joining Congress shameless. They are like prostitutes ready to sleep with anyone offering money. This is the culture of MGP. Ramakant Khalap and Shashikala Kakodkar are also consigned to eternal flames. They are the worst enemies of Goa working against the interest of Goa and Konkani by standing under the shade of MGP Umbrella. They got their punishment deservingly. And during my last so many years of political experience I noticed one thing that those people who harassed us, that is, genuine Goans working for the cause of Goa and Konkani finally suffered too much in Goan political field, they are become very depressed and dejected and lost in political life forever.
In this election MGP got 2 Seats but in future, they will get a big ZERO which will send it into total liquidation. It has no more value in Goa because its main objectives like liquidation of Konkani and merging Goa with Maharastra have failed eternally. We from Kuwait also worked for this failure. Their third and the only remaining objective, i.e., liquidation of Christao and Christianity from Goa is taken over by their colleague BJP. Will BJP succeed where MGP failed? Never. Goa is not North India nor Gujarat. Goa is unique with its totally different characteristics unlike those that are existing elsewhere in India. Meantime, will the present Goan generation working in Kuwait help Goa and Goans in demolishing the nasty head of BJP as we seniors did for MGP from Kuwait? Though I have my doubts yet time alone will give the testimony.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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